new diy skimmer design

[reefinnewb]

I just recently built myself a new skimmer. THe body is 5"x15" with a 3"x7" riser tube. I am currently using a gen-x 1500 needlewheel pump rated at 395 gallons per hour. I cannot seem to form a good foam head. It is just too wet and no matter what I try it wont dry out. Here is what the skimmer looks like right after I built it.

Any suggestions on to what I should do or what I did wrong. I would really appreciate it.

EDIT: That picture has a 2 inch riser. I later rplaced it with a 3". I still have the 2 inch if you thing that is better. I found it to have a bit too much turbulance.

 

[eameres]

Skimming too wet usually means the riser's too short (or the waterlevel's too high). Doesn't it?

 

[reefinnewb]

yup, im actually thinking i may have made the body too small. As in too short.

 

[reefinnewb]

anyone? If the reaction chamber is too small, what size should I make it? I can buy 5" and 6" tubing. Should i keep it 5" and make it taller or keep it the same diameter and just make it taller?

 

[dippin61]

what are you using to control the water level within the skimmer?

if you have no way to control that, then the skimmer is just going to skim how its set.

most skimmers have a way to control the water level inside. by using ball valves or the like

 

[clevername]

Like dip said, it sounds like its not our skimmer, but your pump is too powerfull. Read up on how to ad a gatevalve to your pump to adjust it.

It will save you money via electri bill and your get more Skimmate! Sweet deal. Plus you dont have to shop for a new skimmer!

Good luck mate

 

[CMcNeil]

get a gate valve on it,that will help adjust the wet/dry of the foam.and give you overall better control of the skimmer.also i made a diy skimmer out of 5"and used the same pump and had the same problem.maybe a 2400 would work better.

 

[reefinnewb]

Already have a gatevalve on it. I think the skimmer body isnt tall enough. That is my guess.

I was following the euro-reef rs80 skimmer design and they use the sedra 3500 rated for 350gph. So the pump should be plenty powerful maybe too powerful. The way the head look is like a wet shaving cream. The head on it is only about 2 inches thick and never really goes from tiny bubble to larger bubble like it should.

 

[naterealbig]

Well either the skimmer body isn't tall enough or you need a bigger valve on the bottom. If you used a 2" PVC for the return, then essentially you wouldn't have any water level in the skimmer. I know that 2" is probably too big, but you get the point.

 

[naterealbig]

Oh, and give it a while to break in, the bubbles will get bigger towards the top. And really, who cares how big they are when the get to the collection cup as long as the skimmate's nasty anyways? And stick with the 3" riser.

 

[reefinnewb]

I currently have a 1" valve on the bottom. I figured that would be good. I will let it break in a bit. I ordered new tubing, i found a really good deal 5" at 6 foot for 35$ so i nabbed it. I will build one with a taller reaction chamber and compare the two.

 

[reefinnewb]

btw, here are two pictures. First is the foam. second is what it looked like before i drilled for the pump.

 

[skey44]

would you put the gate on the output or input to control water volume? does this affect the amount of bubbles and the water level?... im thinking about a similar design (basic needlewheel) and am tagging along.
does the height of the return matter except for the water level in your sump? i would love to see a picture of it set up in your sump to better get the idea of how it works in action... not just the skimmer cup

 

[reefinnewb]

The gatevalve goes on the output of the skimmer. You really dont wanna limit the amount of water entering the skimmer. You reduce the water, yoiu reduce the amount of bubbles in the skimmer. The return height does matter. You dont want it too high or you cant effectively control the water level in the skimmer. I like to put mine about half way to 3/4 the way up the skimmer body. I then extend a tube to the top of the collection cup. This allows me to control the amount of water within the skimmer without flooding it. I just ordered a new impellar because i did the mesh mod and dont like it. When the impellar comes and I get it up and running again Ill take some working shots.