Power head & Air Pump Recommendations

newsalt · 01-21-2004, 08:37 AM

I finishing up my DIY HOB skimmer. It's a counter current air driven skimmer. The length of the reaction column is 18" long and 3" diameter.

What type (size & manufacturer) of powerhead would be recommeded to introduce the water into the top of the reaction column and provide enough power to push the water back into the display tank. The water inlet (not shown on sketch) is located about 2" from the top of the reaction column. The skimmer will be used on my current 15g high tank then moved to a new 40 gallon tank. Also what brand of air pump would be recommended to supply adequate air to the limewood airstone?

Thanks.

Pro_builder · 01-22-2004, 09:09 PM

Well I would try a Mag 2 for a pump, but for the air pump not sure.

BoomerD · 01-22-2004, 09:16 PM

Mag 2 or MaxiJet 1200 should provide all the water you need,and just about any GOOD airpump will suffice. My local LFS sells a "Tom's Stellar" airpump for way cheap, and surpisingly, they're very good, quiet pumps. Have you cnosidered making this a venturi skimmer? By inserting a length of airline into the impeller area of the pump, it will draw air into the volute & chop the bubbles up and mix them before the water enters the skimmer. I do this with a Bak-Pak, and is very similar to how many venturi skimmers operate.

01-21-2004, 08:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
newsalt Torch coral Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 574 View Gallery Karma Komment	Power head & Air Pump Recommendations I finishing up my DIY HOB skimmer. It's a counter current air driven skimmer. The length of the reaction column is 18" long and 3" diameter. What type (size & manufacturer) of powerhead would be recommeded to introduce the water into the top of the reaction column and provide enough power to push the water back into the display tank. The water inlet (not shown on sketch) is located about 2" from the top of the reaction column. The skimmer will be used on my current 15g high tank then moved to a new 40 gallon tank. Also what brand of air pump would be recommended to supply adequate air to the limewood airstone? Thanks. __________________ Equipment 120g Reef, (2) 250W XM 20K MH, (2) 110W T12 VHO Super Actinic, MRC MR2 Beckett Skimmer, 55g Sump, Iwaki Return Pump Setup August 2006

01-22-2004, 09:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Well I would try a Mag 2 for a pump, but for the air pump not sure. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

01-22-2004, 09:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,234 View Gallery Karma Komment	Mag 2 or MaxiJet 1200 should provide all the water you need,and just about any GOOD airpump will suffice. My local LFS sells a "Tom's Stellar" airpump for way cheap, and surpisingly, they're very good, quiet pumps. Have you cnosidered making this a venturi skimmer? By inserting a length of airline into the impeller area of the pump, it will draw air into the volute & chop the bubbles up and mix them before the water enters the skimmer. I do this with a Bak-Pak, and is very similar to how many venturi skimmers operate.

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