![]() |
#31
|
||||
|
||||
![]() +1 Mr Wilson!
|
#32
|
||||
|
||||
![]() The slower the tank skims the more concentrated (read dirty) the water going to the sump is, the dirtier the water the more efficiently the skimmer functions.
|
#33
|
|||||
|
|||||
![]() But would that really mean the skimmer is more efficient, or working more efficient? or just theres more there to remove.
Like vacuuming a dirty 3 year old carpet compared to a 1 month old carpet? does it mean the vacuum is not working as efficiently on the newer carpet because its not pulling up as much junk?
__________________
Dan Pesonen Umm, a tank or 5 |
#34
|
||||
|
||||
![]() Dan, if you wanted to remove a film of oil from the surface of a tank of water would you slowly add water to the tank so it comes off the surface slowly and gets caught in a sponge or would you pump it quickly.
|
#35
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
![]() Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
The worst scenario I come across is what I call a "water mover system". This is a sump with one or two poorly tuned or non-functional filters and lots of water coming and going from the display tank. A lot of resources are used to move the water, but little or no positive gain is achieved. Typically these systems have old carbon that is allowed to leach out any and all TOC (total organic carbon) it has absorbed, UV sterilizers that act only as heaters because the bulbs are expended or burnt out, protein skimmers that don't collect skimmate or sludge in the neck, and refugia that are allowed to overgrow and shadow the lower portions causing a slow unnoticed die-off. |
#36
|
||||
|
||||
![]() Quote:
Having a thin film overflow the surface skimmer will reduce the need for a coast to coast overflow. The best way to test the efficiency of an overflow is to place some flake food at one end of the tank and see if all of it either sinks or gets skimmed within 30 seconds. Any food that gets caught up in the middle, edges or corners means you have dead spots where films will accumulate. These oils are not only bad for water quality, they also diminish lighting intensity, and gas exchange. |
#37
|
|||||
|
|||||
![]() My coast to coast, in conjunction with the OM 4 way, no dead spots on my waters surface
![]()
__________________
Dan Pesonen Umm, a tank or 5 |
#38
|
||||
|
||||
![]() Eliminating dead spots on the surface is another one of those details that makes a huge difference at no cost or compromise.
|
#39
|
|||||
|
|||||
![]() Good points and good information there Mr. Wilson. I agree that the best skimmer design is based on recirculating counter current but of course it is a simple option and not a requirement (just like everything else). Recirculating skimmers, on average, cost double and not everyone should consider modifying there skimmers, this is not a simple modification for most. Drilling the expensive acrylic body can often result in fracture and voided warranty.
I wouldn't personally ever setup a skimmer to be fed by a siphon over a pump, in theory the perfect siphon will deliver consistent flow but in practice it's not the case and if flow is suddenly increased a big mess will exist. But that doesn't mean it can't be done, I simply don't see the benefit and wouldn't recomend it, however everyone's thoughts are different. Moving a lot of flow through the sump has many benefits, of course so does moving little flow. It's important to remember it's not a simple science and there are many ways to skin a cat. I won't go into too much of my reasoning again but I will say real experience and evidence trumps theory. I believe that the best resource for this can be found in the RC site where every month some of the worlds best tanks are showcased and described. There you will find almost all tanks showcased run return flows around 5-10x display volume, if not more. For me it's hard to argue with success, they got to be doing something right. You're obviously a smart guy and you have experience in aquarium design but we definitely have some differences in opinion and what we consider simple, which of course is a good thing ![]() I also noticed you're new to this site (WELCOME BTW ![]() |
#40
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
![]() Quote:
![]() Quote:
![]() Quote:
Quote:
Dr. Stephen Spotte said it best "The successful maintenance of a seawater aquarium is mostly witchcraft mixed with a little science. In this book I have attempted to describe the science, but with the realization that understanding the witchcraft might be more useful." Unless you care to share some of your witchcraft, we are stuck with my science ![]() Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
![]() Quote:
![]() I don't expect anyone to do a 180 and follow my advice, and what I said last year was as different from today as today's will be from next year's. I participate on these forums to learn and share what I have learned. I get inspiration from others and new insight into old questions. I didn't come here to pick a fight, but it looks like I landed in the middle of one. Don't take anything I have said personally. It's all in good fun. Last edited by mr.wilson; 10-14-2009 at 05:18 PM. |