Skimmer design - neck diameter / length

[AndyL]

Has anyone come across some calculations as to calculating skimmer neck diameters and lengths?

Trying to calculate out what I need for a 4.5g (4" dia) skimmer body, getting 400lph (.25cfm) of air

Tnx in advance,

Andy

[Delphinus]

See if you can get ahold of "Aquatic Systems Engineering: Devices and How They Function" by Pedo Ramon Escobal.

http://www.amazon.com/Aquatic-Systems-Engineering-Devices-Function/dp/1888381108

Sadly, no longer in print but I remember from a few years ago it was reputed to be a bible with all sorts of theory behind good skimmer design.

I'd love to get my hands on a copy myself .. even a photocopy or something would do.

Not sure if it would answer your question though, but it might.

Good luck!

[Delphinus]

Not sure if these help but thought I'd link to these articles as well..
http://www.hawkfish.org/snailman/skimmer101.htm
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/fm/feature/index.php

[AndyL]

Yeah Peter R's book is only occasionally appearing on ebay (and on cd from some australian company for 220$), selling for big $ - doubt I'll ever get my hands on a copy :)

I know some of the skimmer nuts on RC toss around numbers - but they just magically appear from thin air... I'm pretty sure I need a 1 1/2" neck, and likely I'm going to want it about 8-10" long (of course that can be adjusted by adjusting water level). However Its nice to have the design work on paper before being built :laugh:

[Delphinus]

$220 for an electronic version! :eek:

[muck]

If you know anyone in CAS, apparently they have a copy in their library.
(Its under Construction) Maybe you could borrow it.. :wink:

http://www.calgaryaquariumsociety.com/library_books.php#General%20(Marine)

[AndyL]

Hrm... Could be a reason to renew my membership; let it expire after I got out of freshwater - as they never really did anything salty...

[BCOrchidGuy]

My LFS had a bunch of copies of it last year I'll see if I can grab a copy or two tomorrow.

Doug