Large Skimmers - Options?

[RipSlider]

I'm looking at getting a large skimmer capable of dealing with 1,200 litre tank + sump and 'fuge.

Wharf Aquatics have reccommended that I use a Deltec AP702, which I like the sound of as it seems to cope with the capacity and is appearntly very good and is nice and short at 25". Terefore I duely brought one of these.

However, I wrote to Bob Fenner and he reccommend that for a tank of my size I would need 200mg of ozone, and the AP702 is only reated for 50mg.

So, what I'm wondering is, do I need to change the skimmer to something that will take the ozone, and if so, what would I change it to? ( The hieght is a major consideration. I only have 29" of height, and I will need to be able to take cup off )

However, maybe it would be better to do without the ozone??

What do people think?

Thanks

Steve

 

[BabySealClubber]

RipSlider: IMO a 50mg/hr ozonizer will be just fine for your tank. Dosing ozone at a rate as low as 0.1mg/hr/gal will still give great results. Your setup only really needs about 50mg/hr.

 

[andywg]

Have you considered a homemade skimmer? You could make it shorter and fatter.

 

[RipSlider]

Having had a look at some of the "big" skimmers, I don't think I have the requiste skills or workshop.

Would try if it was smaller though.

Steve

 

[andywg]

There are a number of designs on the internet. The hardest part (as far as I can see) is cutting the cyclinder well neough to get a good join for the inlet, outlets and so on.

Essentially it is a tube which narrows at the top and then has a wider collection cup. Water goes in the top and out the bottom (in a counter current) and you then need a way to get bubbles in. A popular way on larger skimmers is venturi. You have a pump that draws water from the cylinder and pumps it back in, but with an air line attached so that air can mix with the water, creating the bubbles.

I have seen some skimmers that have 3 eheim hobby pumps running for the venturi.

If you have the space then a very tall air stone driven skimmer is very good, though not many people have room under the stand for a 6 foot tall skimmer, nor do they want to replace the wooden air blocks once a month or so.

The largest obstacle I have found is getting the wide plastic culinders for a decent price (especially if you do the whole thing in clear acrylic).

 

[nate9]

get a shorty

 

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, making one yourself that functions as good as a manufacturer built skimmer is nearly impossible without a lathe. As andy said, cutting the main stack level so that it seals with the bottom piece is exceptionally difficult.