MARS Monster Skimmer - Prototype Testing

Brian Prestwood · 01/01/2009, 12:48 PM

As promised here are some pictures of the MARS Monster Skimmer prototype testing...

The whole thing

Close up of the pump and diffuser plate

Close up of the pump and diffuser plate while running

Close up of the diffuers plate while running

These pictures are taken as the skimmer is starting. Once the skimmer is running you can't see the diffuser plate.

The collection cup

Specs...
Air Injection Method: Recirculating intake venturi with mesh modded impeller
Pump: Laguna Powerjet 2000
Power: 90 Watts
Air: 2.4K LPH (estimated)
Neck OD: 6"
Neck Height: 8"
Body OD: 8"
Body Height: 16"

The air intake is an estimate based on measurements I took of similar configurations with Mark Smith's airflow meter. When Mark gets back from holiday I'm going to test it again and tweak the venturi design a bit.

Mesh modded pumps typically inject around 1200 LPH of air per every 3000 LPH of rated water flow. This pump is rated at 7600 LPH of water flow. It should inject around 3000 LPH of air.

One thing I suspect is that this skimmer would perform better if it were a little shorter. I'm thinking a 12" tall body with a 6" tall neck.

P.Kelly · 01/01/2009, 12:56 PM

Very nice Brian. I've been waiting to see that thing in action. Now that you've done it once, what do you figure the price tag is for parts...

Brian Prestwood · 01/01/2009, 01:11 PM

Hey Pete

Thanks

Now that all the research is done I estimate it will cost around $300 to make each skimmer...

15" of 8" OD 3/16 wall cast acrylic tubing: $50
24" X 24" 3/16" thick cast acrylic sheet: $20
Laguna Powerjet 1500 Pump: $150
Misc Parts: $50
Consumables: $30

Western_reefer · 01/01/2009, 01:51 PM

If you need any help with testing out the skimmer, I would be more than happy to test the skimmers out.

kevin95695 · 01/01/2009, 04:00 PM

Hey Brian! I assume that can be run internally as well? If so, will performance be affected by water depth it is running in?

Brian Prestwood · 01/01/2009, 05:47 PM

Hey Kevin

This is a recirculating skimmer, vs single pass, design. It can be run internally or externally.

Recirculating skimmers are not affected by the water height in the sump the way single pass skimmers are.

Reefugee · 01/01/2009, 05:56 PM

That's one amazing skimmer! Great job Brian.

Whacked · 01/01/2009, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian Prestwood
Consumables: $30

Thats a few beers

Brian Prestwood · 01/01/2009, 09:41 PM

Beer and power tools, always an exciting combination

shiveley · 01/01/2009, 11:01 PM

Wow, lookin' good so far. Nice foam production, impressive skimmate potential...can't wait to see more!

Jar*Head · 01/01/2009, 11:51 PM

very impressive DIY protein skimmer. Great job

xinumaster · 01/02/2009, 12:01 AM

Well done, Brian. Can you take a picture of the pump volute?

Brian Prestwood · 01/02/2009, 09:38 AM

Thanks Jonathan, Steve & Perry

Perry

The volute is on the other side. I'll have uninstall the skimmer to take pictures. The volute is the part I expect to change when I put a meter on this thing so I didn't take any pictures.

CaptiveReefSystems · 01/03/2009, 01:21 AM

how do you service the pump?

dots · 01/03/2009, 01:43 AM

Promising results Brian, great job.

In your research, did you find a way to measure ultimate effectivness on a system so you can apply that as a method of testing?

Brian Prestwood · 01/03/2009, 09:30 AM

Bruce

Remove the flange and lift the pump out. I've taken it out and put it back dozens of times while tweaking the design.

Doug

Short answer, no, I have not quantified the overall skimming efficacy.

I am measuring the pumps performance with an airflow meter and a watt meter and I have matched the neck diameter to the airflow.

xinumaster · 01/03/2009, 11:45 AM

moooooore pictures please.

Brian Prestwood · 01/03/2009, 12:27 PM

Correction to my orignal post.

Needle wheel skimmer foam pumps nominally inject about 800 LPH of air for every 3000 LPH of rated water flow and use about 40 watts doing it.

Mesh modded pumps are more effecient. They inject about 800 lph of air for every 2000 LPH of rated water flow and use about 30 watts doing it.

Some notes...

