Skimmer gurus need opinions

[matt]

I wouldn't think it would matter on extruded or cast since there is not pressure inside like in a pressure pump fed beckett.

Unfortunately, this is not true. If you have water inside the tube which is at a higher level than the water around it in the sump, there's pressure inside the tube. The amount of pressure is entirely dependent on the volume of water and height. So in a big beckett skimmer with 5 gallons+ in the tube, the pressure at the bottom of the tube is much higher than in a smaller skimmer, but it has nothing to do with the pump you use to run the skimmer.

I'll build mine out of 6" cast tube, 1/4" wall. I'll use 3/8" cast for the flanges and box. Probably extruded tube would work fine, maybe Euro reef uses it for some of their skimmers, but I don't think I've ever seen 6" extruded tube. I'm sure it's available. I was checking out the price of 10" cast tube for a big skimmer; over $100 ft. Looks like I'll have to find another source for that.

[dwdenny]

yeah I would at least look. lol I foud the 6"OD at usplastics.com for $9 somthing a foot and the cast was like $22.95 that is a huge difference but a much better product. The old ES euroreef skimmers where extruded acrylic the new CS ones are cast.

[brewercm]

The ASM versions are also extruded, part of the cost difference.

[dwdenny]

that is what I was thinking but was not sure. I know that the ES series from euroreef where extruded. I think I will be making it a recirculating skimmer as well with a gate valve to control the level. I will feeding it through a 3/4" bulkhead with internal surface skimmer to collect all the nasties that are always on the surface.

[brewercm]

Can you show pics of the process and finished products?

[dwdenny]

I will but probably wont start until Jan. with christmas and all low on funds. I fingure it is going to cost ma about $100 or so without the pump.

[dwdenny]

So how much do you run through a recirculating skimmer. I was researching and seems like most are running 2X tank turnover per hour. I was going to put a 3/4" bulkhead with a gate valve so that should be able to control the flow.