build or buy a skimmer

[j]

any body have any input on this ? have you built a good skimmer ? are the
plans on line?
Thanks for the input,
John

[rbudwig]

Richard Reynolds wrote:
>>any body have any input on this ?
>
>
> lots!
>
> you have to ask yourself why?
>
> do you want to save $$$
> do you want something that is not available?
> do you already have things you would like to use?
> do you just like to build things
> are you any good at building things
> what kind of skimmer do you want
> what features does it need
> ......
>
>
>
>>have you built a good skimmer ? are the
>>plans on line?
>
>
>
> ive built a few, I took some of the design from plans online, there are plenty surf
> google/yahoo and reefcentral to find many more then you will want
>
Which plans did you find worked the best. I have made a few of the PVC
with varying degrees of success.

Rex Budwig


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[BJO]

I've built the skimmer off this website. It is a spray injection skimmer and
works very well. Here's the link:
http://www.tonmo.com/cephcare/DIYskimmer.php


"j" > wrote in message
...
> any body have any input on this ? have you built a good skimmer ? are the
> plans on line?
> Thanks for the input,
> John
>
>

[Bill Kirkpatrick]

Rich makes some good points. I'll pitch in with him...

rbudwig wrote:
> Richard Reynolds wrote:
>
>>> any body have any input on this ?
>> lots!

Indeed.

>> you have to ask yourself why?
>>
>> do you want to save $$$

You may, or may not. If $$$ is the issue you must be sure
to carefully select and build the unit. If you end up
building 1, 2, 3, or more, you may do better buying a well
designed one up front.

>> do you want something that is not available?

Almost anything DIY becomes available as, or was prototyped
from a, commercial unit. Trouble is, most of the better
commercial units put themselves into the "not available"
pile by pricing themselves out of the market.

> > do you already have things you would like to use?

Do you have/want a big pump? (Downdraft, EAP, venturi
styles) Or, do you have/want a big Air Pump? (Counter
Current style).

Also, how big is your tank? A downdraft or EAP on a 20G is
probably inappropriate.

>> do you just like to build things
>> are you any good at building things

IMHO, designs based solely on properly fitting PVC water
pipe and fittings are the most likely to succeed, both short
and long term. EAP is that, and all of the other styles are
surely doable that way too (but I haven't seen plans).

>> what kind of skimmer do you want
>> what features does it need
>> ......
>>
>>
>>
>>> have you built a good skimmer ? are the
>>> plans on line?
>>

http://www.pgjr.alpine.k12.ut.us/aqua/reeflink.html
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/proteinskimmers/index_2.htm
http://fins.actwin.com/reefkeepers/reefkeeper1.html#2.2
http://nucalf.physics.fsu.edu/pfohl/Fish/Diy/

Among others.

>> ive built a few, I took some of the design from plans online, there
>> are plenty surf

EAP here.