Notice the 1" thick diffuser plate. It has apporx 70 3/16" holes that are counter sunk on the button. I used the thicker material in an attempt to columnate the flow out of the diffuser.

Notice the power cord coming out of the tank return riser. This allows the pump to come completely out of the skimmer w/o unscrewing main body fittings. That was Larry's idea.

Notice the 3/8" ID vynal tubing running through the body into the collection cup. The intake for the venturi is inside the collection cup.

This baffles the noise and prevents foam blow outs. It also prevents stinky air from coming out of the collection cup.

There is a 3/16" hole in the collection cup lid to replace the air that leaks out of the skimmer. Otherwise, there is an approx 2400 LPH flow of air circulating from the collection cup to the bottom of the skimmer and back.

As expected, with the pump inside the skimmer it is very quiet.

Brian Prestwood · 01/03/2009, 12:39 PM

Perry

About the only thing not shown is the other side of the pump. I'll take a picture of that the next time I take the skimmer out.

I plan on bringing it to the January MARS meeting and setting it up in a 15g tank to show it operating. I'll take a picture of the venturi side of the pump then, if not sooner.

The venturi is not anything special. All I did was shorten the intake a bit, cement a bit of PVC tubbing inside to decrease the size of the opening a bit then drill and fit a bit of 3/8" OD acrylic tubing (air intake) where the volute opens up wider.

Brian Prestwood · 01/03/2009, 12:58 PM

As I've always said, I based this design on the Bubble King Mini 200.

Differences...
This is a recirculating skimmer, the BK Mini is a single pass skimmer

This skimmer adjusts the water height by increasing the return height not restricting it.

The pump is a slightly modified Laguna Powerjet/Max flo 1500*. I did not increase the depth or diameter of the volute as Karl does.

*I've testing a Laguna 1300 and 2000. A 1500 seems to be the ideal size.

Matt_Wandell · 01/03/2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian Prestwood
This skimmer adjusts the water height by increasing the return height not restricting it.

You are my hero. Now if we could only get that through the heads of every single skimmer maker out there...

boviac · 01/08/2009, 11:59 AM

Very Cool Brian! Glad to see it's working but... is any design ever REALLY complete? I find they tend to just become obsolete. recall MARS skimmer Version 1? To have that kind of skimming power for a bit more than the previous version and same or less less ongoing watt consumption... I think I'm onboard!!! Now I just need some decent income...

kevin95695 · 01/08/2009, 12:05 PM

I think I want one

Brian Prestwood · 01/08/2009, 10:01 PM

Hey Chris

I'm sure they'll be tweaks. I'm already playing with the gap between the neck opening and the skirt on the collection cup cap. It was about 1.25". This was too big for the air flow out of the neck to push the foam down so decreased it to 0.5". I think that will work better.

Yes, I do recall the V1. Except for the pump the basic design was sound. I stuck a SICCE PSK-2500 on a V1 and it worked great. That's a good design for a 50-100g tank.

Brian Prestwood · 01/08/2009, 10:06 PM

Hey Kevin

I've been feed 4 tbsp a day (10x more than I was) almost two weeks and still no sign of increased nutrients or pest algae.

Obviously it is too early to tell but I suspect that's what a 2.4K lph airflow skimmer on a 200g tank allows.

01/01/2009, 12:48 PM	#1
Brian Prestwood Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 3,775	MARS Monster Skimmer - Prototype Testing As promised here are some pictures of the MARS Monster Skimmer prototype testing... The whole thing Close up of the pump and diffuser plate Close up of the pump and diffuser plate while running Close up of the diffuers plate while running These pictures are taken as the skimmer is starting. Once the skimmer is running you can't see the diffuser plate. The collection cup Specs... Air Injection Method: Recirculating intake venturi with mesh modded impeller Pump: Laguna Powerjet 2000 Power: 90 Watts Air: 2.4K LPH (estimated) Neck OD: 6" Neck Height: 8" Body OD: 8" Body Height: 16" The air intake is an estimate based on measurements I took of similar configurations with Mark Smith's airflow meter. When Mark gets back from holiday I'm going to test it again and tweak the venturi design a bit. Mesh modded pumps typically inject around 1200 LPH of air per every 3000 LPH of rated water flow. This pump is rated at 7600 LPH of water flow. It should inject around 3000 LPH of air. One thing I suspect is that this skimmer would perform better if it were a little shorter. I'm thinking a 12" tall body with a 6" tall neck. Last edited by Brian Prestwood; 01/01/2009 at 01:02 PM.

