Has anyone built and used the skimmer design that is in Calfo's book, also refered to as Nelson's? It is a basic counter current that I am considering building. My plan is to use 4" pvc and have 2-3 in series for a system that will be 300-500 gallons. Not sure yet how many systems I will plumb together
Calfo skimmer design
- Thread starter Rob Top
- Start date
I think I'l combine calfo's design, snailman's, one I found on aquariacentral, and oz's site. I just need to deside how many tanks will be on this system so I know how big to make it. As of now I think it will be my 220, 125, 2x75 plus sump in the 200gal range. so I will be doing something for 700 gals....thinking two 8" skimmers that are 6' tall.
I'm looking at a piston air pump, not sure which one though. Otherwise I would need something like a luft pump on each and that would get too much. As for airstones I think I will be going a DYI route there too and make them out of basswood. As for a becket, I have an AeroFoamer that uses a becket and I think they are great skimmers, BUT I have been reading a lot on line, plus Calfo's book and Escobal's and I have come to the belief that counter current with a slow flow on a tall skimmer is the best way to go. For a becket to work properly the water flow has to be so quick that some of the stuff isn't getting stripped away. While I look at these high end skimmers and see the skimmate, and it is good, I am struck by the science that is put forth in Escobal's book.
more I think about this and do the math for the cost I might go with some recirculating type pump to off set the air stone cost. At some point I am guessing that this would cost out to be cheaper. 10x what ever pump vs a large air pump, plus 30-40 stones every couple weeks. Maintanice would be much easier too.
ack.. didnt mean to discourge you.. sorry..
Ive just recently seen corilife has new more powerfull compression pumps.. I would try one of those and get some of the sweetwater fine pore difusers and let it rip..
the pumps run from 40-70 bucks from what Ive seen..
and the new glass difusers dont need the constant maintance (they dont requre as much backpreasure either) then the wood stones.. some are getting about a year out of the stones then you can clean them in a muratic acid bath..
Ive seen some newer experiments with airdiffusors that has make it a worth while project IMO..
Ive just recently seen corilife has new more powerfull compression pumps.. I would try one of those and get some of the sweetwater fine pore difusers and let it rip..
the pumps run from 40-70 bucks from what Ive seen..
and the new glass difusers dont need the constant maintance (they dont requre as much backpreasure either) then the wood stones.. some are getting about a year out of the stones then you can clean them in a muratic acid bath..
Ive seen some newer experiments with airdiffusors that has make it a worth while project IMO..
Coralife Super Luft Air Pump
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_air ... sp?CartId=
or the bigger one..
http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/air_pump_luft.html
and..
Sweetwater Fine-Pore Diffusers
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fus ... 1/cid/2328
these stones are reported to go up to a year and then you can clean them with some muratic acid from the hardare store (like ace).. they shouldnt need replacement.. unless you can figure out how to break them.. LOL
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_air ... sp?CartId=
or the bigger one..
http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/air_pump_luft.html
and..
Sweetwater Fine-Pore Diffusers
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fus ... 1/cid/2328
these stones are reported to go up to a year and then you can clean them with some muratic acid from the hardare store (like ace).. they shouldnt need replacement.. unless you can figure out how to break them.. LOL
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