Holy CRAP! My new DIY Skimmer rocks!!!!

[littleprince]

I was waiting for it to cure last night. Put my sump in my bathtub(Since its not connected to anything), and the skimmer in the sump. Filled it with salt water till it overflowed the drain hole.
Plugged it in and voila!!! Beautifull bubbles!!! Quickly turned it off... Ran to get crud from my current prism protein skimmer, dumped it in, gave it a swirl and turned it back on!!

BANG!!! instead skimmate! Hit the collection cup in the first minute. Had to drop the level of the skimmer like 3 inches.
Soon thereafter skimmate started changing color.
Withing 10 mins I had green skimmate.

I'm so excited. this thing works like a charm!!! Its shorter than I orginaly wanted, but now I definately might add an extension. I think I could run like 6 inches taller than it is currently w/o problem!!

Working on article now, will post with pics as soon as I'm done. I'm just sooooooo hyper!

[littleprince]

Performance! I think the photos mostly speak for themselves. This thing definately performs much better than I expected.


Main reaction Chamber

http://www.myfishes.com/modules/xoopsgallery/cache/albums/album14/MainBodyFoam10mins.jpg

Collection Cup after 5 mins

http://www.myfishes.com/modules/xoopsgallery/cache/albums/album14/CollectionFoam5mins.sized.jpg

Collection Cup after 10 mins

http://www.myfishes.com/modules/xoopsgallery/cache/albums/album14/Foam10mins.jpg

Keep in mind, the skimmer is only powered by a single Mag 5 pump. Not a lot of pump to get this kinda skimming performance!!

Complete article can be found here.

Article (http://www.myfishes.com/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=17)

[Cellenzweig]

Very impressive! Now you just need to start mass producing them and distributing the first affordable protein skimmer on the Canadian market.

Colin

[littleprince]

Hehe... Thx
The Mazzei was about 110, add a Mag 5 and were getting close to Euro reef pricing from Will I bet.
So not super affordable, but boy was this fun....

[Cellenzweig]

Do you think the $40 injector from MOPS.ca would do the job?

It's listed under go shopping-->protein skimmers-->plumbing supplies-->venturi valves

Is the mazzei that much better?

Colin

[littleprince]

The $40 might. Big als also has kent venturis.
Everything I read led me to believe the Mazzeis were amazing though, and I believe it.
Come over some time and you can try it out.
I also put the Mazzei on Union disconnects so I can put different injectors in for comparison.

[nigel]

where did you get the mazzeis venturi? works well with a mag 5

where can i find info on the venturi ? Is there a website i can get info?

[Cellenzweig]

About.com has a pretty good explanation.

Colin

[littleprince]

I got it from JJ downs Industrial plastic. Cheapest place I could find and they got lotsa plumbing supplies and great service.
I believe the mazzei site is
www.mazzeiinjector.com
but if you google it, it comes up.
If you email Mazzei and also send them a link to the pump curve from reefs.org for the pump you plan to use, they'll recommend an injector for you. Very fast replies too, usualy next day type of thing.

[nigel]

What size is the one you used?

[littleprince]

I used a 585 on the Mag 5. Works perfectly. Its the one Mazzei recommended to me based on the Mag 5's performance curve. If your planning on a different pump contact mazzei, and pick it up at JJ Downs.

[nigel]

where is jj downs? telephone# ?
Website?

[littleprince]

Sorry, typo, 584 mazzei
http://www.jjdownsplastics.com