DIY Protien Skimmer Ideas? For a 1,617 gallon tank

[26pets]

How big would it have to to be to take that load though?

 

[hangner]

take a look at this website,
http://www.tmc-ltd.co.uk/commercial/saltwater-skimmers.asp
it should give you an idea as for flow rates and dimensions, you can also draw plans based on their design
you probably want to go with 14-16inch diam pvc tubing 4 to 5 ft tall for the body
i suggest you do not get clear acrylic tubing as it is $$$$ you could easily spend a 1000$ for 5 ft of 16'' diam
for your plastic needs visit
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/default.asp or
http://www.ryanherco.com/
since flanges and caps for pvc this size are way overpriced (300$ + a piece) i suggest you build your own flanges from pvc sheet

i have drawn plans for a 1000gal diy skimmer piece by piece and calculated that it would cost between 1/3 and 1/2 of the price of a off the shelf model

i used to have a link how this guy made flanges for large diam. pvc pipe
if i can find it i will post it

oh and for cheap venturis visit ebay

 

[hangner]

found it!
http://www.koiphen.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45037

 

[26pets]

Wow that's a big UV ya I'll probably base this of a skimmer just make some tweaks here and there.

 

[26pets]

What type of pump would I need to run something this big?

 

[aglarond]

For something like this I would forgo the protein skimmer DIY project and instead adopt an algae scrubber DIY project. See the link. For that much volume and that much feeding a skimmer would be less effective at removing nutrients than a scrubber.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180385

 

[26pets]

Sounds really interesting something new to try. Would this replace the skimmer? Also how big of a sheet would I need for 1,617 gallons?

 

[26pets]

Bump?

 

[hangner]

seems like an interesting idea i think you would need a group of smaller panels
the thing though is that you are removing nutrients and algea so i dont know if it really serves the same function as a protein skimmer
the only thing you end up removing is the algea and what it eats nothing happens to the proteins this means you would need more frequent water chages and when youre talking about 1600g thats alot of saltmix...

im assuming you are asking about the skimmer pump and not the return pump
for the pump you want a reliable med to high pressure pump(because of the venturi)
so probably something like this:
http://www.customaquatic.com/estore/control/product/~product=WP-PCMAK-150
for a venturi like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mazzei-1585X-1-...ptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116
or you can alway pair a couple smaller, cheaper venturis together

 

[DB junkie]

http://www.topfathom.com/top-fathom.html

Myself..... I think I'de just buy one.... Probobly be a lot cheaper to just wait till one pops up here in the classifieds......