actually every skimmer ive had i always had the air flow unrestricted. but i do have some of the valves spare that came with the other skimmers, once i get that tube in there. i dont think ill need to regulate the air, but if i do that'll be what i use.
DIY Protein skimmer
- Thread starter Atarax
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The tube may need to be long enough to extend above the water level of the column, and pump strong enough in order to allow the venturi to suck air.
When I tried to use a 1 1/2" diameter spa jet venturi, water would shoot up and out of the 24" in the tube, I never did get that venturi to work.
Think it was because the pump wasn't strong enough to overcome the head pressure and back pressure created by the large aperature.
I was able to get a 1/2" venturi to work fine with a Mag Drive 500 pump.
Anybody out there well versed enough in Bernoulis(spelling?) principle to explain?
When I tried to use a 1 1/2" diameter spa jet venturi, water would shoot up and out of the 24" in the tube, I never did get that venturi to work.
Think it was because the pump wasn't strong enough to overcome the head pressure and back pressure created by the large aperature.
I was able to get a 1/2" venturi to work fine with a Mag Drive 500 pump.
Anybody out there well versed enough in Bernoulis(spelling?) principle to explain?
well two things. i think u are exactly right about the pump as well. im almost positive my pump needs to be upgarded since my last skimmer was less than half this size. but that i had already taken into consideration.
as for the collection cup, im fanatical about tank cleaning. i empty the collection cup everyday, but if u wanted u could add one of the smaller pronged fittings at the bottom of the cup for a piece of air hose or whatever u felt like. but that collection cup is good for about 3 pints of skimmate, if you manage to let that over flow, u may want to just hire someone to tend to your tank for u, lol.
as for the collection cup, im fanatical about tank cleaning. i empty the collection cup everyday, but if u wanted u could add one of the smaller pronged fittings at the bottom of the cup for a piece of air hose or whatever u felt like. but that collection cup is good for about 3 pints of skimmate, if you manage to let that over flow, u may want to just hire someone to tend to your tank for u, lol.
do u mean the entire intake tube? if so i dont think thats it because the skimmer i currently have is set up the same way. but ill see if it wont work, heck it couldnt hurt. but i think u hit it on the head with the pump size. i dont think there's enuff water pressure to create suction.duanes;1121722; said:
The rigid tube that came with the spa jet is 24", it barely fit in between the venturi and the basement ceiling. In the pic below you can see a (once) clear tube leaning vertically, it's almost 24" and the venturi is only 1/2"PVC.
If pressure drops due to a snail or stone getting wedged in the aperature, water will back up and drain out of the air tube. For that reason the tube is hanging so if that occurs, water drains to the sump and not the floor.
Sometimes when my skimmer is really cranking
a quart or more will bubble out in a few hours, but most of the time its a couple cups over 24 hours. Depends on how lazy I get with water changes. So just in case, I put an old gallon plastic ice cream container under an overflow drilled into the skimmate cup.
If pressure drops due to a snail or stone getting wedged in the aperature, water will back up and drain out of the air tube. For that reason the tube is hanging so if that occurs, water drains to the sump and not the floor.
Sometimes when my skimmer is really cranking
a quart or more will bubble out in a few hours, but most of the time its a couple cups over 24 hours. Depends on how lazy I get with water changes. So just in case, I put an old gallon plastic ice cream container under an overflow drilled into the skimmate cup.
Atarax;1122498; said:
Venturi's hate back pressure. The 90 under the venturi is not helping. Remove this 90 and mount the venturi horizontally and you will improve the performance greatly.
do u think if i lengthened the tube it would help? i lengthened it from 3 inches to about 6. still waiting on the right length of hose to hook it up to the pump. should work this time around (hopefully)
Its official. Duanes is a genius. i raised the level of the intake above the max hieght of the exhaust tube, and guess what? no more water leakage. it works like a charm even with the smaller pump. i will take updated photos and try to get them in here soon.
Damnnn, my wife says I'm lucky to have made it through 5th grade.
Actually, when I first put it together and turned the pump on, it started spewing water all over the floor from the air tube, I lifted the entire unit a few inches in desperation, and it started sucking air.
Just dumb luck.
Actually, when I first put it together and turned the pump on, it started spewing water all over the floor from the air tube, I lifted the entire unit a few inches in desperation, and it started sucking air.
Just dumb luck.
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