I finished the Reef Splash Skimmer II today that was a refinement of the one that we built at Reef Splash last September. This one has 3/4 inch PVC instead of 1/2 and uses a smaller Ocean Runner Needle Wheel Pump. This is a recirculating skimmer that was designed primarily by Ben Matson. If anything it looks really cool, I will update in a week or so and let you know how it is doing.
The pump came from Aquatic Connection (I think) and the venturi I made myself. The club owns tap and dies for 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 in PVC fittings. So if you ever need to tap some PVC just let me know. The stop cock ( Ha Ha - I said cock) is 1/4 inch and comes from Home Depot or Lowes. They are water line fittings in the plumping department. The problem with diy venturi's is usually to much air taken in causing the pump to stall, so a stop cock ( Ha - I said it again) is a neccessity. I put it in the sump this evening just to see if it fit, like a glove. I can't believe that I have been able to squeeze a refugium, Ca+ reactor, protein skimmer, auto top off and two pumps for the main return and chiller all under the clam tank. There is alot going on under there. I will post a pic of it in the sump tomorrow.
Looks pretty pro! And I think you are the king of cram. You have a lot of equipment stuffed under there!
because I am not familiar with the skimmer, I ask where is the intake for the skimmer? Is it gravity fed?
beanhead - if you look at the pic that I labled the feed for the skimmer is marked "skimmer fead". It is a Tee off of the main return line. Because my pump is so over powered for this system I have plenty of return flow to use for other things - like the skimmer. Otherwise, I would have set it up as a gravity feed. Her are some pictures of it working. I am really pleased with how well it has proven to be. The only downside is that it would be nice to see inside the skimmer. When I build another in the future I will go to the expense of tracking down some clear PVC. It is odd that PVC is naturally clear in the manufacturing process and color is added to make it the white that we see in plumbing supply places. I have only ever found it on the internet. No plumbing place in central AR that I have found can even get clear PVC.
