DIY Protein Skimming

[Matthewdmueller]

I was wondering if anyone out there has built their own protein skimmer. I found a web site with a couple of DIY skimmers at:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/diy/skimmer1.shtml

This application doesn't seem to work for me seeing how I am trying to get it into an under tank sump with only 25 inches of room from top to bottom. The other skimmer that the guy made seems just plain weird. I was also wondering if anyone has ever run their overflow directly into their skimmer without a pump. I was thinking that I could connect my overflow directly to a skimmer that was built to intake that much water and then use an airstone system to create the bubbles and then have it dump into my sump after that. I don't know what the science of it is but if someone could give me a clue that would be awsome. Thanks - MATT

[KillBill75]

It really is such a simple thing, but it baffles many. The drain from your overflow does not have the velocity to draw in air, and the air stone idea is good but not efficient. Your best designs are venturi based, or forced water based such as the Aqua-C products. The forced water idea is quite simple. Decrease terminal outlet size thus significantly increasing outlet nozzle velocity, and inturn forcing air into the water column creating a homogenous foam. This can be done in many different ways.

[Matthewdmueller]

So what you are saying is that I could run the overflow directly into a DIY skimmer and just use air stones if I made it big enough. I was thinking about an 8" dia by 20" tall riser with 4 airstones. Thank that that would work?

[KillBill75]

It should work, just use wood instead of stone for the air, and clean them often. also the air pump you'll need we'll have to be sized accordingly. This air pump will be kind of loud and may cost you some duckets. It seems like a lot of hassle to make claim that it is a "DIY" project. Hopefully the result is what you are expecting.http://www.reeftalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=742