01/01/2009, 12:56 PM	#2
P.Kelly Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 3,881	Very nice Brian. I've been waiting to see that thing in action. Now that you've done it once, what do you figure the price tag is for parts... __________________ -Pete Support things worth supporting! Buy bras and reef club memberships. Current Tank Info: none

01/01/2009, 01:51 PM	#4
Western_reefer Reef keeper Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: 70° 17' 59.176"/-83° 6' 27.2768" Posts: 5,540	If you need any help with testing out the skimmer, I would be more than happy to test the skimmers out. __________________ -Moses the 10,466,385 minutes (and counting) old reef/azoox nut. Food comes with it's own flavor. Anything that has to steal flavor from other food just so it can have flavor is not a food. That is a napkin. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon Custom made SPS dominated tank.

01/01/2009, 04:00 PM	#5
kevin95695 Member of the Registry Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Perimeter patrol. Posts: 3,453	Hey Brian! I assume that can be run internally as well? If so, will performance be affected by water depth it is running in? __________________ You wouldn't believe it if I told you. Go put on the helmet. Did I say that out loud? Current Tank Info: Color chunks in a big water box.

01/01/2009, 11:01 PM	#10
shiveley Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,275	Wow, lookin' good so far. Nice foam production, impressive skimmate potential...can't wait to see more! __________________ ~ Jon ~ Current Tank Info: 75G mixed reef

01/01/2009, 01:11 PM	#3
Brian Prestwood Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 3,775	Hey Pete Thanks Now that all the research is done I estimate it will cost around $300 to make each skimmer... 15" of 8" OD 3/16 wall cast acrylic tubing: $50 24" X 24" 3/16" thick cast acrylic sheet: $20 Laguna Powerjet 1500 Pump: $150 Misc Parts: $50 Consumables: $30

01/01/2009, 05:47 PM	#6
Brian Prestwood Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 3,775	Hey Kevin This is a recirculating skimmer, vs single pass, design. It can be run internally or externally. Recirculating skimmers are not affected by the water height in the sump the way single pass skimmers are.

01/01/2009, 05:56 PM	#7
Reefugee Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Davis, CA Posts: 6,015	That's one amazing skimmer! Great job Brian.

01/01/2009, 09:41 PM	#9
Brian Prestwood Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 3,775	Beer and power tools, always an exciting combination

01/01/2009, 11:51 PM	#11
Jar*Head Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 8,946	very impressive DIY protein skimmer. Great job __________________ Steve Tankless. Current Tank Info: 480g peninsula

01/02/2009, 12:01 AM	#12
xinumaster reef addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: sj ca Posts: 3,023	Well done, Brian. Can you take a picture of the pump volute? __________________ -perry/xinumaster Current Tank Info: 375g tank, 110g sump, tunze:2x 6200, 2x6100, 2x 6125, 2x 6025, lighting: 4x400w on luminarc: korallin 4002, diy kalk reactor, diy sulfur reactor, neptune ACpro, ATB large skimmer, 3.28kw solar system:

01/02/2009, 09:38 AM	#13
Brian Prestwood Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 3,775	Thanks Jonathan, Steve & Perry Perry The volute is on the other side. I'll have uninstall the skimmer to take pictures. The volute is the part I expect to change when I put a meter on this thing so I didn't take any pictures.

01/03/2009, 01:21 AM	#14
CaptiveReefSystems Moved On Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 862	how do you service the pump?

01/03/2009, 01:43 AM	#15
dots Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 6,251	Promising results Brian, great job. In your research, did you find a way to measure ultimate effectivness on a system so you can apply that as a method of testing? __________________ ~Doug

01/03/2009, 09:30 AM	#16
Brian Prestwood Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 3,775	Bruce Remove the flange and lift the pump out. I've taken it out and put it back dozens of times while tweaking the design. Doug Short answer, no, I have not quantified the overall skimming efficacy. I am measuring the pumps performance with an airflow meter and a watt meter and I have matched the neck diameter to the airflow.

