Skimmer design suggestion

[mortimersnerd]

I'm looking to DIY a new skimmer. I've got the skills to build pretty much anything, but have been out of the hobby a little while and am not sure what the current favorite design is. I've historically liked the Beckett head skimmers, but am considering building a copy of the Aqua C skimmers. The main tank is only 37 gallons, but its basement sumped to a 100 gallon frag vat/refugium with a 29 gallon surge tank (5 actual gallons of surge). Total water volume is probably around 100-120 gallons. I've got several spare pumps and can power pretty much whatever, other an a needle wheel, which I'd have to buy a new pump for. Thanks for the help!

 

[Len]

I'd still go with a beckett over the AquaC spray injection. Currently, needle-wheel type skimmers are popular (especially recirc designs). The skimmer DIY isn't very hard, but you will need to source the needle-wheel pump to make it work.

 

[Unarce]

Cone designs seem to be the hottest skimmer attribute right now. I'd also go needle-wheel, too. I don't like the variation with mesh-wheels.