Update on new 415 gallon tank and pics of new skimmer and re
- Thread starter npaden
- Start date
I belive the 8" skimmer with the dual becket will do you a good job. This is a custom job, the buyer got what he wanted.The duel becket with 2 mag12 The 1 1/2 gatevalve maybe at its limit? But the maker said he would fix it. My b2 use a mak4 I need to open the valve all the way open and back off the pump. The pump also feeds my reactor. JFWIW. But the diameter of the skimmer may take alot of pressure from the pump making the gate valve not needing to be so big.
[ June 28, 2001: Message edited by: Iron ]
[ June 28, 2001: Message edited by: Iron ]
Guys, first of all I didnt say the Bullet3 I said the HSA 2000 or 1000.
Second of all, it's not all about cubick inches. Its what the water does in those inches. Otherwise why don't you just biuld yourself a box thats 2 feet cubed with a small 3 inch opening ontop for a cup.That will give you 13,824 cubick inches without the 3 inch cup on top. On the other hand if I built a tube with a standard venturi that is just 4 feet high, I guarentee you it will skimm alot better. It's what you do with the water and air.Thats why MYREEF built you a skimmer witha HSA type tube. Its the force that goes against the bubbles as they try to rise. Thats why we have contercurrent skimmers.
The third thing is that skimmers are rated for selling and if you speak to any rep dealer they will tell you that for a hard core reef tank ,cut the gph in half.
Im not trying to be a tool,just MO.
Second of all, it's not all about cubick inches. Its what the water does in those inches. Otherwise why don't you just biuld yourself a box thats 2 feet cubed with a small 3 inch opening ontop for a cup.That will give you 13,824 cubick inches without the 3 inch cup on top. On the other hand if I built a tube with a standard venturi that is just 4 feet high, I guarentee you it will skimm alot better. It's what you do with the water and air.Thats why MYREEF built you a skimmer witha HSA type tube. Its the force that goes against the bubbles as they try to rise. Thats why we have contercurrent skimmers.
The third thing is that skimmers are rated for selling and if you speak to any rep dealer they will tell you that for a hard core reef tank ,cut the gph in half.
Im not trying to be a tool,just MO.
Howdy,
Since Myreef is checking out this post, I'll ask him. I haven't seen Becket injectors like the ones you used on this skimmer. What are they. I have a 1408 that I was going to build my DIY skimmer around, but it is just a simple looking fountain head, and not the black tubular structure as in your skimmer. What are you using?
I think the skimmer should handle his tank. I am wondering if the calcium reactor is big enough for that size tank? Are you only going to use the single chamber, or add a second one somewhere down the line.
Thanks and good luck,
Scott.
Since Myreef is checking out this post, I'll ask him. I haven't seen Becket injectors like the ones you used on this skimmer. What are they. I have a 1408 that I was going to build my DIY skimmer around, but it is just a simple looking fountain head, and not the black tubular structure as in your skimmer. What are you using?
I think the skimmer should handle his tank. I am wondering if the calcium reactor is big enough for that size tank? Are you only going to use the single chamber, or add a second one somewhere down the line.
Thanks and good luck,
Scott.
Nathan, I fully agree with josh on this one. When a skimmer's design is taken into consideration, contact area is not the only variable. an equilibrium must be met between contact area and contact time. the longer the bubbles stay against the pressure from a downdraft, the more efficient. ultimately, it's the bubble the strips the organics outta the water. if contact area is the only variable, you might as well dump loads of air curtain into ya sump, which i believe will provide the most contact area, other than the main tank.
no, this issue is not about Andy's design, in fact, it's not about any damn design. i guess what josh is trying to say is that you are not really accurate when you judge a skimmer's performance purely on contact area. other variable counts. it's proven that the downdraft or counter current hugely improves the skimming capabilites.
damn, i gotta type these in my first post
BTW, congrats on your incoming tank
i'm green with envy
[ June 29, 2001: Message edited by: oyster ]
no, this issue is not about Andy's design, in fact, it's not about any damn design. i guess what josh is trying to say is that you are not really accurate when you judge a skimmer's performance purely on contact area. other variable counts. it's proven that the downdraft or counter current hugely improves the skimming capabilites.
damn, i gotta type these in my first post
BTW, congrats on your incoming tank
[ June 29, 2001: Message edited by: oyster ]
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by srbayless:
<STRONG>Howdy,
Since Myreef is checking out this post, I'll ask him. I haven't seen Becket injectors like the ones you used on this skimmer. What are they. I have a 1408 that I was going to build my DIY skimmer around, but it is just a simple looking fountain head, and not the black tubular structure as in your skimmer. What are you using?
