diy protein skimmer. need your input badly.

[iamvictor2k]

The 1. Overflow box with sponge media removed creates a vortex drawing air in creating micro bubbles that exit into my 6. Sump. By using this process that happens naturals in my tank I will try to improve the contact time of the bubbles by making several 2. Counter clockwise turns in the return pipe coming from my 1. Overflow box to the bottom of my 6. Sump. Switching directions of the pipe to go back up to the 7. Water level in my sump I will place a 4. Y in the pipe at the 7. Water linepointing downward. The upward portion of the 4. Y will contain a 3. Collection cup above the 7. water line. The side portion of the 4. Y will have a 5. Ball valve on it to control the heigth of bubbles to the 3. Collection cup. It will then turn up to drain into the 6. Sump. The 4. Y at the water line pointing down allows the bubbles to only go up to the 3. Collection cup and alow the water to exit to the 6. Sump.

 

[Reef UP]

All I have to say is....well in theory ;) keep us updated maybe if you slid a air stone Dow to the first curve it would help with bubble production

 

[iamvictor2k]

All I have to say is....well in theory ;) keep us updated maybe if you slid a air stone Dow to the first curve it would help with bubble production

I really have no idea if its going to work or not can you see any pros cons? Any design inputs would be appreciated.

 

[dakotasreef]

I am by no means an expert, but wouldn't the water continue to flow out of the collection cup since the overflow is higher than it?

 

[Troylee]

so your trying to use the bubbles from the vortex in the overflow as a skimmer???? hate to say it but that would never work.... that whole design is a no go honestly... you can build a skimmer easy enough all that is just over complicating it..;)

The 1. Overflow box with sponge media removed creates a vortex drawing air in creating micro bubbles that exit into my 6. Sump. By using this process that happens naturals in my tank I will try to improve the contact time of the bubbles by making several 2. Counter clockwise turns in the return pipe coming from my 1. Overflow box to the bottom of my 6. Sump. Switching directions of the pipe to go back up to the 7. Water level in my sump I will place a 4. Y in the pipe at the 7. Water linepointing downward. The upward portion of the 4. Y will contain a 3. Collection cup above the 7. water line. The side portion of the 4. Y will have a 5. Ball valve on it to control the heigth of bubbles to the 3. Collection cup. It will then turn up to drain into the 6. Sump. The 4. Y at the water line pointing down allows the bubbles to only go up to the 3. Collection cup and alow the water to exit to the 6. Sump.

 

[iamvictor2k]

I am by no means an expert, but wouldn't the water continue to flow out of the collection cup since the overflow is higher than it?

I wouldn't think so the water always flows to the lowest point. I might have to. Largerake the pipe coming from the y larger but it should still work. Any one else have a comment on this?

 

[iamvictor2k]

so your trying to use the bubbles from the vortex in the overflow as a skimmer???? hate to say it but that would never work.... that whole design is a no go honestly... you can build a skimmer easy enough all that is just over complicating it..;)

Not trying to be mean at all but saying that it just wont work without giving an explanation is not helpful at all. If you think part of the design wont work please give reasons and solutions. I mean if this were to work even a little bit it could save me alot of cash im hoping at the most it would cost $40. No pump to buy will def save alot.
Please give reasons and suggestions for this not working. I will take pics of the bubblage I am getting in my sump for y'all to see.

 

[iamvictor2k]

the pics

 

[Reef lvr]

Not trying to be mean at all but saying that it just wont work without giving an explanation is not helpful at all. If you think part of the design wont work please give reasons and solutions. I mean if this were to work even a little bit it could save me alot of cash im hoping at the most it would cost $40. No pump to buy will def save alot.
Please give reasons and suggestions for this not working. I will take pics of the bubblage I am getting in my sump for y'all to see.

I would trust Troylee's opinion! Good luck if you try it though..

 

[dakotasreef]

There are some diy skimmers on the internet that might be of use. However, I have never used them so I can't speak from experience.

What size tank do you have?

 

[iamvictor2k]

125g with 55g sump.

 

[iamvictor2k]

Any one have any sugestions? ??