I'm looking for a skimmer for a 500 gallon shark tank i plan to build. I have read people often use the rk2 skimmers but i am looking for a cheaper alternative. i would be open to the idea of a diy skimmer but i do want this to be the focal point of the filtration system. Before i hear any complaints on the aquarium size know the sharks i plan on keeping are a cold water species reaching a max size of 18".
skimmer for 500 gallon shark tank
- Thread starter dingodan
- Start date
If by skimmer you mean protein skimmer (foam fractionator), I have built a few using the plans on koiphen.com (although I reduced the size), in the DIY section under building a phoam phractionator. Although I use mine on freshwater tanks, and ponds, I believe it would also apply to salt. It is simple to build and operate.
Here is a video of it working on a small pond (approx 500 gal)
click to start
Here is a video of it working on a small pond (approx 500 gal)
click to start
I actually saw that previously and i was going to try something like that, but then i also read a few times that protein skimmers that incorporate air stones can be more efficient. protein skimmer efficiency will be critical for this tank and will probably have to be sized as if i had a 1000 gallon aquarium.
Airstones are often helpful when the air water interface is not sufficiently agitated by a pump that is not strong enough.
I have found with this method I have no problem creating foam, in fresh water with only 900 gph.
Most people will tell you fractionation is almost impossible to generate, or does not work in fresh, only salt.
I think the foam generated by mine, and others on koiphen, speaks for itself.
I have found with this method I have no problem creating foam, in fresh water with only 900 gph.
Most people will tell you fractionation is almost impossible to generate, or does not work in fresh, only salt.
I think the foam generated by mine, and others on koiphen, speaks for itself.
how do you decide on how tall to build the tower? is taller always better or is there a limit? also how do you find what gph works best for the skimmer?
Mine are scaled down compared to the original DIY design, and are only about 4 ft tall and only 4 inches in diameter.
Because you are planning a shark tank, I would think you'd want plenty of water movement to simulate ocean currents, so a large pump would be needed.
I split my lines using T fittings with one line to the fractionater and one in another direction into tank, or sump. Because foam is created by agitation over the biomedia by strength of flow, I use a valve to control it, if the foam isn't being created, I increase flow.
If too much flow is overpowering the fractionater, I throttle back flow by closing the valve a little.
For me in fresh water a flow of about 900gph is needed to create foam.
I would imagine in salt water, less flow would be required to create foam due to the saltwater density, but because you have sharks, I would think a pump of 1800 gph or more would be minimum.
Remember this fractionator is also a biotower because the water is crashing over media (in my case lava rock) and acts as a substrate for aerobic activity which creates a very robust biofilm, hence the lava rock handles biofiltration.
In the short video below I am opening a valve to control flow on an outside tank fractionater, and you can see how when opened too far water passes out the foam port, stopping the creation of foam, when throttled back bubbles are formed and foam is again created
Because you are planning a shark tank, I would think you'd want plenty of water movement to simulate ocean currents, so a large pump would be needed.
I split my lines using T fittings with one line to the fractionater and one in another direction into tank, or sump. Because foam is created by agitation over the biomedia by strength of flow, I use a valve to control it, if the foam isn't being created, I increase flow.
If too much flow is overpowering the fractionater, I throttle back flow by closing the valve a little.
For me in fresh water a flow of about 900gph is needed to create foam.
I would imagine in salt water, less flow would be required to create foam due to the saltwater density, but because you have sharks, I would think a pump of 1800 gph or more would be minimum.
Remember this fractionator is also a biotower because the water is crashing over media (in my case lava rock) and acts as a substrate for aerobic activity which creates a very robust biofilm, hence the lava rock handles biofiltration.
In the short video below I am opening a valve to control flow on an outside tank fractionater, and you can see how when opened too far water passes out the foam port, stopping the creation of foam, when throttled back bubbles are formed and foam is again created