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View Full Version : Choosing the right pump for a skimmer

Mackelshak
11/26/2007, 06:29 AM
I finished my self-built skimmer yesterdayand for testing I installed a small pond pump with a tuned wheel. Thsi pump seems to be too small for this skimmer because there were less air bubbles in it. But how do I choose the right pump?
dzeadow
11/26/2007, 08:16 AM
did you test it in saltwater? Freshwater doesn't give an accurate "bubble test."
Mackelshak
11/26/2007, 08:35 AM
Yes I tested in saltwater.
dzeadow
11/26/2007, 08:44 AM
how are you supplying the air for the pump? Venturi? I'm guessing it came with a venturi fitting of sorts, is the venturi before or after the pump? Oh, and what's a tuned wheel? Is that like a needle wheel or meshe wheel or something?
Mackelshak
11/26/2007, 08:54 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11256215#post11256215 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dzeadow
how are you supplying the air for the pump? Venturi?

No Venturi. It's just an air tube before the pump.

Oh, and what's a tuned wheel? Is that like a needle wheel or meshe wheel or something?

It's some kind of meshe wheel. I drilled some holes into the original wheel and pulled fishing line through them.
JaredWaites
11/26/2007, 09:12 AM
Pictures are worth 1000 words.
Mackelshak
11/26/2007, 09:42 AM
Ok! Here's a picture of the wheel:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r195/Mackelshak/IMG_0868.jpg

and here's the air intake:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r195/Mackelshak/IMG_0865.jpg

I don't have any pictures of the running skimmer because it's leaking but I'll post them later.
JaredWaites
11/26/2007, 10:04 AM
Your indeed right about that pump being too small ;)

How big is your skimmer? (another picture)
Mackelshak
11/26/2007, 10:32 AM
Here it comes:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r195/Mackelshak/IMG_0885.jpg
JaredWaites
11/26/2007, 01:27 PM
I'd try using a Mag 9.5 or a Mag 18.

Venturi skimmers need a high volume of water to work correctly.

Also I'd consider on re-doing the impeller with a mesh wheel, there are plenty of threads available to look on. That or add more fishing line ;)
Mackelshak
11/26/2007, 05:26 PM
Such big pumps? I have a Aquabee 3000 lying here with 790 gph but it needs a lot of power (45W). Will this power be lower when I use a meshwheel? You wrote that for venturi a lot of water is needed. Is there maybe another method for air injection which doesn't need so much water (and energy)?