DIY counter current skimmer

[guerry]

ok guys/gals this for anyone not wanting to spend the $2,000. to $3,000. for a skimmer and still want air production of 2000lph + of micro bubble air. This is not anything new just over looked with all the new super skimmers out there today. What I'm going to do here show here how to use the basic laws of skimming to build your own super skimmer. Here's a good link to old school skimmer basics http://www.hawkfish.org/snailman/skimmer101.htm">http://www.hawkfish.org/snailman/skimmer101.htm</a> For my system which is alittle over 300gal I used 8" arcylic tube to build a 34" tall skimmer which will fit under my cabnet, flow to skimmer comes from overflow and I also installed inlet for Bio-Pellets for total inflow of 225gph. My first attemp used a flat plate design air diffuser shown here
[IMG]http://i1017.photobucket.com/albums/af298/rgfast/IMG_0145-1.jpg alt="" />

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this did work but was limitted to 14lpm of air, pic of first design

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more later

 

[grouper therapy]

1st thing What is that in the glass on the rip fence?
2nd How many tanks are in the shop?
3rd When are you gonna straighten up the shop? j/k
4th COOL!!!!!! I need more pics.

 

[rdnelson]

Following along. Wondering if this could be scaled down to a smaller version. I love DIY and since I can't shell out for a new skimmer.........

 

[guerry]

grouper therapy;713976 wrote: 1st thing What is that in the glass on the rip fence?
2nd How many tanks are in the shop?
3rd When are you gonna straighten up the shop? j/k
4th COOL!!!!!! I need more pics.

1st thats mountain dew on the 4" alum. box tube I use for clamping arcylic for scraping edges
2nd five 300,240,125,80 and 65gal don't think I missed any LOL
3rd when you come help LOL
4th will do

Edit:

rdnelson99;713997 wrote: Following along. Wondering if this could be scaled down to a smaller version. I love DIY and since I can't shell out for a new skimmer.........

yes, if you follow guide lines in skimmer 101 link above it gives you all sizes and flowcharts you'd need for any size system volume

 

[grouper therapy]

Guerry;714030 wrote: 1st thats mountain dew on the 4" alum. box tube I use for clamping arcylic for scraping edges
2nd five 300,240,125,80 and 65gal don't think I missed any LOL
3rd when you come help LOL
4th will do

Edit:

yes, if you follow guide lines in skimmer 101 link above it gives you all sizes and flowcharts you'd need for any size system volume

I will if I get off the wallet and come get that shaper.

 

[guerry]

ok here's pic's of my skimmer in action, I'd like to add that this is the best skimmer I've ever built or bought and that I've up graded to Deep Water Innovations Boss-Hog Mirco pore oxygen diffuser which I'm feeding with an Alita Al-15SA air pump producing 20lpm

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here's pic. of stand I made for the Alita to rest on

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also the air pump works as vaccume/pressure and the vac, inlet is conented to my co2 scruber

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this pic. lets you see plumbing to skimmer the 1" is from overflow and the 1/2" clear line is from Bio-Pellet reactor

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Edit:

grouper therapy;714036 wrote: I will if I get off the wallet and come get that shaper.

I wish you would that would help me pay for my cnc router

 

[hud3339]

Very nice!!!!! Maybe you should change professions?

 

[guerry]

I hope it's not out of line to forward you to a couple of great threads outside of ARC but a good friend of mine Mike (mojo) is much better explaining this than myself so here you go and after reading these if theres something else that I can help explain just ask away and this should also answer your ? of skimmate color
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/f14/skimming-numbers-59522/">http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/f14/skimming-numbers-59522/</a>
[IMG]http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/f12/bored-so-lets-design-skimmer-61876/">http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/f12/bored-so-lets-design-skimmer-61876/</a>