Show your big skimmer

[buffalo123]

Wondering if bigger free standing skimmer do a better job of skimming than insump smaller skimmers. The one annoying concern is skimmer overflow onto floor. So what precauton added to freestanding skimmers?

[worm5406]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ky1NC3o41kc/UPyu_reHRaI/AAAAAAAA8Yc/VNybISFa4Po/s800/20130120_215807.jpg

That is a 40 breeder sump.

I am going to put a home made drip tray below it.

On startup the air intakes sometimes fill with water and fill the muffler up.

[fishyguy7]

here is mine. Reef Octopus XP-5000ext

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w87/fishyguy1981/Trex%20700/fish%20tank/photo_zpse43cfd20.jpg

[fishyguy7]

lets try that again

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w87/fishyguy1981/photo_zpsb4ea1991.jpg

[buffalo123]

I wondered if a drip tray is enough, i guess you can put the skimmer in a small rubbermade container, as long as the pump can be submerged if the skimmer goes really crazy.

[worm5406]

I wondered if a drip tray is enough, i guess you can put the skimmer in a small rubbermade container, as long as the pump can be submerged if the skimmer goes really crazy.

Well I have a overflow bucket setup for the collection cup. So the cup is not a problem. As you can see it is up on a platform to meet the height for the discharge. So I have room below for a good size collection chamber for just a small leak.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bm4clqnGg9Y/UQi4pBN22UI/AAAAAAAA8Ak/ldJa36ocZG8/s800/20130130_010627.jpg

[buffalo123]

That'll work. need that bit of safety

[fishyguy7]

Ok what gives? My picture was up there a couple hours ago and now its gone






http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w87/fishyguy1981/fish%20tank/photo_zpsb4ea1991.jpg

[stan zemanek]

Here ya go, my big 48" HSA downdraft skimmer in the basement working the sump to the left in the picture. Tank is 150 gallon directly above on 1st floor. thing skims like a beast but the pump is a power hog. Plus its a pain in the but to clean the head because I have to have it elevated so high. With the new tank I will be able to drop it down about 24" because the new sump is under the tank.
The new tank to the right is just about ready for water. The plan for now is to use the same skimmer temporarily until I can decide on what new needle wheel skimmer I want.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e319/paintman27/IMG_2203_zpsde76defa.jpg

[ridetheducati]

Found this picture in my archives.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/ridetheducati/archive/enhancedskimmer1.jpg

Powering the monster down.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/ridetheducati/archive/skimmerbeforemod.jpg

[biecacka]

Stan, why you going to a needlewheel?
Corey

[Slystone]

But, is bigger better gentlemen?

[PistolShrmp]

But, is bigger better gentlemen?

Of course it is!

[buffalo123]

But, is bigger better gentlemen?

Bigger certainly have more contact time so it has more opportunity to get the stuff in there .
I would think slimmer would be better also but have not seen a large slim skimmer; or even an extra long slim neck on a skimmer..

[buffalo123]

Made a quick build' long neck skimmer and the foam is thicker first observation have to adjust to allow the foam to get to the top faster or it takes a while.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q175/b1maxc32/DSCF05011_zps5e56b8d6.jpg

[mm949]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=53&pictureid=265

[uny2bld]

we should make this a contest

[rich19020]

You guys keep everything so clean. How do you do it?

[Treg]

Old picture.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b239/texasholdemtreg/Sump-Room-2.jpg

[uny2bld]

we should make this a contest

becasue it's the only one I think I could ever win...

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j447/uny2bld/20130323_094226_zpsf65c86d9.jpg



These were custom skimmers made for a company down in the city. They had them on giagantic 20,000 gallon "troths" that ran the length of the building (actually it was an airplane hanger that the company purchased from what I remember)

I have to cut a hole in the floor since the skimmer cup won't fit without doing so but at leats it will be easy to clean out ;)

[ca1ore]

Here ya go, my big 48" HSA downdraft skimmer in the basement working the sump to the left in the picture. Tank is 150 gallon directly above on 1st floor. thing skims like a beast but the pump is a power hog. Plus its a pain in the but to clean the head because I have to have it elevated so high. With the new tank I will be able to drop it down about 24" because the new sump is under the tank.
The new tank to the right is just about ready for water. The plan for now is to use the same skimmer temporarily until I can decide on what new needle wheel skimmer I want.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e319/paintman27/IMG_2203_zpsde76defa.jpg

Always liked the MTC stuff. My big skimmer got crushed under a fallen trunk while in long-term storage. Do you think the new needle wheel skimmers will be better?

