sponge filter efficiency vs protien skimmer

I think a lot of people are having trouble visualizing what your talking about ;)

IMO, sponge filters on the intake side of a protein skimmer (essentially what your doing) are trouble. As they clog, the flow reduces and reduces the efficiency of the skimmer. Best to keep sponge filters and skimmers as two separate items.
 
I took a look, more or less along the lines of what I thought you might be trying.
 
I use alot of sponge filters in my guppy tanks. They work best with big bubbles that move more water. I have all my DIY sponge filters runing off of full open standard airline. The smallest bubble I'd use in one is like through a coarse airstone. And even then the bubbles are to big to efficiently run a counter current skimmer.
 
I use alot of sponge filters in my guppy tanks. They work best with big bubbles that move more water. I have all my DIY sponge filters runing off of full open standard airline. The smallest bubble I'd use in one is like through a coarse airstone. And even then the bubbles are to big to efficiently run a counter current skimmer.


are you saying that smaller bubbles will move less water? do the smaller bubbles just require more presure which equals less air or do they jut displace less, even though their is the same amount of air?
 
It's more a displacement thing. The larger bubles push more water ahead of them as they rise than smaller bubbles. Thus creating a current. The larger the bubble the faster it will rise and the more water it'll move with it. I know this is an extremely generalized and simplified statement. But for hobby purposes it works.
 
All I can say is "Say What!"

I am at a total loss as to what I am looking at in that picture and have built numerous skimmers.
I must be getting senile. :worried:
 
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