DIY Skimmer Advice

[michaeldaly]

I thought I'd try to DIY myself a new skimmer and have been looking at plans on the wb. There are a few things that confuse me a little.

Is a downdraft skimmer or recirculating needle wheel skimmer more efficient.

When looking at plans for downdraft skimmers I have found two different types. One where the downdraft tube is filled with BIO balls and the other where there are no bioballs in the downdraft tube.

Also is there a site that has a good diagram of an injector for a downdraft skimmer

 

[Andrew]

Hard to say on which one would work better best because it all depends on the skimmer dimentions and the type of pump.

 

[andycook]

Re: DIY Skimmer Advice

That is a loaded question. They are different technologies, not necessarily one better than the other.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7726528#post7726528 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by michaeldaly
Is a downdraft skimmer or recirculating needle wheel skimmer more efficient.

The traditional downdraft has the tube filled with bioballs. The skimmer without the bioballs is probably a beckett skimmer, which is yet another technology.

Enjoy the R&D.

 

[ChemE]

My next DIY skimmer for my new 190 is going to be based on a recirc NW and I'm probably one of the most energy efficient nuts on Reef Central. I'm probably going to do something a little different than what has been done before so it will either be a miserable failure (probable) or a uncompromising blend between a recirc NW and a CC airstone skimmer (possible but not probable).

 

[michaeldaly]

The skimmer will be used on a 65g reef and has to fit in the sump under the tank. For the size of tank what would be the best skimmer design, and what would be the easiest skimmer to DIY

 

[Ocean Man 1]

hey check out
www.ozreef.org
they have heaps goood DIY ideas

 

[Ocean Man 1]

i'm planning on making one of my own when i get my new tank 4'2'2'. try using google for DIY plans and think it out as there lots of different designs..
let us know which one you chose and the progress.
:cheers:

 

[Horace]

All I can tell you is to get a GOOD PUMP! The pump is pretty crucial. I actually plan on dropping the $150 to get an aquabee for my DIY skimmer. They draw a heck of a lot more air than do both the GenX or the Ocean Runners...however they are about twice as expensive too.

 

[michaeldaly]

How is it that a more expensive pump with the same flow rate will draw more air

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7734171#post7734171 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Horace
All I can tell you is to get a GOOD PUMP! The pump is pretty crucial. I actually plan on dropping the $150 to get an aquabee for my DIY skimmer. They draw a heck of a lot more air than do both the GenX or the Ocean Runners...however they are about twice as expensive too.

Horace, the aquabees dont draw all that much. FWIW, they get absolutely smoked by both the other pumps mentioned. 5lpm is about max. You'll get alot more than that from a genx 4100.

 

[michaeldaly]

I've been doing some research on the web and got a few possible ideas.
What are your thoughts on DIYing something like an ETSS evolution 750 http://www.superskimmer.com/Display Tank ETSS.htm but instead of the bioballs use a beckett injector as I read they give smaller bubbles?

 

[jnarowe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7728380#post7728380 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChemE
My next DIY skimmer for my new 190 is going to be based on a recirc NW and I'm probably one of the most energy efficient nuts on Reef Central. I'm probably going to do something a little different than what has been done before so it will either be a miserable failure (probable) or a uncompromising blend between a recirc NW and a CC airstone skimmer (possible but not probable).

Thief! :lol:

Hey, the skimmer on my 1000g display only uses 120W...Beat THAT ChemE!!

 

[ChemE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7749194#post7749194 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
Thief! :lol:

Hey, the skimmer on my 1000g display only uses 120W...Beat THAT ChemE!!

Heh, I don't think I'll be able to keep it under 120/(1000/190) watts with what I'm envisioning. You're the beneficiary of economies of scale with those 1000 gallons.

 

[jnarowe]

Yeah well, I am going to add my own modified Sequence recirc pump so that will add a few watts...I should be assembling and testing within a week or so...keep an eye out!

 

[RandyStacyE]

Here's a link to a needle wheel skimmer I recently built.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=881137

 

[jnarowe]

Very nice Randy. Good quality build and really innovative parts sourcing. I have never seen that floor drain at Lowes but I am definitely going to look for it. I could use that on other projects.