HELP: Will this DIY skimmer work??

[Cwazy Clown]

so i have designed this air driven skimmer and it is suppose to fit inside an aquaclear 20. i do not know where the water level should be?? can some1 help me answer that question?. also can you DIY gods helps me with this design and see if it wil work??

 

[NaH2O]

Here's a bump for you....

 

[Meche]

How is water moving through the skimmer?

Are you using wood air blocks or air stones?

 

[Cwazy Clown]

the air stone?

 

[matts125]

I think what you are wanting is a needle wheel skimmer.
I dont think a 2'' pvc will be nearly wide enuff for this project, and it will need to be atleast 20+'' tall..

Matt

 

[Meche]

the air stone?

If that is the answer to how you are moving water through the skimmer then, no this won't work. Do you see how what you drew doesn't have water moving through it?

 

[Meche]

I agree with Matt that this is a very small reaction chamber. Your 2" tube is 9 times smaller than a 6" tube.

 

[Meche]

How big of a tank is this going on?

If I were you I would try to make a stand-alone unit. Trying to incorperate an efficient DIY skimmer into that little Auqaclear 20 is not practical. Take a look at euroreef, octopus, and ASM skimmers (non-recurculating types). They are all very good skimmers with simple, rock-solid designs. These should give you a pretty good idea of how to build a reliable skimmer. I will try to find some good links for you later. (at work )

 

[matts125]

here is a drawing of a design that will work much better for you. you can put it external if you dont have room in your sump.
by the way the reaction chamber is 6'' and the cup is 10'' and the total hight should be atleast 24''


Matt

 

[Meche]

Ok, I'm krish for the day with all of these posts in a row, but...

http://www.hawkfish.org/snailman/skimmer101.htm

there is a design for an air stone powered one. I still perfer a venturi powered skimmer though.

 

[matts125]

by the way a maxijet 1200 is perfect for the inlet pump..

 

[Cwazy Clown]

awsome site. thanks guys

 

[Cwazy Clown]

yea its going on a 10
and so for that air stone one, do i have to have a pump on teh inlet??

 

[Meche]

do i have to have a pump on teh inlet??

yes you do

 

[Cwazy Clown]

ahh, i see. my drawing was based on the piccolo protein skimmer. that one has nothing except the air stone..strange.

 

[DonW]

ahh, i see. my drawing was based on the piccolo protein skimmer. that one has nothing except the air stone..strange.

Your skimmer will work just fine. The air will lift the water from the aqua clear. The Aqua clears pump will be supplying the water. Just make sure the skimmer is elevated just off the bottom of the aquaclear.
Its not going to be very efficient and propably a little undersized for a 10g. Would be more suited for a 3g.

Don

 

[Cwazy Clown]

haha, ok thanks

 

[Cwazy Clown]

ok guys, i have decided to burn this plan and buy a CPR bakpak =DDD any1 got one i could buy for 40$? thanks!

 

[Krish]

Ok, I'm krish for the day with all of these posts in a row, but...

LOL!! Way to go!!!

Your skimmer will work just fine. The air will lift the water from the aqua clear. The Aqua clears pump will be supplying the water. Just make sure the skimmer is elevated just off the bottom of the aquaclear.
Its not going to be very efficient and propably a little undersized for a 10g. Would be more suited for a 3g.

Don

I agree with Don that it will work. I had a proclearaquatics wet/dry on my first ever saltwater setup and the skimmer had an open bottom that water was supplied into it by the wet/dry's water level and the pump just provided the bubbles basically. In any event, you made a great decision on buying the skimmer...No sense guessing As for that price...Couldn't say(LOL) Goodl luck!

 

[Cwazy Clown]

haha, i see...what is a reasonable price then??

i do want used.