JoeKooL KoolReef 210 remodeling into 428 display Custom DIY sump net BOOM!

[prsnlty]

You say your skimmer is 56" tall? Years and years ago I had one custom made (cuz that's the only way you got them then) 60" for a 300g tank that was powered by a wood airstone. I'm wonding if it is the same type of skimmer. Curious on the concept itself as far as how they rate for tank size.... I thought my old one worked pretty good

 

[joekool]

Wow, that's sweet! So now no more wood airstones? You need to write up a diy in the diy forum

No more air stones no more air pump running. Less energy usage. Whoop whoop!

 

[joekool]

You say your skimmer is 56" tall? Years and years ago I had one custom made (cuz that's the only way you got them then) 60" for a 300g tank that was powered by a wood airstone. I'm wonding if it is the same type of skimmer. Curious on the concept itself as far as how they rate for tank size.... I thought my old one worked pretty good

I originally built my skimmer as a counter current skimmer. It has 8 wooden air stones. It worked pretty well. It would have worked even better if I had changed the air stones as often as I should.

 

[prsnlty]

I'm serius about the diy write up Joe. I love the idea and I bet others will too

 

[joekool]

Well now I have to play with the down tube. So far so good. I'm currently playing with the bubble neck. I adjust and wait. As much as I want to tinker with it I will wait until tomorrow to me's with it again.

It works. I also ran the intake to the exterior of the home. Hoping that the PH will stay up. So far it's rising but like it does through out the day. I'm hoping it will stay more stable now. I think most of all I'm making at least as much foam as I was and less power usage.

 

[joekool]

I'm serius about the diy write up Joe. I love the idea and I bet others will too

Maybe. Okay I guess so. I think I want to make a new one thats 36" tall. It would be easier to do a complete DIY.

Are you in the market for a skimmer for your new build Jackie. I plan to build one similar to life reef skimmers.

 

[joekool]

I build skimmers but think that I will now change my ways. I think that for now on its going to be Venturi all the way.

 

[prsnlty]

At some point I will be, yes. My RO NW150 will be a little small for the 180 but for now it will work out. My bio load isn't very high ATM. It takes a week to fill up the cup. I skim meduim-dry lol.

 

[prsnlty]

Btw, idk if you saw it but I left diy rock infor for you on my 180 thread

 

[joekool]

At some point I will be, yes. My RO NW150 will be a little small for the 180 but for now it will work out. My bio load isn't very high ATM. It takes a week to fill up the cup. I skim meduim-dry lol.

When your ready I will help you build one or build one for you we can work it out.

I may build the new one tomorrow and make a DIY for forum.

 

[prsnlty]

That's great! Sounds like a plan

Depending on how everything goes, but my guess would be some time in October, maybe sooner

 

[joekool]

So far I like what I have. Now this is some nice foam. Skimmer working nice so far. Nice and sticky. That's a 10" lid it's on

 

[gettaReef]

Could you post some pictures of your whole skimmer setup? I'm really intrigued. Also interested in the diy vid. Thanks and nice job!

 

[joekool]

Could you post some pictures of your whole skimmer setup? I'm really intrigued. Also interested in the diy vid. Thanks and nice job!

Top of page 3 is a picture of the skimmer. Although I have changed it, mostly it's internal workings.

 

[gettaReef]

Cool, thanks!

 

[prsnlty]

Looks great Joe. My old one looked similar but was clear acrylic and water was pumped in via mj style pump

 

[joekool]

Still working great. I plan on changing the bottom of the internal down tube to three 45 degree fittings so to reduce friction. I'm using a 90 with a 90 street currently and if I switch to 45's it will smooth out the flow. I also plan to take the ball valve off the end of the return line and mount it to the side of the skimmer for water height adjustment. I will take pictures off everything when I have it all opened up tomorrow.

 

[joekool]

Wow almost 14 pages on my tank thread. :humble:

 

[prsnlty]

That's a lot of pages

 

[prsnlty]

Have you been working on the skimmer?