[buffalo123]

becasue it's the only one I think I could ever win...

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j447/uny2bld/20130323_094226_zpsf65c86d9.jpg



These were custom skimmers made for a company down in the city. They had them on giagantic 20,000 gallon "troths" that ran the length of the building (actually it was an airplane hanger that the company purchased from what I remember)

I have to cut a hole in the floor since the skimmer cup won't fit without doing so but at leats it will be easy to clean out ;)

Winner ! Iseen some public aquarium skimmers about that size

[SUPERSTOCKRACER]

Always liked the MTC stuff. My big skimmer got crushed under a fallen trunk while in long-term storage. Do you think the new needle wheel skimmers will be better?


NO, MTC skimmers are the best technology out there. if you fit the taller one keep it or get a new one.i'm a dealer if you need a new one

[fishyguy7]

You guys keep everything so clean. How do you do it?

Lots and lots of time :lolspin: I would guess on average I spend 1.5-2 hours a night in my fish room tinkering with stuff

[Pdm2476]

haha Great pics UN

[mm949]

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/217437_536133553074893_401023587_n.jpg

[mm949]

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/702_556895004332081_1672086086_n.jpg

[worm5406]

wow...
http://c.shld.net/rpx/i/s/pi/mp/22761/5931587205p?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.customdistribution.net%2Fimages%2Fproducts%2Flarge%2Fps-rk1000-pe.jpg&d=48d245bdef3bb03d738918b5d8b2a695f0d04559

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/evolust/MVC-034S.jpg

[Offshore357]

Ok what gives? My picture was up there a couple hours ago and now its gone






http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w87/fishyguy1981/fish%20tank/photo_zpsb4ea1991.jpg

Nice setup. Does the bp feeding into the skimmer like that mess with the water level.

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2

[worm5406]

Sometimes they are flagged as spam. A moderator has to unflag it so we can all see it.

[SaltwaterSensei]

uny2bld,

Crazy skimmer, did you make it yourself? I have a question; I've seen uber large skimmers like that, that are quite wide and quite tall yet the collection cup riser is substantially much more narrow in relation to the rest of the skimmer, in some cases it looks much smaller then some "hobby" skimmer (in terms of size of skimmer body to size of cup riser). Why is this and how does it effect functionality and efficiency ?

Thanks,
Jess

[uny2bld]

uny2bld,

Crazy skimmer, did you make it yourself? I have a question; I've seen uber large skimmers like that, that are quite wide and quite tall yet the collection cup riser is substantially much more narrow in relation to the rest of the skimmer, in some cases it looks much smaller then some "hobby" skimmer (in terms of size of skimmer body to size of cup riser). Why is this and how does it effect functionality and efficiency ?

Thanks,
Jess

Yea, I thought that too when I bought it but it doesn't really need a large cup because there is a 1" bulkhead right on the side of the collection cup that you attach a flexline right to the sink, etc. So you don't have to manually drain the cup...

[sail33]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ky1NC3o41kc/UPyu_reHRaI/AAAAAAAA8Yc/VNybISFa4Po/s800/20130120_215807.jpg

That is a 40 breeder sump.

I am going to put a home made drip tray below it.

On startup the air intakes sometimes fill with water and fill the muffler up.

Hey Worm
I've been in hospitals that weren't that clean ! Nice job !!

[worm5406]

Yeah I am an EMT and I have been in a LOT of hospitals that I would want to wear gloves on my shoes... HAHAHAHA

I painted it with:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JKd2NvheSJA/UO45beTHa8I/AAAAAAAA7aI/DgajtmwvPL8/s400/20130109_224423.jpg
Polyuretha<wbr>ne ENAMEL

All it takes is a wipe and it is clean. We put two coats on it and as you can see there is a slight sheen/gloss on it. Very nice and easy to keep tidy.

Look here BTW... a lot more pictures and video:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2261473

Thanks BTW

[Dave Thebrewguy]

becasue it's the only one I think I could ever win...

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j447/uny2bld/20130323_094226_zpsf65c86d9.jpg


That thing looks like it should have a phone in it.

