DIY huge skimmer

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Do you mean protein skimmer, if so. I made this one for my pond.
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It's about 6'tall, the pipe diameter, is 4". It performs biofiltration (lava rock fills the vertical pipe), mechanical filtration (a filter sock in the top of the vertical pipe) and protein skimming
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I got the plans from koiphen.com, DIY thread called phoam phractionator, the plans are for a 6" and 8" diameter pipe.
I plan to build indoor versions for my aquariums
 
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very simple design, I don't see why it wouldn't work inside, it's my next project.
And my plan is to run overflows into the vertical stack, down to the sump.
The 6 inch diameter pipe tapers at the end thru a valve used to control flow rate into 1" pipe, the water backs up, and prevents bubbles from passing back into the tank. The foam overflows in the 6" open T. For the pond, I let the foam fall on the ground outside. Inside I would put a bucket, or bin under the T to catch the foam.
The green rack placed atop the drain, is to prevent lava rock biomedia from plugging it, I imagine any type biomedia, anything from bioballs to scrubbies would work.
 
As water falls down the vertical pipe over 4 ft of lava rock, froth is created.
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The foam is sent over the open T, as it backs up in the throated horizontal pipe.
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The water level in the T is high enough to keep the floating foam from passing thru into the tank.
 
if the valve is closed to much, excess backup occurs and water, in stead of foam overflows
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if valve is open too far, bypass occurs, and unfractionated water flows back into the system
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when it is all working right, waste containing foam overflows
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water does not backup into the vertical pipe, it flows over lava rock, and creates the foam
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Air stone skimmers are much cheaper to make are the most efficient. Tons of plans for them. I have an old one from a 1700 gallon shark tank. Basically an 8" diameter acrylic cylinder about 5ft tall. A counter current air stone design using limewood airstones. The airstones look like fingers and are plugged into a manifold that looks like a starfish. Produces a lot of bubbles and did an excellent job.
 
I saw this post awhile back at The Reef Tank. In terms of efficiency and cost two counter current airstone skimmers would make more sense.
 
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