I have wanted to build one of these babies for a while... and I finally got around to starting on it. My water temp is about 50F, so we'll see how quickly I get the wet portions of this done...
First I should back up and explain that I have English style bio filters. Each chamber is around 4' by 4' by 6' deep. They are configured for upflow inside the chamber and the separation walls are actually downflow pipes. I'll attach a couple snaps so you have a general idea.
The last bio chamber is what I'm going to change. I'll remove the Japanese mat media and move it into the just previous chamber (if I can get it to fit). I have 2 pumps, each a PP Artesian 1/3HP, that draw on this last chamber. I plan to add the protean skimmer to one of the two 2" suction pipes. If all goes well, I may build a second protean skimmer for the other suction pipe.
(more to come)
Brad