[SERVO]

Good one Dave™

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

[cloak]

Some of those skimmers above will get U lifted... ;)

[buffalo123]

wow...
http://c.shld.net/rpx/i/s/pi/mp/22761/5931587205p?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.customdistribution.net%2Fimages%2Fproducts%2Flarge%2Fps-rk1000-pe.jpg&d=48d245bdef3bb03d738918b5d8b2a695f0d04559

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/evolust/MVC-034S.jpg

Is this still skimmer still being used, How big an aquarium?

[biecacka]

I think it'd work great on my 8 gallon nano:hmm2::hmm2::rolleye1:

Corey

[worm5406]

I think it'd work great on my 8 gallon nano:hmm2::hmm2::rolleye1:Corey
I would be afraid of it overflowing.

OR

Your 8 gallon would really be a 100 gallon system.

[DavidinGA]

Old picture.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b239/texasholdemtreg/Sump-Room-2.jpg



Damn I can't imagine how nice it must be to have a basement for your filtration setup...looks awesome by the way.

[buffalo123]

Made a quick build' long neck skimmer and the foam is thicker first observation have to adjust to allow the foam to get to the top faster or it takes a while.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q175/b1maxc32/DSCF05011_zps5e56b8d6.jpg

A few month have passed the long neck skimmer performance was fair, to get good skimming i would throttle back the outlet. However it would end up being too wet.
I decided to make the neck about 1 1/2 inch longer; not much room left in the cabinet or i would of went more.
The result was the skimmer went from fair to very good. My guess is increase contact time and more time for some drying of the foam. I can throttle back a bit more without filling the cup wet wet skimmate.
I'll see how it goes from here on.

[worm5406]

That is good. I understand what you mean about the added height.

The dwell/contact time really helps it.

[Get Hooked]

Ok what gives? My picture was up there a couple hours ago and now its gone






http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w87/fishyguy1981/fish%20tank/photo_zpsb4ea1991.jpg

Is the only source of water going into your Skimmer from the Bio Pellet reactor? I knew that was the preferred setup with Bio Pellets, but I have never seen a picture before. I'm assuming you match the outflow of the reactor to the intake (gph) of what the skimmer can handle?

[buffalo123]

A few month have passed the long neck skimmer performance was fair, to get good skimming i would throttle back the outlet. However it would end up being too wet.
I decided to make the neck about 1 1/2 inch longer; not much room left in the cabinet or i would of went more.
The result was the skimmer went from fair to very good. My guess is increase contact time and more time for some drying of the foam. I can throttle back a bit more without filling the cup wet wet skimmate.
I'll see how it goes from here on.

Further update . The skimmer is run by an old aquaclear 800 powerhead (modified a bit to fit the 3/4 pipe used as intake. It also has 2 airlines with airstones that allows it to suck in air. I remove one airstone from one of the airlines this cause an increase in foam , it has improved in skimming again.
The downside is the skimmer is a bit noisy as the pump pull in air.
Another downside is once the skimmer outlet and intake are set it seem to work great. However for some reason at night sometimes skimmer seem to go crazy over filling the cup.
So far i like the results i just wondered if the riser tube was longer if it would be a bit easier to set the inlet outlet flow. ( no room for that in the cabinet ). Very dry foam is easy to get but the balance between too wet and dry take a bit of adjusting over time.

[buffalo123]

Short video of the skimmer working. I had cleaned the cup earlier. The noise is the pump sucking in air.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=aOG1xGdW7uo

[mg1981]

cant believe someone asked if bigger is better.???.... this is an american forum. ..... of course it is!!!

....... p.s im from england so feel free to throw abuse back ha ha.

[buffalo123]

Short video of the skimmer working. I had cleaned the cup earlier. The noise is the pump sucking in air.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=aOG1xGdW7uo

The more i check out the operation of this skimmer the more i'm impressed. Its a beast compared to how it was before i extended the neck; comparing the skimmate produced. Starting to find it easier to adjust. I added another air hole in the cover.

[worm5406]

Here is a video I just took this past sunday.

It is cleaning the skimmer and the ATS.

<iframe width="960" height="720" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ELUaBrWFgrI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[buffalo123]

How often do you clean the skimmer?

[worm5406]

Normally between 7 and 14 days. That was about 21 days.

[saf1]

NO, MTC skimmers are the best technology out there. if you fit the taller one keep it or get a new one.i'm a dealer if you need a new one

Opinion.

[jinks]

I have used the mtc 5000 and while it did skim well I was not a fan. You know what I hate that it's covered in? Thumb screw. It was a pain to service and if junk or little snails got in the injectors it would start to spit out the air intake and make a huge mess.