Results 1 to 19 of 19
Thread: Protein Skimmer
-
10-07-2019, 03:57 PM #1
Protein Skimmer
Hello
I'm on the lookout for a Protein Skimmer for my outside pond, 21,000L. I have a spare Aqua Forte 10,000 Vario so I thought I might as well use it instead of it gathering dust. I'm not wanting to spend daft money on one and have been looking at the Aqua Forte Tornado 2. eBay is the cheapest place I've seen them on but not really knowing anyone who uses one, I thought I'd best ask on here. So guys n gals, what skimmer are you using or can you recommend one ?
TIA
-
11-07-2019, 01:55 PM #2
I have a Tornado 2 and it’s absolutely fine, the challenge is to keep them clean. You’ll need to run it after a filter or drum or you’ll be cleaning it every week.They are a pain to clean and the back of the rivets can rip your hands to shreds (I fixed mine down as per instructions and worst thing I ever did - had to get the media out by hand to clean it).
The T2 is currently on the Grow On tank and I’ve added low level ozone, feeling that it is taking more gunk out but will clog the centre tube which then needs a rinse
You need to ensure you can bypass it as it will also skim treatments out!
I have just bought a Clarity unit ready for my new pond and that looks a proper beast.
Must admit I’m a big fan of skimmers they really do seem to take colour out of the water.
-
11-07-2019, 10:42 PM #3
Make one
Google “phoam phraxionator”
Can’t really post links to other forums, not really the done thing.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
11-07-2019, 11:49 PM #4Freddyboy the legend
"we are water keepers first"
Johnathan
-
freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
-
12-07-2019, 09:09 AM #5
-
12-07-2019, 04:52 PM #6
I have a Tornado 2 and it worked well on the pond but since changing over to an Eazy Pod I haven't got round to reinstating it yet as already mentioned it needs to be fed with clear water to save on regular clean outs.
I bought a long handled bottle brush to clean the centre tube and a cranked bottle brush to clean the bottom section of it and also a short handle bottle brush to clean the other short bits of pipe etc. Another good idea is a wide mouth funnel for pouring the media back into the filter so it goes where you want it to. I think it was one used for jam making? If I can find the links for the brushes etc I will put them on here if you want? Also a cut down 2 pint plastic milk bottle makes a really good scoop for the media and a planter makes a good sieve if yo have one going spare. I used to tip out the media into a builders bucket of pond water to get the worst muck out first then scoop it up into the planter and flush it with a bucket or 2 of pond water then put it back together and job's a good'en. If fitted after a decent finer filter then maybe the clean outs would be much easier I never had a problem with the rivets as I only needed to clean the bottom of the main section of the filter and the bit below the inverted cone with holes in which is easier to do from the outlet of the filter. The cone is possible to remove but don't try pulling it up via the centre tube like I did and break off the fitting Nothing a 25mm conduit adaptor couldn't fix LOL after that I used to drop a bit of wire down the tube tie something big enough on the end of it so it didn't pull through the centre tube then pull the hole lot out and that makes cleaning a bit easier specially with the various brushes.
For the air supply I used a small aquarium air pump as I didn't have a proper air pump at the time and that worked well but had to be kept dry though and also I think the flow rate is between 3500 lph to 5000 lph maybe 5500 lph so a Aqua Forte 10000 DM Vario should be spot on for it.
-
12-07-2019, 04:54 PM #7
-
-
12-07-2019, 06:44 PM #8
My mate said I wasn't a true Cockney, so I pushed him down the apples and oranges
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
-
12-07-2019, 06:48 PM #9
-
freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
-
12-07-2019, 07:29 PM #10
-
Frimley Koi keeper, freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
-
12-07-2019, 07:31 PM #11
-
12-07-2019, 11:16 PM #12
-
13-07-2019, 08:54 AM #13
-
bigcarpchaser Thanked / Liked this Post
-
13-07-2019, 06:48 PM #14
-
13-07-2019, 07:25 PM #15
-
13-07-2019, 07:39 PM #16
-
Djstiles999 Thanked / Liked this Post
-
13-07-2019, 07:47 PM #17
-
Djstiles999 Thanked / Liked this Post
-
15-07-2019, 09:17 AM #18
-
16-07-2019, 11:06 PM #19
Settled on purchasing a Kinshi in the end. Hopefully it'll be here this week and I'll have it installed over the weekend.
-
bigcarpchaser, freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
The Daily pond temp thread
Still at around 17C, know what you mean about getting the covers off though :D it will be really...