I think the skimmer should handle his tank. I am wondering if the calcium reactor is big enough for that size tank? Are you only going to use the single chamber, or add a second one somewhere down the line.
Thanks and good luck,
Scott.</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Scott, they are 1408's. They are just housed in the 2" pipe. It makes it much easier to put the needle valve on for air control. THe reactor is 6"x24". It will hold about 18 pounds of media. He does also have a smaller CA reactor that will now become his second chamber.
<STRONG>Howdy,
Since Myreef is checking out this post, I'll ask him. I haven't seen Becket injectors like the ones you used on this skimmer. What are they. I have a 1408 that I was going to build my DIY skimmer around, but it is just a simple looking fountain head, and not the black tubular structure as in your skimmer. What are you using?
I think the skimmer should handle his tank. I am wondering if the calcium reactor is big enough for that size tank? Are you only going to use the single chamber, or add a second one somewhere down the line.
Thanks and good luck,
Scott.</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Scott, they are 1408's. They are just housed in the 2" pipe. It makes it much easier to put the needle valve on for air control. THe reactor is 6"x24". It will hold about 18 pounds of media. He does also have a smaller CA reactor that will now become his second chamber.
Thank you OYSTER. You have a better way with words than I do.
Npad MTC does not use the box design.If you're refering to the sqare on the bottom of the skimmers, they call that the "sump". Its really a great design. The water mixes and enters ontop of that box and there is a plate under the downdraft tube which the water smashes against before rising. The plate is right ontop of the sump. The sump is to provide a tranquill (non turbulant) area for the returning water so that it can be as bubbless as possible before retuning to the main sump. You know how us reefers hate that!
Npad MTC does not use the box design.If you're refering to the sqare on the bottom of the skimmers, they call that the "sump". Its really a great design. The water mixes and enters ontop of that box and there is a plate under the downdraft tube which the water smashes against before rising. The plate is right ontop of the sump. The sump is to provide a tranquill (non turbulant) area for the returning water so that it can be as bubbless as possible before retuning to the main sump. You know how us reefers hate that!
Before we turn this into a can or cannot handle this tank situation, why don't we let Nathan get his new tank, enjoy the moment for his new equipment and setup and wait and see.
Last time someone judged a skimmer before it was up and running, everyone flamed him for giving a review before it was wet. Why don't we let this get setup and get water in it before we judge this skimmer or any skimmer. Everyone thinks they have the best equipment for amount of dollar spent, otherwise they would not have bought it, whether it be a tank, skimmer, lights, or anything.
Just my $.02, but don't rain on Nathan's day in the sun! I wish I had room for a system as large as he is getting.
Last time someone judged a skimmer before it was up and running, everyone flamed him for giving a review before it was wet. Why don't we let this get setup and get water in it before we judge this skimmer or any skimmer. Everyone thinks they have the best equipment for amount of dollar spent, otherwise they would not have bought it, whether it be a tank, skimmer, lights, or anything.
Just my $.02, but don't rain on Nathan's day in the sun! I wish I had room for a system as large as he is getting.
Cheese Sandwich, I'm assuming you wanted an update since you brought this thread back up?
Here are a few comments.
1. The skimmer is working great. I'll post a couple pics of it in action at the bottom of the post.
2. The 1.5" gate valve is perfect. Running the skimmer with 2 - Mag 12's I'm pretty sure there is at least 2,000 gph going through it and I have to crank the gate valve closed a bit to get the water level up to the riser tube. At first I thought I could run it without the gate valve and leave it wide open, but I ended up having to put the gate valve back on to raise the water level in the skimmer.
3. The tank is coming along with all the new rock finally in it and a couple weeks left before I start to move stuff over. I've already gone through a very quick diatom bloom that came and went in just over a week.