01/03/2009, 11:45 AM	#17
xinumaster reef addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: sj ca Posts: 3,023	moooooore pictures please. __________________ -perry/xinumaster Current Tank Info: 375g tank, 110g sump, tunze:2x 6200, 2x6100, 2x 6125, 2x 6025, lighting: 4x400w on luminarc: korallin 4002, diy kalk reactor, diy sulfur reactor, neptune ACpro, ATB large skimmer, 3.28kw solar system:

01/03/2009, 12:27 PM	#18
Brian Prestwood Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 3,775	Corrections and Notes Correction to my orignal post. Needle wheel skimmer foam pumps nominally inject about 800 LPH of air for every 3000 LPH of rated water flow and use about 40 watts doing it. Mesh modded pumps are more effecient. They inject about 800 lph of air for every 2000 LPH of rated water flow and use about 30 watts doing it. Some notes... Notice the 1" thick diffuser plate. It has apporx 70 3/16" holes that are counter sunk on the button. I used the thicker material in an attempt to columnate the flow out of the diffuser. Notice the power cord coming out of the tank return riser. This allows the pump to come completely out of the skimmer w/o unscrewing main body fittings. That was Larry's idea. Notice the 3/8" ID vynal tubing running through the body into the collection cup. The intake for the venturi is inside the collection cup. This baffles the noise and prevents foam blow outs. It also prevents stinky air from coming out of the collection cup. There is a 3/16" hole in the collection cup lid to replace the air that leaks out of the skimmer. Otherwise, there is an approx 2400 LPH flow of air circulating from the collection cup to the bottom of the skimmer and back. As expected, with the pump inside the skimmer it is very quiet. Last edited by Brian Prestwood; 01/03/2009 at 12:53 PM.

01/03/2009, 12:39 PM	#19
Brian Prestwood Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 3,775	Perry About the only thing not shown is the other side of the pump. I'll take a picture of that the next time I take the skimmer out. I plan on bringing it to the January MARS meeting and setting it up in a 15g tank to show it operating. I'll take a picture of the venturi side of the pump then, if not sooner. The venturi is not anything special. All I did was shorten the intake a bit, cement a bit of PVC tubbing inside to decrease the size of the opening a bit then drill and fit a bit of 3/8" OD acrylic tubing (air intake) where the volute opens up wider. Last edited by Brian Prestwood; 01/03/2009 at 01:01 PM.

01/03/2009, 12:58 PM	#20
Brian Prestwood Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 3,775	Credit for Karl As I've always said, I based this design on the Bubble King Mini 200. Differences... This is a recirculating skimmer, the BK Mini is a single pass skimmer This skimmer adjusts the water height by increasing the return height not restricting it. The pump is a slightly modified Laguna Powerjet/Max flo 1500. I did not increase the depth or diameter of the volute as Karl does. I've testing a Laguna 1300 and 2000. A 1500 seems to be the ideal size.

01/08/2009, 11:59 AM	#22
boviac Loves Tank Builds Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Altadena, California Posts: 1,586	Very Cool Brian! Glad to see it's working but... is any design ever REALLY complete? I find they tend to just become obsolete. recall MARS skimmer Version 1? To have that kind of skimming power for a bit more than the previous version and same or less less ongoing watt consumption... I think I'm onboard!!! Now I just need some decent income... __________________ No more tank.... ;-) Current Tank Info: No tank anymore - Hobby shift to Light Sport Aircraft Last edited by boviac; 01/08/2009 at 12:06 PM.

01/08/2009, 12:05 PM	#23
kevin95695 Member of the Registry Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Perimeter patrol. Posts: 3,453	I think I want one __________________ You wouldn't believe it if I told you. Go put on the helmet. Did I say that out loud? Current Tank Info: Color chunks in a big water box.

01/08/2009, 10:01 PM	#24
Brian Prestwood Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 3,775	Hey Chris I'm sure they'll be tweaks. I'm already playing with the gap between the neck opening and the skirt on the collection cup cap. It was about 1.25". This was too big for the air flow out of the neck to push the foam down so decreased it to 0.5". I think that will work better. Yes, I do recall the V1. Except for the pump the basic design was sound. I stuck a SICCE PSK-2500 on a V1 and it worked great. That's a good design for a 50-100g tank.

01/08/2009, 10:06 PM	#25
Brian Prestwood Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 3,775	Hey Kevin I've been feed 4 tbsp a day (10x more than I was) almost two weeks and still no sign of increased nutrients or pest algae. Obviously it is too early to tell but I suspect that's what a 2.4K lph airflow skimmer on a 200g tank allows.