I was much happier with the airstone setup. The recirc NW was a nice idea, but it was a finicky design. That pump was not ideal and I did not do any testing prior to design and build. A bit of math did go into the design, primarly from the "Aquatic Ecosystems Engineering" text and another lengthy countercurrent skimmer white paper on the physics of foam fractionation.
The only other better pump at the time was the insanely overpriced Bubble King, and even then it was just a rebadged pump. Royal Exclusive (if I remember) was not manufacturing skimmer pumps then, but rather modifying off-the-shelf units with a NW and anti-calcium loop.
The skimmer worked wonderfully for what it was.
I purchased the 14' piece of 6" clear PVC on eBay for $200 or something like that, It was expensive for me, but not in context to clear PVC or acrylic at the time. The base and and flanges were all machined with a router using PVC stock from McMaster. Neck, cup and bayonet were all acrylic. The build was actually very fun. Neighbors thought I was making a huge water bong.
I used to DIY everything hobby related. It was actually the primary enjoyment of the hobby for me. That has passed, I don't have much of a desire to DIY anything and only make things that I can't purchase.
- Overflow protection grates
- Return pump protection grates
- Overflow lids
- Probe holders
- Light rails
... and now an accurate automated phosphate tester, and maybe if that works, a similar automated Nitrate tester.