4. I'm going to enclose the stand and that is my next big project.
Here are a couple pics:
FWIW, Nathan
Here are a few comments.
1. The skimmer is working great. I'll post a couple pics of it in action at the bottom of the post.
2. The 1.5" gate valve is perfect. Running the skimmer with 2 - Mag 12's I'm pretty sure there is at least 2,000 gph going through it and I have to crank the gate valve closed a bit to get the water level up to the riser tube. At first I thought I could run it without the gate valve and leave it wide open, but I ended up having to put the gate valve back on to raise the water level in the skimmer.
3. The tank is coming along with all the new rock finally in it and a couple weeks left before I start to move stuff over. I've already gone through a very quick diatom bloom that came and went in just over a week.
4. I'm going to enclose the stand and that is my next big project.
Here are a couple pics:
FWIW, Nathan
George,
On the threads that I've seen on both ReefCentral and Reefs.org, you're coming off as too much of a salesman that *wants* to sell skimmers as a primary goal and is a reef hobbyist second. That's probably why you got banned from their forum. Geo and MyReef came about selling skimmers completely by word of mouth and in a round about way. They're hobbyists first and just enjoy DIY'ing equipment. When people were talking about their AquaC's, etc, in various threads, Geo or MyReef just said something like "Here's my diy skimmer that I made. Check it out." and posted a pic of it. People thought they looked pretty cool and inquired if they made them for other people as well. They came across much more "subdued" than you are. You need to change your tactic man.
It's nothing about you or your skimmer. It's simply that you're coming off as too much of a salesman and looks very SPAM'ish. I mean, you started off a number of your posts as "Hi, I'm so and so from Adam's Aquatics. I make the Typhoon skimmer, have you heard of it?"
FWIW, if you email JohnL or one of the moderators over at RC and tell them you'll play nice and not post with a commercial air about things, they might reinstate your privlidges...
FWIW,
Shane
[ April 25, 2002: Message edited by: LiquidShaneo ]</p>
On the threads that I've seen on both ReefCentral and Reefs.org, you're coming off as too much of a salesman that *wants* to sell skimmers as a primary goal and is a reef hobbyist second. That's probably why you got banned from their forum. Geo and MyReef came about selling skimmers completely by word of mouth and in a round about way. They're hobbyists first and just enjoy DIY'ing equipment. When people were talking about their AquaC's, etc, in various threads, Geo or MyReef just said something like "Here's my diy skimmer that I made. Check it out." and posted a pic of it. People thought they looked pretty cool and inquired if they made them for other people as well. They came across much more "subdued" than you are. You need to change your tactic man.
FWIW, if you email JohnL or one of the moderators over at RC and tell them you'll play nice and not post with a commercial air about things, they might reinstate your privlidges...
FWIW,
Shane
[ April 25, 2002: Message edited by: LiquidShaneo ]</p>
Nathan, long time no sqeak, hope your well.
Just wondered if you could answer a little question for me. If you look at the picture above you will see the overflow set up of the left side of your reef.
My question is regarding the flexy tube in the middle of the overflow box. Is that the inlet that feeds the outlet to its right hand side for the Sea Swirls?
If so, could you answer me this, because ive asked quite a few people an no-one can answer me.
Why does the closed loop circulation line take water from a bulkhead in the side of the overflow box, and not from behind the overflow?
Ill make this clear becasue i think people have been confused by my question before. Why doesn't the closed loop feed the sea swirls from a simple strainer/bulkhead in the base of the inside of the overflow box?
Because as far as i can see your drawing water from the closed loop directly from the main tank.
My plans for a closed loop, durso overflow set up would mean that the water for the loops would actually have to come over the top of the overflow. And not through the side of it as i presume it does in yours?
Its allways puzzled me, and im sure theres a reason because ive never seen one set up as i describe. They allways feed the closed loop through the side of the tank, sometimes comeing through the overflow like yours does. But never feeding the closed loop from inside the overflow box.
I hope you understand what im saying, and im stumped for a reason why it couldn't be done the way i suggest?
