Skimmer question(limewood)

[Clearblue303]

- How often do you change the limewood stone?
- Does it make any difference if the skimmer is constantly used,or just 2-3 days a week?
- Is someone using other wood than limewood?
- Any other alternatives for the pulverisation?
Thanks
FM

 

[Fredfish]

You can also use basswood or oak, although oak is supposed to need a much stronger air pump.

Fred.

 

[esmithiii]

I have a venturi (beckett) skimmer so I never have to chandge it!

E

 

[HARRISON]

Limewood...I tried one of those skimmers before...

before jerking it out and throwing it across the room!

 

[DRT]

I've used bass wood before and made my own blocks, fairly easy if you have the right tools. I tried Oak but it never seemed as good to me as Bass wood.

If you only use the skimmer periodically the wood soaks up the water, expands and cuts the bubble output, you end up running through more blocks.

Depending on your finances and system there are many more advanced skimmers available. Airstone skimmers work but require more maintenance than something like a needle wheel design (euro-reef).

 

[Starmstr]

Limewood should be changes at are before 1 month in my experiences. To address the proponents of traditional skimmer use churning the numbers of efficiency vs. power consumption you'll get the big picture. Maybe liquid will post on this one but here are some things to think about .
Air downdraft beckett needlewheel
1. skim cost 25-100 100-500 250-600 200-1000
2. pump cost 149 79-305 100-305 included

Now for the kicker the air pump I've listed will inject 2 cubic foot per minute of air at 7psi. And has less electrical consumption than the smallest waterpump I've quoted.

 

[Clearblue303]

Thanks guys.
Since my tank is a mini reef,I have a diy skimmer(luck of space).
It worked really well for months.Than I guess,the wood got soaked.
What I think,using 3 lw stones consecutively,(one used for a month,the others drieing),would do the job.The trick is to not let them crack.
Wish you a happy new year!

 

[monkeyboy]

What kind of pump are you using on the skimmer? Maybe you could hook it up w/ a venturi kit?

 

[Clearblue303]

Just a simple Elite 800.
For a 3x14" column of water,does a great job.
Are you talking about the venturi on the Aqaclear quick filters?
I have that,but somehow I don't like it.
Anyway,this was the first time I took the l/w to check it out for months now and was covered with slimey stuff.
After cleaning,it works well.
For now,I'll go with monthly inter changing l/w.
It only takes 2-3 min.I don't mind that.
But I'll keep in mind your idea.