Downdraft skimmer update.

The T is to allow micro bubbles to dissipate up the tube.
As far as a patent goes lol, i beleive in order to make them and sell them, you would have to work right? Well look to your left and read lol. I am an idle time connoisseur. You can start you a big ole skimmer company and get richer than the google guys if you want to lol. Be my guest. Me? I'll stick with online poker, it's a lot easier than cutting acrylic and pays better too i bet. I posted this here to help save other people money by building a quality skimmer for $50, not to get rich off of a little ingenuity.
 
I don't know what more specs i could give. What do you want to know that hasn't already been posted?

It has a 2in. inlet, a 2in. riser. The recirc plumbing is 3/4 with a maxijet 1250 ph. The exit plumbing is 1 1/4 in. pvc. The valve adjust the internal head pressure. I used a ball valve because i couldn't find a gate valve that day, but a gate valve would work MUCH better. I also use a luft air pump to feed the venturi on the powerhead.

If there is something specific you need i will try my best to help.
 
Well Dugg, I finally installed the skimmer Wayne built for me. My sump now has appx 800gph flowing through it. I'm hoping that the tall slim design of my skimmer will make up for the 400gph I lack. If not, I guess I can drop an air stone in there.
 
I just increased my pump size up to 650gph actuall flow rate. I have had to completely remove all extra air sources from mine. If i add any air to it now, it will overflow quick, so you may have plenty already.
 
Mine started right away. Are you getting any bubbles in the riser tube? Where is the water level at on the sump? The top of the box should be about 1 inch below the sump water surface.
 
1" below. Great.. No, it is barely under the water level of the sump. Initially I was getting some bubbles in the riser tube, but then I shut of the pump and added the water to the sump.
 
Are you getting a good amount of bubbles in the skimmer box? If you are then give it a day or two to get primed up, if not add an airstone. I never work on my skimmer in the evening though. Skimmer production usually goes up at night. If you tune on a new skimmer in the evening, there is a good chance it will go crazy in the middle of the night and overflow the catch can.
 
OK. I get more foaming action if I direct more flow from the pump to the tank. Since it is rated for 200GPH more than the overflow, I redirect some of it back into the sump through the skimmer. I'll wait and see. And, I'll keep my fingers crossed. I hope the lack of 1" of water over the top will not be a problem. If it is, I guess I'll have to get Wayne to build a shorter one.

My lights were off most of the day while I was changing the pump and plumbing under the stand. So, it will be a few more hours before I turn them off.
 
As long as it is under the water you are good. Just have to adjust for it with the riser hose if necessary. If you have it in a chamber with a constant water level it should stay very consistant once you get it adjusted out.
 
Well nothing this morning. The foam only rises to the top of the 2" couple. I'll continue to wait and see. If I have nothing by next weekend, I'll install an airpump and stone.
 
It sounds like you will need the extra air to me. If you could get a pic posted it might help me to better understand what we are working with. The downpipe from the overflow needs to have a good straight drop into the skimmer if possible. Since we are working with a bit lower flow then the designed amount, the airstone more than likely is the ticket though. You will need a limewood airstone to get the finest bubbles possible.
 
I'll see about that pic. I can tell you it is not a straight drop. It comes out of the back of my tank, down the back side, into the stand about 4" - 8" then 90deg down into the skimmer.

I've purchased the limewood air stone. I'll be driving it with my old two out put Whisper air pump. If it still works. I guess I need an air valve to control amount of air.
 
Using just a standard airpump, i doubt you will need to restrict it with a valve. If the pump you have now needs to be replaced, get a coralife luft airpump. It won't cost but a few dollars more than any other pump, but it has the highest pressure rating available, and will last forever. You can order one from here--

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ES01655

I just got one from them, and they have about the best price you will find on it. Don't bother getting the bigger coralife pump, this one is the best for running skimmers.
 
That looks identical to the Tetra Luft Pumps I used to use. That was many many moons ago. I wonder if this is the same pump? The old Tetra Luft Pumps were the very best. Pretty cool if it's the same pump and still the best. :)

Ronnie
 
Dugg,

I'm not getting foam rising up the tube, but there is a 1/4" of water in the collection container. I've added the lime wood stone and have the air pump running now. There are many small bubbles, but no foam yet. Where should the stone be placed in the skimmer? Currently it is under the lift tube. I'm not sure if it can coax it back to the input line.
 
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