Oh, BTW, i love the additional closed loop outlets going allong the back of the tank. Great idea, i might have to pinch that
Mouse, the only thing I can think of why they would do this is so that you don't have additional water flowing over the overflow that doesn't need to. The reason water is flowing over the overflow is to skim off the top layer of water and take it to the sump. Since closed loops are generally a higher GPH, it might just be to keep from overwhelming the overflow.
My $0.02 guess.
Shane
My $0.02 guess.
Shane
Heh, guess this thread got brought back from the dead! I wanted it to end when that guy kept hassling me on the skimmer design!
The skimmer is still working great and I've switched to running it with 1 ampmaster instead of 2 - Mag 12's.
Mouse - I have my tank up against the wall so I didn't have the option of having my bulkheads coming out the back of the tank. That's why I'm coming up through the overflow box. I'm afraid if you just stuck an intake inside your overflow box like you mentioned you would have troubles with bubbles getting into your semi-closed loop. Also you would have to design your overflow boxes to hand the tremedous flow of the return pump + the recirculation pump.
If I had it to do over again I would have incorporated 2 closed loop setups each with 2 - 1.5" intakes and 2 - 1.5" outputs. The suction on the single 1.5" intake proved excessive and would suck air from top of the water in a whirlpool effect even though the intake is about 5" below the waterline. It would also destroy any snail that got near it. I've since had to add an additional intake to alleviate this.
I'm debating setting up another closed loop but haven't gotten the idea right in my head yet on how I'm going to accomplish this.
FWIW, Nathan
The skimmer is still working great and I've switched to running it with 1 ampmaster instead of 2 - Mag 12's.
Mouse - I have my tank up against the wall so I didn't have the option of having my bulkheads coming out the back of the tank. That's why I'm coming up through the overflow box. I'm afraid if you just stuck an intake inside your overflow box like you mentioned you would have troubles with bubbles getting into your semi-closed loop. Also you would have to design your overflow boxes to hand the tremedous flow of the return pump + the recirculation pump.
If I had it to do over again I would have incorporated 2 closed loop setups each with 2 - 1.5" intakes and 2 - 1.5" outputs. The suction on the single 1.5" intake proved excessive and would suck air from top of the water in a whirlpool effect even though the intake is about 5" below the waterline. It would also destroy any snail that got near it. I've since had to add an additional intake to alleviate this.
I'm debating setting up another closed loop but haven't gotten the idea right in my head yet on how I'm going to accomplish this.
FWIW, Nathan
Thanks Nathan & Liquid,
I just get so worried about bulkheads in the main tank. It just seems the lowest common denominator as far as leaks and things are concerned. But i suppose if you have enough inlets then as you say, you could probably put your hand over it and not even feel any sucktion.
Is 3500 GPH too much to go over the top of a single overflow?
I agree with the surface skimming but how effective can that be witout the skimmer directly connected to the out flow?
[ April 25, 2002: Message edited by: Mouse ]</p>
I just get so worried about bulkheads in the main tank. It just seems the lowest common denominator as far as leaks and things are concerned. But i suppose if you have enough inlets then as you say, you could probably put your hand over it and not even feel any sucktion.
Is 3500 GPH too much to go over the top of a single overflow?
I agree with the surface skimming but how effective can that be witout the skimmer directly connected to the out flow?
[ April 25, 2002: Message edited by: Mouse ]</p>
Mouse,
My overflow boxes are 20"X8" and nearly 100% open (the eggcrate style, not notches) and I would still say that they should probably only be counted on to handle 4,000 gph each. The tank manufacturer said they could handle 3,000 gph but I think he was being a little conservative based on the fact that I've run 5,000 gph through both of them combined and the water was at about the 75% mark.
Those are mammoth as far as overflow boxes go IMO (they hold 25 gallons each) so yours would probably be pushing it to run 3,500 gph through.
FWIW, Nathan
My overflow boxes are 20"X8" and nearly 100% open (the eggcrate style, not notches) and I would still say that they should probably only be counted on to handle 4,000 gph each. The tank manufacturer said they could handle 3,000 gph but I think he was being a little conservative based on the fact that I've run 5,000 gph through both of them combined and the water was at about the 75% mark.
Those are mammoth as far as overflow boxes go IMO (they hold 25 gallons each) so yours would probably be pushing it to run 3,500 gph through.
FWIW, Nathan
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