Go Big OR Go Home! Construction of a 1000 gallon System!!

[bstone]

Here is a picture of inside the skimmer body.

And a picture of the head after the first few minutes of running!

 

[jnarowe]

That neck is wicked. Very interesting design. I have contemplated using a plant sprayer mounted above my neck to wash the inside with SW. It looks like that might be what you are doing.

 

[bstone]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11301677#post11301677 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
That neck is wicked. Very interesting design. I have contemplated using a plant sprayer mounted above my neck to wash the inside with SW. It looks like that might be what you are doing.

The spray came with the cup assembly when I bought the RK2. But it telescopes down when the water is on. Its really cool.

 

[jnarowe]

I'd like to get my hands on one of those. Are there any markings on it? That was my biggest hrudle...having the sprayer in the foam head when it isn't being used.

 

[Untamed12]

Nice buiild and very nice tank! Although my system is smaller, I'm also looking at the RK25 skimmer due to my heavy feeding. (it was that interest that linked me to you...)

Funny, I just added a Vlamingi Tang to my tank a few weeks ago...(he's only 1.5" right now)

I would love it if you would elaborate on how you modded the RK skimmer. Particularly, that skimmer is normally a Mazzei venturi....Does the NW pump still draw in air through the Mazzei?..or have you modded this thing so completely that it is now more like a regular NW skimmer?

 

[bstone]

I just used the body of the RK2 and head of the skimmer. I also used the existing discharge valve (4" valve).

I added holes for each NW Pumps. Suction on the bottom and discharge about 2.5' from bottom. The discharge is angled about 65 degrees up to produce a clockwise swirl. The main water inket is fed by a Sequence Barracuda. It is fed in the top section of the body at a 25 degrees down in the same clockwise direction. I do not use the Mazzei.

Let me know if you have any specific questions...

 

[jnarowe]

So the pump sucks from the bottom and discharges into the middle? Seems to me that should be reversed, but maybe that would be too much air for the NW?

 

[bstone]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11733326#post11733326 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
So the pump sucks from the bottom and discharges into the middle? Seems to me that should be reversed, but maybe that would be too much air for the NW?

Sorry, I do not follow. All the NW pumps I know pull water from the bottom of the skimmer body and discharge water(plus air) to the middle of the tank. This keeps bubbles in the upper part of the skimmer body and avoids bubbles going out the skimmer return pipe located at the bottom of the skimmer also. If you reversed that most of the bubbles would go out the skimmer return line to the sump...

 

[jnarowe]

Well, I am sure that is the case. I was just thinking that to recirc the air/water mixture, the pumps should draw in already aerated water and return it down low so it can rise again, giving extra contact time. Not so low as to have it go out into the system, but lower than the intake.

 

[Untamed12]

Why mod an RK25? Do you think that the Hammerhead NW is pulling in more air than the mazzei injector would? Is it quieter? Is it an experiment to use an experimental NW pump?

What were your thoughts behind changing the RK25 in this way?

I like the idea. I've only ever used NW skimmers. It seems that if you want something large, the tendancy is to move away from NW.

 

[bstone]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11733501#post11733501 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Untamed12
Why mod an RK25? Do you think that the Hammerhead NW is pulling in more air than the mazzei injector would? Is it quieter? Is it an experiment to use an experimental NW pump?

What were your thoughts behind changing the RK25 in this way?

I like the idea. I've only ever used NW skimmers. It seems that if you want something large, the tendancy is to move away from NW.

FWIW-I heard RK2 is looking at changing to this NW.

I personnally think this works better, I for one get a huge amount of skim....

Also, its not just amount of air intake. Its bubble size and how it is introduced into the skimmer: angle and flow.

 

[bstone]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11733456#post11733456 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
Well, I am sure that is the case. I was just thinking that to recirc the air/water mixture, the pumps should draw in already aerated water and return it down low so it can rise again, giving extra contact time. Not so low as to have it go out into the system, but lower than the intake.

No, you want bubble free water to be pulled into the NW pump. All the air bubbles stay in the skimmer until they burst. The water at the bottom of the skimmer is bubble free. Well greater then 95%....

If you bring highly airated water (lots of bubbles) into the NW it will burn up the motor and also not be able to push the water.

 

[Reeftanks6]

Very nice looking tank. This is amazing. Love everything in it. Keep it up.

 

[maxxII]

How are the Blueline and the Chrysurus angels doing?

Nick

 

[ReefingBuddha]

Tanks looks awesome and that skimmer brings a tear to my eye. Very impressive indeed.

 

[Reefman79]

My god.

 

[bstone]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12102088#post12102088 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by maxxII
How are the Blueline and the Chrysurus angels doing?

Nick

They are doing great. The Chrysurus is nipping at the corals, but nothing major. The only other angels I want are the Potters and a Conspic.

 

[bstone]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12102240#post12102240 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thirschmann
Tanks looks awesome and that skimmer brings a tear to my eye. Very impressive indeed.

Thanks!

 

[Elliott]

great idea to mod an RK2, don't know how I missed this thread

 

[erics3000]

Any updated FTS or equipment room shots??