Anyone ever try a dome shaped lid on their skimmer instead of the stock flat ones?

DavidinGA · 05/08/2015, 07:31 AM

I saw another thread where someone had made a dome shaped lid for their skimmer and I was wondering if anyone has tried it? In my mind it seems like it would improve the performance compared to the common flat lid design.

Image attached of what a possible dome lid could look like.

It seems like that dome lid would improve skimmate collection as it would improve the overall surface area where the foam head and collect and also allow for the foam to more naturally follow the domes shape. It would also marginally improve the height at which you can run your skimmer up the next.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Reasons why no manufacturer does this already?

Thanks
David

jrp1588 · 05/08/2015, 08:23 AM

I'm sure it's been tried. They're always looking for new gimmicks to throw at us. Maybe the cost of making an acrylic dome didn't pay off in the performance department.

DavidinGA · 05/08/2015, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrp1588

I'm sure it's been tried. They're always looking for new gimmicks to throw at us. Maybe the cost of making an acrylic dome didn't pay off in the performance department.

So, your take is its a gimmick and not beneficial then?

jrp1588 · 05/08/2015, 08:58 AM

I have no idea. I've never tried. I'm just betting that it has been tried, and was deemed not worth it.

DavidinGA · 05/08/2015, 09:11 AM

Its interesting that I can't find anything via google or searching RC on a dome lid. Surely someone has tried it....

nikon187 · 05/08/2015, 02:06 PM

i dont see the benifit of a domed lid.You want the lid flat so the foam head pushes it away from the neck when it rises.

wildman926 · 05/08/2015, 02:08 PM

I have liked this idea for a long time. There is a skimmer that I had seen, that has that domed lid. I will have to find out the make and model. It pushes the foam away AND down.

slief · 05/08/2015, 03:50 PM

I don't think the dome lid is really beneficial in fact, I think it could be counter productive. When the foam exits the neck, especially wetter foam, it's not going to go up very far. Most skimmers have the lid in close proximity to the neck so that when the foam exits the neck, it can hit the lid and be pushed outward and into the collection cup. If the lid is domed, the foam will kind of collapse on itself over the neck instead of being forced (by pressure) outward. It would take really thick and dry foam to actually reach the top of the dome.

RK2 while very reputable in the commercial market, tried to use this concept to break into the consumer skimmer market with their X-FLO skimmer. Based on the fact that hardly anybody uses that skimmer, I certainly wouldn't consider the RK2 skimmer a success let alone any better than some of the more well know skimmers. Like I said, if the dome lid was of any real value, we would see that commercially available skimmers.

Anyhow, here is a thread that somebody posted demonstrating their dome lid mod. It's a neat idea but the fact remains that if it were a real game changer, companies like Bubble King, Deltec or others would have implemented it.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...highlight=dome

maynardjames · 05/08/2015, 06:00 PM

I agree
Someone would have started producing if they could gain market share
Or charge extra for new & improved product mod's

05/08/2015, 02:06 PM	#6
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	i dont see the benifit of a domed lid.You want the lid flat so the foam head pushes it away from the neck when it rises. __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

05/08/2015, 02:08 PM	#7
wildman926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: CTX Posts: 2,904	I have liked this idea for a long time. There is a skimmer that I had seen, that has that domed lid. I will have to find out the make and model. It pushes the foam away AND down. __________________ Beware of recommendations by those who don't actually use their recommendation!! The search function actually works quite well!! Tanks:Planet Aquarium 150g LPS, Planet Aquarium 90g Softie

05/08/2015, 03:50 PM	#8
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	I don't think the dome lid is really beneficial in fact, I think it could be counter productive. When the foam exits the neck, especially wetter foam, it's not going to go up very far. Most skimmers have the lid in close proximity to the neck so that when the foam exits the neck, it can hit the lid and be pushed outward and into the collection cup. If the lid is domed, the foam will kind of collapse on itself over the neck instead of being forced (by pressure) outward. It would take really thick and dry foam to actually reach the top of the dome. RK2 while very reputable in the commercial market, tried to use this concept to break into the consumer skimmer market with their X-FLO skimmer. Based on the fact that hardly anybody uses that skimmer, I certainly wouldn't consider the RK2 skimmer a success let alone any better than some of the more well know skimmers. Like I said, if the dome lid was of any real value, we would see that commercially available skimmers. Anyhow, here is a thread that somebody posted demonstrating their dome lid mod. It's a neat idea but the fact remains that if it were a real game changer, companies like Bubble King, Deltec or others would have implemented it. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...highlight=dome __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

05/08/2015, 06:00 PM	#9
maynardjames Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: west tennessee Posts: 1,600	I agree Someone would have started producing if they could gain market share Or charge extra for new & improved product mod's __________________ if your 555 Current Tank Info: 120 rr dual overflows, solarflare t5 fixture,octo extreme 200,vortech mp40w esx2. brs reactor for carbon, brs reactor for gfo, 40 gal breeder sump

05/08/2015, 08:23 AM	#2
jrp1588 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 1,864	I'm sure it's been tried. They're always looking for new gimmicks to throw at us. Maybe the cost of making an acrylic dome didn't pay off in the performance department.

05/08/2015, 08:58 AM	#4
jrp1588 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 1,864	I have no idea. I've never tried. I'm just betting that it has been tried, and was deemed not worth it.

05/08/2015, 09:11 AM	#5
DavidinGA Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 2,393	Its interesting that I can't find anything via google or searching RC on a dome lid. Surely someone has tried it....