Unidentified skimmer

[loganj]

Here is the skimmer than I got with the 110g tank. It says Hydro Skimmer at the bottom. I can't find anything else on it. It is made from 6" PVC and stands, including the collection cup, 29" tall. I got a Mag 12 with it so I assume that is what they were running it with. I was wondering if anyone was familiar with this skimmer or had ever seen one like it. The collection cup (see pic) is unlike any I have ever seen. There is no shelf or collection area...just a 1" pipe coming out the top that goes to a container. Not sure how well this is gonna work. I'm wondering if I need to make a shelf in there that slopes down to the drain? Any ideas?
Logan J

 

[Anemoneman]

just a 1" pipe coming out the top that goes to a container

The container isn't in the pic(?).
Where is the venturi?
Which end does the water go in, the bottom?
The foam collector should work fine. A mag 12 should really kick it in the pants.

 

[loganj]

Container is a 2 gal bucket. No venturi...have to either order or build one. Water goes in the top. Inside the 6" pvc is a piece of 3". The elbow at the top is attached to a piece of acrylic tubing that goes to the bottom inside the 3" pipe. It's what you'd call a double pass I guess. The more I look at the darn thing, the more I think it was homemade.
Logan J

 

[fishfreek]

I think its a DIY job also logan. I did a google search for "Hydro Skimmer" and the only thing I turned up in any great quantity is a bunch of pool and spa skimmers.

 

[Anemoneman]

Kent makes an excellent venturi that should cause this thing to foam out of control.
http://www.bigalsonline.com/cgi-bin/view.cgi is a 1/2" one ($15). They make a 3/4" that would work better for you but BigAl's doesn't carry it. They carry one called a Kent Massei venturi that is considerably more expensive ($120). It is made of ozone resistant kynar which explains it's high cost. You can get by with the cheaper 3/4" one if you can find it. I know they make it because it's on Kent's web page http://www.kentmarine.com/vv.html

 

[loganj]

I was wondering about the Kent venturis. I can get one through one of the wholesalers we use at the store. I think I saw both the 1/2 and the 3/4 in the Dr. Foster catalog too. I bought some fittings today to attempt to build one. Not sure how that will go :? . Probably, after I waste a day or two fooling with the darn thing, and end up throwing it in the growing pile of "things that don't work" in my shop, I'll order one . If this skimmer does work well, I'll post a "how to" on building one...it would be pretty easy I think.
Logan J