Skimmer - Buy or build

[noreason]

Thinking of building this
http://www.hawkfish.org/snailman/diy3inskimmer.htm

The question is, would it be cheaper / work better than just purchasing a skimmer from a store?

 

[BlackOnyx]

better buying

 

[irmee4]

if you have never built one before i would suggest buying.

 

[sidjam]

i would buy also.

 

[durango_doug]

I built this skimmer. it works extremely well. the only downfall is the extreme pita factor involved in changing the air stones. I plan to mod it into a re-circulating skimmer using an ocean runner 2700 (needle wheel)... which should be very easy to do. i'll take some pictures of it tomarrow.

doug

 

[noreason]

thank you all for the input

 

[pitt_prodigy]

I know people who have built decent ones.... but i have the same complaint about all i have scene. They were all made out of sched 40 PVC and you cant see the reaction inside so they have to guess to get the thing dialed in right.

I have a ASM G2 and i did the recirc mod and gate valve mod... and to be honest.... i would put it up against anything out there(for the price)! It cleans my 72g great.... and pulls out some of the foulest smelling gravy that you could ever imagine! I've been in salt for a while.... but im in no means an expert.... my suggestion is buy a good one and be done with it. I have done a fair share of DIY stuff on my tank and so far have figured out that anytime i tried to cut corners or go cheap on something it just ended up costing me more money!! Just my $.02. Good luck.

 

[AllenFord_SC]

Really there are some excellent DIY skimmers out there. The DIY forum is a great place to get ideas. If you are handy with acrylic work and have the proper tools then go for it and build one, otherwise save some money and buy one. Here is a link to a skimmer that was built for $100.00 that will blow most skimmers out the water.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=131865

But he is a wiz with acrylic and has easy access to everything so it would probably cost more for anyone else to build.

 

[noreason]

Yeah thats pretty epic acrylic work there, nicely done.

I'm thinking of going out today and buying one but I will build one eventually!

Now to figure out what the best purchase would be for my 55 gallon tank

 

[noreason]

Since I have to go to petsmart today I figured I would pick something up that thell sell, I know it might not be the best stuff out there but...

I've read mixed reviews on the Seaclone skimmer but would it be decent (after mods) for my fish only tank, or are there other skimmers sold at petsmart that are better?

PS: I was going to search for the info but searching is disabled

 

[jimbo045]

Sea Clone 100 or 150 is better than trying to make your own. A little over 100 bucks I think.

 

[noreason]

Thats just the responce I was looking for. Thanks!

 

[pitt_prodigy]

Seaclone 150 is about $84. I had one on my 72g and will tell you that they are a pain to get dialed in.... dont even attempt it without replacing the cheap plastic air valve with a brass one.... and the skim you will get is minimal at best. I wouldnt suggest using even the 150 on a tank larger than 55g. Even then i would really watch what you stock.

Read the reviews on this site about seaclones.... wont take you long to figure out that you would probably be better to take a knife and fork and physically eat the $84 cash than to buy this skimmer. Just my $.02

For a little more above the price range of the seaclone you could get an Aqua C Urchin.... or a Red Sea Berlin which would probably give you better results.

Skimmer is one the most important pieces of equip on a salt tank... if not the MOST! I would suggest saving up and getting a good one. Buy it once and be done with it. Trust me... you will be much happier in the long run.