Wow Brad, thats pretty awesome to hear that that method actually works. I've heard a lot about people "planning" to do it but never heard any of the results. I'm glad it worked out for you (even though when I was there last I never really saw the scratches, hard to see them past the gorgeousness of the tank contents :wink:).

That room looks great! As always the tank is inspiring for those of us working up to a bigger tank.

Sounds like a pretty tedious process...how long did it take you?

3 hours for the large front panel...about 1.5 hours for the back panel and 2 hours for the side panel. One panel per day is all I could handle, but once you start on a panel you don't want to stop halfway.

It is mostly the same as doing a magnet cleaning of your tank...continuously for multiple hours!

Finally got my neck wet...
 

I finally got around to changing the skimmer wet-neck supply line from 1/4" to 3/8" and that seems to have done the trick.

Here's a quick explanation of the wet neck and a video showing it in operation.

I tapped into a nearby return line.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...n/100_0718.jpg

The water is pushed into a chamber that surrounds the neck of the skimmer inside the collection cup. The water overflows the top edge of this chamber and flows down the inside of the skimmer neck.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...n/100_0717.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...n/100_0719.jpg

I'm hoping that this keeps the skimmer neck a bit cleaner. Immediately, I can see that it creates a higher foam level even though the input water/air is the same as before.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...h_100_0721.jpg

Very cool. I did not realize that the foam would actually rise in the neck. But after thinking about it, it makes sense as there is less resistance as the foam climbs

J

Misc. ramblings...
 

A quick report on the performance of the wetneck: I'm very pleased. The wetneck is keeping the throat of the skimmer clean, so I will only have to remove the top of the skimmer every month or two now. I would say that the volume of skim has tripled, but that the skim is less dark than before. Basically, I'm skimming much wetter than before.

Nitrates measured "0" the other day, so either the skimmer is working or 6ml/day of vodka/vinegar/sugar combo. Either way, something is good.

Breaking the cardinal rule of "clean tank before photographing...." Here is how things look at the moment.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...s/IMG_1405.jpg

A few fish hit 2 year anniversary in the past weeks. Here's some shots of a couple of birthday boys, along with the newest fish.."Rusty", who arrived in November.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...s/IMG_1429.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...s/IMG_1416.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...s/IMG_1414.jpg

That wet-neck mod is GENIUS! Is that a feature of your specific skimmer, or just some awesome idea you came up with?

Does your Achilles always have Ich? Can't recall if I read a post by you or someone else on RC in the Achilles Thread in "Reef Fishes" that mentioned theirs always has it.

Rusty Angel looks awesome BTW..

The wet neck came with the skimmer, which I purchased used. The maker sells it as an upgraded version.

That was me on RC, talking about my Achilles tang. For the most part, I've simply ignored the ich. In keeping an Achilles for over 2 years with ich, I think I've done better than most with this particular fish. It doesn't seem to be the death sentence people think it is.

No doubt.. He certainly doesn't look "not happy". :mrgreen: