400 gallon project

[untamed]

I've had that hammer coral now for 15 years. I can't imagine how large it would be if I had not sold off most of it when I sold my first tank. I purchased it as a single head.

Sadly, I lost both Gobies over the summer...just shy of two years in the tank. I'm trying to replace them now.

I think the new skimmer is the reason for the tank turnaround. I still have cyano, but I've always had cyano even when the tank was extremely healthy. I just feed too much.

[untamed]

The extension for my skimmer arrived today and I couldn't resist putting it in place. Unfortunately, the carbon cup for the very top wasn't built quite correctly so that will have to wait for another time.

If I ever get out of the hobby, I've got a start on an interesting Halloween costume!


Close a valve and water stops going to the skimmer allowing me to dismantle it even while the pumps are still running.


Add the new section....


Put the top back on, open the valve and away she goes! I can't go any higher than this because the water line in the skimmer would become higher than the overflow box that is feeding the skimmer. At this height, the reaction chamber is 12"D x 40"H. At 600gph that makes the dwell time inside the skimmer about 2 minutes. The water is calmer at the top of the skimmer now than previously.

[fkshiu]

That's a good look for you Brad.

One of these days I'm going to get a phallic skimmer as well.

[golf nut]

Originally Posted by untamed

The extension for my skimmer arrived today and I couldn't resist putting it in place. Unfortunately, the carbon cup for the very top wasn't built quite correctly so that will have to wait for another time.

I'm guessing it didn't fit.

[untamed]

Originally Posted by Mr OM

I'm guessing it didn't fit.

It fits...but it is supposed to replace the top lid currently on the skimmer and the builder forgot that the existing top lid has a tube on the underside that is part of the skimmer function.

It also has holes in it, where there shouldn't be holes.

Here's my existing lid on the left...and the replacement lid (with carbon top) on the right. This builder builds things so custom, I don't think he ever does the exact same thing twice. He just forgot that the lid has a function other than carbon filtration. I'll document this better when it is ready to go on.

[lastlight]

Wow I'd need a tiny head to fit in my skimmer! That is hella impressive haha!

[04scoobysti]

I was diggin around in some of my photos and came across this,



He was way over 2 feet and the blades on his tail were over an inch.Theres a little powder blue behind him to give some scale, yours is well on its way to gettining this massive.
Tank is still looking good, glad its on the road to recovery.

[Van-rookie]

wow.....wish i have a bit of those caps in my tank

[untamed]

Gad...that unicorn Tang is a monster! That hump on his back makes him look very different than mine. I wonder if that develops with maturity or if that is actually a different type. I suppose we'll see.

I wrapped the skimmer with thin black foam that I picked up from Michael's today. It comes in a roll so all I had to do was cut the length/height and the natural curve of the foam holds it in place. This should prevent coraline etc from growing inside the skimmer. When you come for a visit, I'll take it off so all you see is a clean white skimmer!