skimmers high cost vs DIY

[jedwards]

Hi,

I've been lurking around here for a couple of months but this is my first post. I just started my first salt-water setup in Janurary in a 55G tank, and I've done most everything wrong so far. ..

I didn't realize that what I want is a reef aquarium and what that meant as far as filtration, lighting, etc until I had an established tank. and so I've been backfitting ever since.

I built a light hood and have 4x55w pc lights.

I built syphon overflow and sump last week and have it running on a fresh water test right now, its working, it seems quiet enough, I think I'll need a bigger pump though. (I'm running a 402 pwrhead for the return pump.)

Now I'm trying to figure out the skimmer and I think I've narrowed it down to one of three choices.

Reef devil

Lifereef

or a DIY based on a beckett foamer

Both of these skimmers are rather expensive for my budget, but the plans I've found for the beckett seem to lack detail. I want this thing to fit in my 28" tall cabiniet and I want it to be quiet. I'm interested in your experiences, anything that might help me make a choice.

Thanks,

Jim

 

[brokekyle]

this skimmer is 30" tall ..
http://home.pacbell.net/kylesr/mysump.jpg

I could have easily knocked off 4-6" in height

 

[jedwards]

I gather from some of the discussions I've seen that maybe the beckett is too big. Has anyone tried using the 1/2" fountain heads Ie seen from Oase and Nursery pro?

 

[lemonyx]

Hi There,

I have a diy beckett and sized it to my cabinet height, 25". But to compensate for that, it has a longer "down" tube, about 14". With the beckett in place and the hose barb screw'd on, it's almost as tall as the skimmer. So, you can diy but have more room custonize it. By the way, if you are going to diy, your riser's would be only 4" instead of 6" like mine. So the size will be small, in foot print but not so in height.

Most of the infomation on the diy beckett is on Reef Central.
HTH 8) 8)

 

[lemonyx]

Hi There,

I have a diy beckett and sized it to my cabinet height, 25". But to compensate for that, it has a longer "down" tube, about 14". With the beckett in place and the hose barb screw'd on, it's almost as tall as the skimmer. So, you can diy but have more room custonize it. By the way, if you are going to diy, your riser's would be only 4" instead of 6" like mine. So the size will be small, in foot print (base)but not so in height.
Checkout "skimmer 101" by snailman. It tells you on graph size of tank, then size of material and so on. Do a check on the diy threads back to june or so, lot's of guy's making the skimmer.

Most of the infomation on the diy beckett is on Reef Central.
HTH 8) 8)

any ? just PM me

 

[markc]

Hi I have built 2 skimmers using becketts drop me an Email and I will post details after 10 months

[email protected]

 

[platapus]

I have built a couple of these skimmers too, they are very customizable to fit into different size stands - If you need any help email me. Here are some pics, of the ones I have built:
http://www.bluechunks.net/reef/skimmer
http://www.bluechunks.net/reef/skimmer2

 

[arnjer]

I am looking for plans that are very simple for a skimmer. I have never built one before and am not running sump. I have an old10 gal i could put under the tank. The tank is not drilled and I don't want to drill it. It's a 90 gal reef. If anyone could e-mailme plans it would be much appreciated.

Thanx

Jerry

[email protected]

 

[Anonymous]

Platypus, that's one hell of a skimmer you built there. Good job!

Louey