protien skimmer

[von_rahvin]

another thing, i got this protien skimmer that does not inject alot of air. it is a BIG skimmer driven by a mag 7. I drilled out the venturi intake (this is after taking it apart and trying to figure out if it was blocked.) should i use a smaller pump? or what could i do, i was thinking about putting an air stone inside of the skimmer . thoughts or insults?

 

[mr . salty]

I have the same problem with the RIO 1700 that is running my MONSTER skimmer.So I added a wooden air block.They put out much more,and much finer micro bubbles than an air stone.It works for my skimmer.Some day I will replace the RIO,but till then the wood block is doing the trick...

 

[fender]

Actually letting in too much air in a Venturi style skimmer can negatively effect performance.
The whole design of a venturi is for water to move rapidly past the opening creating a vaccum. The smaller the air inlet the faster the air will move. Resulting in more, finer, bubbles. Speed is the key, not volume.
Try putting an airtube with a needle valve on your air inlet and adjust slowly open and closed until you have the best air bubble concentration.
[ October 05, 2001: Message edited by: fender ]

 

[von_rahvin]

hello again, i just spent like 5 hrs working on the stupid protien skimmer i tried a small hole, i tried a medium hole, i trioed a large hole, then i drilled a LARGER hole. the largest hole seems to work best, but maybe it is just a badly designed protien skimmer, cause the little one i have on my 55 works like 5 times as good.
a wooden airblock? i am guessing you take a hunk of wood and seal an airtube into it ?

 

[fender]

No, you can buy limewood airstones at most LFS. They already are drilled and tapped with a plastic airline fitting. They clog after about a month or so....but are the best for fine air bubbles.