I need help building a skimmer

azrednex · #1 01/06/2008, 09:14 PM

I was wondering if there are any local guys that would help ( advise soucing and the occasional tool ) me build a skimmer for an approximate water volume of 500G?
I plan to go slow. I won't need this skimmer completed for about 6 months.

aztbs · #2 01/06/2008, 10:06 PM

Don't you mean 1500G? hahahahaaaaaaaaa

Sorry, no help here on the skimmer. I researched for months to find the right set of plans to DIY and finally gave up and bought one.

random_ryan · #3 01/06/2008, 10:10 PM

what the heck are you going to do with a skimmer of that size?

azrednex · #4 01/06/2008, 10:16 PM

300g display 50g fuge 50g prop & 100 sump.

300
100
50
50
+____
500

Philwd · #5 01/06/2008, 10:18 PM

My 150G is going to be the baby at this rate.

azrednex · #6 01/06/2008, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aztbs
Don't you mean 1500G? hahahahaaaaaaaaa

Sorry, no help here on the skimmer. I researched for months to find the right set of plans to DIY and finally gave up and bought one.

What you you recomend for that water volume? I really like the ASMs but I dont think they go that size and I don't want to drop the jack on a BK or the like.

azrednex · #7 01/06/2008, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Philwd
My 150G is going to be the baby at this rate.

How's your tank doing BTW.

Philwd · #8 01/06/2008, 10:27 PM

Ich is under control but lost 4 fish plus the aggressive one in jail. About ready to scrape the last of the encrusted SPS bases off the rock. Just been busy lately. I want to re-scape too just can't make up my mind what to do.

Kentanner11 · #9 01/06/2008, 10:27 PM

This sounds fun! lol! What kind of size restraints are you on? There is one I will try to find the link to. The guy used sheets of acrylic and made like a 5 foot tall square skimmer.

evolust · #10 01/06/2008, 10:34 PM

http://www.hawkfish.org/snailman/diy8inskimmer.htm

azrednex · #11 01/06/2008, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Philwd
Ich is under control but lost 4 fish plus the aggressive one in jail. About ready to scrape the last of the encrusted SPS bases off the rock. Just been busy lately. I want to re-scape too just can't make up my mind what to do.

I'm sorry Phil it seems like your getting slammed 1 right after the other. Your tank has been an inspiration to me. I hope you take all of this crap in stride and bounce back.

BTW, Do you have a recomendation for a skimmer for 500 or so gallons?

azrednex · #12 01/06/2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by evolust
http://www.hawkfish.org/snailman/diy8inskimmer.htm

I'm not sure I like the counter current design.

Philwd · #13 01/06/2008, 10:45 PM

Thanks Jonah. It has been a tough stretch. I'm getting back into the swing of things now. Wife's family was in town for the holidays and they absolutely ohh'd and ahh'd over the tank. Here I am thinking what a pile it is and they couldn't get enough of it. Gave me new energy.

And no I don't have a skimmer recommendation. I've never really looked into something that size.

azrednex · #14 01/06/2008, 11:01 PM

I like to muggles reactions to my tank also.

The one that drives me nuts though is a good friend of mine who says things like "I like how you did all of the plants".
"They're not plants" I yell.

Kentanner11 · #15 01/06/2008, 11:09 PM

I would check out the current TOTM! (At least for design and pumps) could you imagine having skimmate like this:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-0...s/IMG_2243.jpg ???

aztbs · #16 01/07/2008, 12:08 AM

I don't know what is worse, the thickness and nastiness of the skimmate or the fact that he is holding it in his hand.

I don't know about a skimmer for that volume, but I will look for ya.

jasonh · #17 01/07/2008, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kentanner11
I would check out the current TOTM! (At least for design and pumps) could you imagine having skimmate like this:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-0...s/IMG_2243.jpg ???

Uh, gross. Yeah, I don't have much else to say.

bajabum · #18 01/07/2008, 09:21 AM

Robert has the best design I have seen. Downdraft with a becket injector. Been thinking of building one myself.

GustavoAZ · #19 01/07/2008, 12:15 PM

I think that is a dead blue carpet anemone covered in skimmate.

azrednex · #20 01/07/2008, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabum
Robert has the best design I have seen. Downdraft with a becket injector. Been thinking of building one myself.

Can it handle the water volume I'm talking about?

vanillagorila · #21 01/07/2008, 03:29 PM

I have a extra MRC becket injector. your welcome to it if you want to try and make something work.

silvers · #22 01/07/2008, 03:38 PM

IMO you would need 2 or 3 beckett injectors and one big pressure pump but for that size tank I would go pressure driven skimmer all the way some of the most productive skimmers I have eaver seen have been DIY becketts

azrednex · #23 01/07/2008, 03:39 PM

I may take you up on that. I'm really going toward a needle wheel type though.

azrednex · #24 01/07/2008, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by silvers
IMO you would need 2 or 3 beckett injectors and one big pressure pump but for that size tank I would go pressure driven skimmer all the way some of the most productive skimmers I have eaver seen have been DIY becketts

I don't know how beckets work Doy you have a link?

silvers · #25 01/07/2008, 03:46 PM

Here is a page with a little info on diff skimmers http://www.hawkfish.org/snailman/skimmer101.htm