Skimmer

[allan]

Hello,

I am trying to make a skimmer, but I just can't wrap my head around something.

Reverse direction flow I think it's called. I will have the airstone at the bottom of the tube, contained within a smaller tube. Two pipes in, one for the intake and the other for the output (bottom). Bubbles travel up towards the top and the product is eventually placed within the cup at the top.

I had thought to place a pump at the bottom to pull water through the pipe rather than forcing it in at the top.

Here's the part that I cant wrap my head around. If I'm placing air into the tub to create the bubbles, where does all that extra air go? Do I place a vent at the top collection cup? Additionally, would I have to concern myself with caliberating the air input with the air allowed out through the vent?

[marshall.read]

hopefully ace will chime in here as he has lots of experiance with diy skimmers. for what its worth, every skimmer i've used has always had a vent hole on top of the collection cup. i've never given it much thought but i suppose the air being brought in would need to vent somewhere, and the top of the collection cup is the only logical place i can think to put it.

[hobogato]

you are exactly right allan and marshall - there has to be a way for the air to escape the top. either there needs to be an air hole in the top of the collection cup or if you run a drain line to a collection vessel, the air can escape that way.

[allan]

Ok, thanks guys,

I went ahead and made the necessary cuts and holes and glued the permenant parts today. Will make the final adjustments tomorrow after work and try it out.

[allan]

Crash and burn...

I couldn't get the pump and the skimmer to fit into the sump, and my hoses were too small to fit...

Plan on trimming down the platform that the skimmer is on tonight and stopping by Home Depot for size appropriate hosing.

On a side note my Zenthias (sp?) seemed to have wilted last night over the course of two to three hours. This morning I received a report from my financial advisor that they are not erect and full... not sure what happened but I am releived that they seem to be doing well. Should I be feeding them?

[allan]

Success!!!

Got the skimmer working last night. Leaks a bit but it's in the sump so that isn't too much of a concern. Foam started bubbling up into the trap about 20 minutes after everything was turned on. Doesn't smell bad or have any color, but it's slick or slimey to touch... not that I've been playing with it...