Brian Prestwood
03/13/2004, 04:24 PM
I've finished testing the skimmer. It works very well. Again, it can hang on, stand free, or sit in the sump. I'll bring one to the March meeting.
I've designed these for easy construction. I'm going to kit them out before the DIY session. In other words, I'll do all the cutting, drilling, tapping and glueing ahead of time. The DIY session will consist of final assembly of the threaded and friction fit pieces.
Who wants one? Please indicate black ABS or clear PVC contact chamber.
Details...
This skimmer is 32" tall and uses a MAG 7 pump. It is rated for aquariums up to 400 gallons. It should fit comfortablly under a 36" (counter height) stand.
The parts cost $135 with a black ABS contact chamber. If you want a clear PVC contact chamber the cost is $175.
The return riser sets the minimum water level at the bottom of the collection cup riser (throat). Therefore, the tall collection cup gives you a clear view of the water level and foam height. There is no need to see into the contact chamber to adjust the skimmer. Here's a picture...
http://www.marineaquarist.org/Portals/9e47b9dd-73aa-4c61-8ad9-7eadcacbad35/IMG_0039.JPG
We can also make a 26" tall with a MAG 5 pump. This model is rated for a 250 gal tank. The parts cost $125 with a black ABS contact chamber. If you want clear PVC contact chamber the cost is $155. This model should fit comfortably under a 30" (table height) stand.
If you are going to hang either of these skimmers on your aquarium you will need at least 6" of clearance between the wall and the aquarium.
Also, the collection cup sticks up approx 12" above the contact chamber. You'll need that much room above the top of your aquarium.
Here's the latest diagram...
http://www.marineaquarist.org/Portals/9e47b9dd-73aa-4c61-8ad9-7eadcacbad35/SkimmerBlockDiagram.jpg
Here's the latest parts list...
Parts List (http://www.marineaquarist.org/Portals/9e47b9dd-73aa-4c61-8ad9-7eadcacbad35/SurgeBucketPartsList.htm)
If you've been following the threads on this DIY project you'll notice that the final design looks a lot like the original. Using black ABS or clear PVC for the contact chamber allowed me to tap through the wall of the contact chamber and eliminate a lot of parts.
Skimmer Comparison...
Comparing pump size and contact chamber volume the MARS skimmer is roughly equivelent to a EuroReef CS6-2+ which is rated for a 125 gal aquarum. A CS6-2+ costs $420 on Marine Depot.
However, the foam contact time in the recirculating foam loop design is much longer. This is the same foam generatoin technique as the Dutch Aquarium Systems and AquaMedic Turboflotor 4000-10000 series skimmers.
Again, comparing pump size and contact chamber volume, the MARS skimmer is equivelent to the Aquamedic Turboflotor 5000 shorty which is rated for a 400 gal aquarium. The 5000 Shorty retails for $500 on Premium Aquatics...
Aquamedic Turboflotor 5000 Shorty (http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PA&Product_Code=AM-71016&Category_Code=Aquamedic)
I've designed these for easy construction. I'm going to kit them out before the DIY session. In other words, I'll do all the cutting, drilling, tapping and glueing ahead of time. The DIY session will consist of final assembly of the threaded and friction fit pieces.
Who wants one? Please indicate black ABS or clear PVC contact chamber.
Details...
This skimmer is 32" tall and uses a MAG 7 pump. It is rated for aquariums up to 400 gallons. It should fit comfortablly under a 36" (counter height) stand.
The parts cost $135 with a black ABS contact chamber. If you want a clear PVC contact chamber the cost is $175.
The return riser sets the minimum water level at the bottom of the collection cup riser (throat). Therefore, the tall collection cup gives you a clear view of the water level and foam height. There is no need to see into the contact chamber to adjust the skimmer. Here's a picture...
http://www.marineaquarist.org/Portals/9e47b9dd-73aa-4c61-8ad9-7eadcacbad35/IMG_0039.JPG
We can also make a 26" tall with a MAG 5 pump. This model is rated for a 250 gal tank. The parts cost $125 with a black ABS contact chamber. If you want clear PVC contact chamber the cost is $155. This model should fit comfortably under a 30" (table height) stand.
If you are going to hang either of these skimmers on your aquarium you will need at least 6" of clearance between the wall and the aquarium.
Also, the collection cup sticks up approx 12" above the contact chamber. You'll need that much room above the top of your aquarium.
Here's the latest diagram...
http://www.marineaquarist.org/Portals/9e47b9dd-73aa-4c61-8ad9-7eadcacbad35/SkimmerBlockDiagram.jpg
Here's the latest parts list...
Parts List (http://www.marineaquarist.org/Portals/9e47b9dd-73aa-4c61-8ad9-7eadcacbad35/SurgeBucketPartsList.htm)
If you've been following the threads on this DIY project you'll notice that the final design looks a lot like the original. Using black ABS or clear PVC for the contact chamber allowed me to tap through the wall of the contact chamber and eliminate a lot of parts.
Skimmer Comparison...
Comparing pump size and contact chamber volume the MARS skimmer is roughly equivelent to a EuroReef CS6-2+ which is rated for a 125 gal aquarum. A CS6-2+ costs $420 on Marine Depot.
However, the foam contact time in the recirculating foam loop design is much longer. This is the same foam generatoin technique as the Dutch Aquarium Systems and AquaMedic Turboflotor 4000-10000 series skimmers.
Again, comparing pump size and contact chamber volume, the MARS skimmer is equivelent to the Aquamedic Turboflotor 5000 shorty which is rated for a 400 gal aquarium. The 5000 Shorty retails for $500 on Premium Aquatics...
Aquamedic Turboflotor 5000 Shorty (http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PA&Product_Code=AM-71016&Category_Code=Aquamedic)