Skimmer opinions

[DonW]

That sounds pretty cool Don, but how do you think the wood would react to a 6' salt air breathing monster within?

Damn Tom,
I was just joking but now I'm really starting to consider it.
Well the back is totally open, could use 1/4 oak ply for the panels, could vac press on a formica material on the inside.

Could go with a 3/4" thick ten sided round column with the back cut out. Could also make it in two pieces top and bottom, then I could put it on the lathe turn it round with a docorative pedastool and a decorative top thingy.

Remember if my wife kills me its all your fault.
Don

 

[big t]

Hey if your wife kills you, just remember this was all your idea!

 

[DonW]

Hey if your wife kills you, just remember this was all your idea!

Na, I'll just blame jlehigh. But really how big is to big, I could make this thing work and look good at the same time.

Don

 

[big t]

I don't think that it needs to be all that big Don. I am pretty happy with mine and it is only 25" tall. I may make it a little taller for my next one, mainly I just want it to be prettier then what I currently have (you know with some of those nice keyhole flanges I know how to make now) I was thinking of going up to a 8" tube, but it is just too pricy for my tastes right now.

 

[DonW]

I just looked at the specs of a Euroreef 4ft tall 8" dia with 1 sedra 5k rated at 175 gallons. Assuming its over rated, I really dont know. 4 maybe 5ft w/6" should be about right????

I really would like it to be a serious skimmer. But dont want to strip the water or have to do it again. I'm not sure if you can over skim or not, whats your opinion?

Don

 

[jlehigh]

Why cover up such a beautiful piece of engineering with wood!? I am illuminating my clear tube with Blue LED's! hehehe Skimmer meets disco meets lava lamp

BTW: The question isn't so much how big is too big versus how big until I lose the benefit of the added volume. I beleive the skimmer FAQ on RC in the DIY section has info along these lines.

I think the question over overskimming can bleed into the objective of your set-up. In my case I am running a barebottom so my skimmer has to do most ALL the nutrient exporting for me whereas a set-up with a sand bed needs the food to keep the bed. In addition to that I will be running my skimmer pretty wet versus dry for the same reason (too pull as much out as possible).

Some speculate pods and beneficial trace elements can be stripped from overskimming but I have not seen tangible evidence to indicate that either way.

 

[DonW]

I tend to agree with the fact that trace elements do get skimmed out. On the other hand they are easily added back in so no big deal right?
As far as sizes go I tend to trust the proven models such as Euroreef. Later I'll try to figure out the volume of there 8" and use that to determine my size with a 6" chamber, should get me pretty darn close.

Don

 

[aquariumdebacle]

you can run the AquaMedic as hang-on. Put the pump in the sump and leave the filter outside. I have the Turbo Floater hanging on the side of my tank, unsightly but it works. Don't worry about losing trace elements, the stuff you take out is much more important than the stuff you have to put back in.

 

[big t]

They have the pump for 69.99 and 84.99 with the needle wheel impeller.

I am sorry I missed that. That is a great price if it is the euroreef impeller! I know that euroreef charges $60 for a replacement impeller. They seem to know that their skimmers are the best

Don, Euroreef's are not overrated. They lowered their ratings, and I would say that they are pretty much right on. Fwiw the CS8-3 is 30" tall has 1 pump is rated at 175 gallons. That is the one that Nikki has.