New old style skimmer

[mfinn]

I've been using a Bubble Master 250 on my 240 gallon softy tank for about 5+ years.
I paid around $850 for it back then and it seems I've spent aleast half than in new pumps and impellers and different pin wheels for it in that time period.
So when I saw a skimmer made by a local fish store that used a air pump and air stones I knew I had to check it out.
My very first skimmer was a homemade air stone skimmer ( 23 years ago).

My new skimmer has a 10" body and is 26" tall.
It's fed by a maxijet 1200.
The air pump is a Alita AL-40 and operates at 32 dB's and puts out 85scfh
( 40lpm).


Just got it home and will be installing it later today.

 

[reeftivo]

How's the build quality? Acrylic or plastic?
I love that design. Did you get the pellet reactor with it or did you decide not to go that route. Personally I'm not a fan of pellets.

Looking forward to a video

Happy reefing

Tivo

 

[wildman926]

I still have my old skimmers from the 90's -

 

[mfinn]

How's the build quality? Acrylic or plastic?
I love that design. Did you get the pellet reactor with it or did you decide not to go that route. Personally I'm not a fan of pellets.

Looking forward to a video

Happy reefing

Tivo

It is very well made from cast acrylic.
Looks very nice. hate to get it all crudy, but that is what it was made for.
I did not get the pellet reactor.
My tank has been running for a very long time without one, so I'm not even sure why I would need one. Make sense?

 

[reeftivo]

It is very well made from cast acrylic.
Looks very nice. hate to get it all crudy, but that is what it was made for.
I did not get the pellet reactor.
My tank has been running for a very long time without one, so I'm not even sure why I would need one. Make sense?

That monster has a great looking reaction chamber for sure.
As far as the pellet reactor goes; its a nice option for people who have had success running them or want to delve into it for the first time. sounds like you have sucsuccess without them so "if it's not broke".

Looking forward to seeing it in action

 

[mfinn]

It fits.

 

[skimmy]

fire it up!!! lets see it!:inlove:

 

[txaggie09]

I just installed that skimmer too! Still breaking in but has started producing a little skimmate. Build quality is great from what I can tell. Only problem is that some of the edges on the skimmer cup are very sharp. Ive cut my hand a few times turning the cup to remove it.

Interested to see how it works out for you. How is that air pump running? Mine got really hot so i put a fan on it. Seems to be staying nice and cool now.

 

[mfinn]

I'll try and get a cell phone picture. ( camera battery died )

Don't seem to notice any sound from the pump. It's dead quiet.
Pump seems to be a tiny bit warm.
It's only been on for a couple hours.

You should take some sand paper to the edge if it's sharp.

 

[mfinn]

Ok, here is a pictures of it running wide open without the gate valve on it.
Both the body and the air stone needs a little break-in.
I was going to run it in a tub with vinergar, but decided to just toss it in the sump.

cell phone picture.

 

[moondoggy4]

Looking good, nice skimmer. I wonder if the traditional size of the body, neck size and pump output would apply here even though a 10 body on a 240 gallon tank would be acceptable but say on a 120 gallon tank.

 

[txaggie09]

Looking good, nice skimmer. I wonder if the traditional size of the body, neck size and pump output would apply here even though a 10 body on a 240 gallon tank would be acceptable but say on a 120 gallon tank.

Mine is on a 120, after talking to the folks at OBD they said the skimmer can be adjusted to handle a tanks from a 75 gallon heavily stocked to around 300 lightly-moderately stocked.
I was a little worried going with such a big skimmer on a 120 but so far it seems to be working good and it leaves me a lot of room to grow. Another great thing is that the sump level doesnt matter like it does in a traditional skimmer. (as long as water isnt any higher than the outlet.

 

[Nanook]

Good luck! I do like the beckett skimmer because they do not require a proprietary pump that will break down and cost BIG BUCKS to replace each time. With becketts, you just buy a pump and let it work for about 20 years at least The air input is huge too.

 

[skimmy]

I'd take one of these over a beckett or any injector
style skimmer any day of the year.
2400lph of air injection,
dwell time up the ying yang,
totally adjustable air and water processing,
available with pellet reactor built into inlet,
quiet as hell.

 

[j tavares]

Where get we get that skimmer???

 

[txaggie09]

i dont know if its against the policy here so i wont post a direct link. The skimmer is made by 'oceans by design' just google them and their website should come up.

 

[mfinn]

I'd take one of these over a beckett or any injector
style skimmer any day of the year.
2400lph of air injection,
dwell time up the ying yang,
totally adjustable air and water processing,
available with pellet reactor built into inlet,
quiet as hell.

very quiet.

 

[skimmy]

excellent!! more pics!! ... and vids if you can make 'em.

I cant wait to order one all customed out with colored acrylic and pvc, it will be sweet.
I was thinking smokey acrylic with red accents to match the airstone.
there's suppose to be a couple different sizes in the near future too.

 

[mfinn]

excellent!! more pics!! ... and vids if you can make 'em.

I cant wait to order one all customed out with colored acrylic and pvc, it will be sweet.
I was thinking smokey acrylic with red accents to match the airstone.
there's suppose to be a couple different sizes in the near future too.

Colored acrylic, red accents?

Wish I would have asked.
I knew they were talking about another size or two.

I didn't really get a chance to do a pre-breakin period with vinergar so it's gonna be a few days before anything really happens.

The air stone is breaking in ( becoming saturated ) so the bubbles are closer to what they are suppose to be.
In the picture with water in it you can see some pretty big bubbles.
They are gone now.

 

[mfinn]