2.2.2 Venturi Protein Skimmers
Description
This article is from the ReefKeepers FAQ, by several authors (see the Credits section).
2.2.2 Venturi Protein Skimmers
These skimmers use the Bernoulli effect of the venturi valve to
inject air bubbles into the water. This obviates the need of an
air pump and air stones. The penalty is that a relatively large,
high pressure (read expensive and powerhungry) dedicated water
pump is mandatory for the venturi unit to inject sufficient
amounts of air.
A particular commercial venturi skimmer may or may not come with a
water pump. If it does supply a pump, it may or may not be
sufficiently large to run the skimmer properly. At least some of
the venturi skimmers easily available are not very well designed.
Venturi valves require occasional cleaning of the air opening.
This is as simple as reaming the opening out with pipe cleaner
every few days. An acid bath may be required if the unit clogs or
gets coated with mineral deposits.
Most venturi style skimmers are more compact that CC skimmers.
Manufactures state that they are more efficient, since they
(supposedly) inject more air. Many suspect that design constaints
(back pressure severely affects venturi performance) have more
to do with the manufactured height (who would want a top injected
4' skimmer with air only in the top foot of water?). Properly
designed venturi skimmers are tall to maximize air contact time,
and require pumps that can handle backpressure.
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