Calling all skimmer pros help with plans

Oiseau Reefer · Nov 7, 2010

Ok so here it goes been thinking of building a new skimmer for a while it will be ran by a sicce 2500psk pump with a red demon needle wheel !
Here are the dimensions I've been thinking !
Skimmer body height 22"
Base 9" neck width 4"
Bubble chamber total height 4" width 6" bubble plate thickness! 3/4"
Neck- height 6" by 4" wide
Colection cup 4" tall by 5" wide
This will be for a total water volume of 175gallons just wanted imput and what changes should be Made I have a total height restriction of 28.5" and a chamber area of 10"by15"!!! Thank you all advice will be appreciated!

tcfab · Nov 7, 2010

I just built a cone almost this exact size and can give you some pointers. Here are a few things I would change, lower your overal height to 21" tall, neck should be 4"od by 5" long. Your collection cup is going to be way to small with a 5" diameter tube, if use 1/8" wall that is only giving you 3/8" between your neck and the inside wall of the collection cup I would use at least 7" od tube for the collection cup. Also your bubble plate doesn't need to be 3/4" thick, I used 3/8 on mine and after the put a 45 degree cut on the holes it has a nice transition. One last thing, have you looked at the new Sicce PSK-1000 skimmer? It is supposed to have zero startup issues and is a little more quite.

mojo · Nov 7, 2010

Collection cup is too small agree. The pump will not pull enough air or water for your system volume. water volume of 175. the sicce just doesnt cycle enough water IMO.

I would do a 4" dia bubble plate compared to 6"
make collection cup 7 or 8 in diameter by 5 to 6in tall.
i would use the bb 2000 pump instead.

Just my 2 cents.

tcfab · Nov 7, 2010

I forgot to mention that Mojo I agree your skimmer cup needs to be around 6" tall. Also I ment to say Sicce PSK-1000 skimmer pump, not skimmer lol.

Troylee · Nov 7, 2010

Agreed the sicce isn't gonna cut it for a skimmer that's gonna be efficient on a 175 unless it's very lightly stocked.... Mojo nailed the rest....

Oiseau Reefer · Nov 7, 2010

I was thinking about the bb2000 pump but I already have the sicce and it's pulling 33scfh on my current skimmer and it's the aquamaxx red devil pinwheel also meant a 6" wide collection cup for space reasons it will have a drain ! Don't know if that changes anything also mojo is there a way to get this thing to pull more air??
Just a side note my current skimmer is 18" by 5" body neck is 4" tall by 3"'wide and a crazy collection cup pic of current skimmer comming! And mojo you have an extra pump around???