Skimmer body: Round/square?

[Catharsis70]

Just wondering what advantage, disadvantage one deisgn may have over the other. Considering jumping in on the DIY skimmer thang

 

[RichConley]

the round body will work better, although the bigger skimmers get, the less it matters.

That being said, square is a LOT cheaper. You can build a 12x12 square body cheaper than you can get 8" tube.

 

[sherm71tank]

I don't think it matters much as long as you design the riser tube ( or square in this case )correctly so that you separate the waste and get it out of the water. A round tube will be much easier to clean though.

 

[Andrew]

All depends on the pump you are using and ect. I've seen some octagon shaped skimmers that work pretty good.

 

[Catharsis70]

Thanks all for the replys. What about skimmers that have a square box base and then a round body on top of that and then lead up the the round riser and colletion cup?

 

[Catharsis70]

Another question, most skimmers I see have a collection cup nearly the same diameter as the main body. Is this important or can the collection cup be a smaller diameter?

 

[sherm71tank]

There are skimmers out there that don't use a collection cup at all. As far as using a box that transitions to a tube usually the box is just a means to get the air/water mix into the tube and bubble free water out.

 

[Catharsis70]

Ok thanks. That makes sense. I was thinking the box area was to increase overall skimmer volume.

 

[sherm71tank]

I may be wrong but I think Aqua C is the only maker that actually uses the box for air water contact time.

 

[Catharsis70]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Ok, I have the body already. 4" x 22". Going to be run on a 35 gallon. I have a rio 1100 I will use for the pump. There are so many ways to do this and I just dont know how to seperate what is the "be all end all" from what is just "latest and greatest"
I can go Counter current with air stone, DIY Needle Wheel, or Kent type venturi on the pump output. I 'spose I could tinker around and try them all. Lets hear some opinions on the options on the table. What are you other DIY'ers running with a skimmer this small etc.....

 

[Catharsis70]

oh yeah ... then there is the whole recirc thing to boot

 

[sherm71tank]

I would recommend going with the needlwheel driven. For a 35 gallon you don't need to worry about recirc IMO. There are lots of right ways to do it.

 

[Catharsis70]

Ok cool. Why would you personaly choose the NW for this situation?

 

[sherm71tank]

It is the easiest method with pretty much guaranteed results. Yes I would.

 

[Pbrown3701]

Yes, unless you have a massive pump to make a bekket (sp?) style skimmer, NW produces the smallest diameter bubble and is the most efficient - its been proven