Bang Guy
Aquarium Advice FINatic
This skimmer was created by accident and will only work where the sump is many feet below the display tank. It's very ugly so the best application is a basement sump. As designed it will handle about 800 GPH and up to a 180 gallon tank. Upgrade modifications are listed after the link.
Operating principle:
Originally designed to remove microbubbles that plague basement sumps. The water from the overflow cascades down to the basement and the extreme pressure churns the water and forces bubbles into the stream. These must be removed before entering the display tank via the return pump.
Advantages:
1) No additional pumps or powerheads are required
2) High output
3) Large waste capacity
4) Easy to clean
5) Cheap = <$20.00
Disadvantages:
1) Requires a gravity drop of 8+ feet
2) Butt Ugly
http://guynterry.com/reef/equipment/skimmer_design.jpg
Design inprovements:
1) Use 6" PVC Tubing instead of 4"
2) For more volume use 1.5" PVC instead of 1"
Operating principle:
Originally designed to remove microbubbles that plague basement sumps. The water from the overflow cascades down to the basement and the extreme pressure churns the water and forces bubbles into the stream. These must be removed before entering the display tank via the return pump.
Advantages:
1) No additional pumps or powerheads are required
2) High output
3) Large waste capacity
4) Easy to clean
5) Cheap = <$20.00
Disadvantages:
1) Requires a gravity drop of 8+ feet
2) Butt Ugly
http://guynterry.com/reef/equipment/skimmer_design.jpg
Design inprovements:
1) Use 6" PVC Tubing instead of 4"
2) For more volume use 1.5" PVC instead of 1"
