Addiction wins, 450 gallon system begins
- Thread starter Hop
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NexDog: I was going to try to get by without one... But the other day I figured out I needed to either buy one of those or a snorkel when I was trying to reach the very bottom, front of the tank. I can reach the back without much problem, but I have to contort myself to get the bottom 2" of viewing pane
jnarowe: No problemo
jnarowe: No problemo
Well I was going to spend much of today cleaning the garage and working on tanks... But mother nature has decided to make a early visit and the temps here dropped a month early. There is a dusting of snow on the mountains about 200' above us... So most of this morning was spent blowing out the sprinkler system, winterizing the boat and such.
So far I did manage a 15% water change in the Q-tank and that's it. While baking up a little lunch I snapped a few pictures of the skimmer before it gets cleaned this afternoon. Nothing super exciting yet, but it's definitely working!
And a quick snapshot of the working system...
Today marks the one week point and I can tell you that things are definitely going smoother than in tanks-past. Everyone looks really healthy and things are growing and multiplying. I'm not certain there is any way to measure the positives after one week
So far I did manage a 15% water change in the Q-tank and that's it. While baking up a little lunch I snapped a few pictures of the skimmer before it gets cleaned this afternoon. Nothing super exciting yet, but it's definitely working!
And a quick snapshot of the working system...
Today marks the one week point and I can tell you that things are definitely going smoother than in tanks-past. Everyone looks really healthy and things are growing and multiplying. I'm not certain there is any way to measure the positives after one week
melev
Well-known member
Hop, cleaning skimmers is one of those things I harp on all the time. I clean mine daily. So..... I would like to encourage you to figure out a way that will allow you to clean the riser tube more frequently. That scum actually reduces the skimmer's proficiency quite a bit.
Looking at the lid, it doesn't look like it comes off all that easily. How about creating some type of sprinkler head rinsing system? What I'm seeing in my head is a sprinkler (pointed downward inside the collection cup) that sprays 360 degrees, hooked up to 12" of rigid PVC. It would need some type of oring or uniseal to hold it firmly and keep it airtight (so the waste collector can do its job). Connected to the PVC would be some flexible tubing and it would lead down to a pump in a bucket of RO/DI water.
Turn on the pump, and it sprays the riser tube clean. Pressing the PVC downward, it washes all of the tube as you move it down and back up again. Turn it off when done. You may add 1g of RO/DI water to your system in the process, but you didn't have to take the cup apart. Just refill the bucket with more water when necessary.
Or take the lid off, use a toilet brush and scrub that stuff off in a few swishes.
Looking at the lid, it doesn't look like it comes off all that easily. How about creating some type of sprinkler head rinsing system? What I'm seeing in my head is a sprinkler (pointed downward inside the collection cup) that sprays 360 degrees, hooked up to 12" of rigid PVC. It would need some type of oring or uniseal to hold it firmly and keep it airtight (so the waste collector can do its job). Connected to the PVC would be some flexible tubing and it would lead down to a pump in a bucket of RO/DI water.
Turn on the pump, and it sprays the riser tube clean. Pressing the PVC downward, it washes all of the tube as you move it down and back up again. Turn it off when done. You may add 1g of RO/DI water to your system in the process, but you didn't have to take the cup apart. Just refill the bucket with more water when necessary.
Or take the lid off, use a toilet brush and scrub that stuff off in a few swishes.
OK, OK...
After re-reading my post it does make it sound as though I went a week without cleaning the skimmer and I would hate for people to think that my husbandry routine is that bad... I didn't know everyday, but I was doing it about every three days. This is day three that you see in the picture since the last cleaning and it has been cleaned three times(including today) since the tank has salt water added.
I have been looking into ideas taken from a higher-end skimmer, outside my price range that may start with the letter "D" and has an automated cleaning head. Your idea is different than I was thinking but very much a possibility. At the very least it takes about 20 seconds to pop the top and I could run a brush down it. it only takes about five minutes to tear it down, clean and reassemble it any way.
So I will up my cleaning regimen on the skimmer and I'll let you know if I find any semi-automated or easier cleaning solutions
After re-reading my post it does make it sound as though I went a week without cleaning the skimmer and I would hate for people to think that my husbandry routine is that bad... I didn't know everyday, but I was doing it about every three days. This is day three that you see in the picture since the last cleaning and it has been cleaned three times(including today) since the tank has salt water added.
I have been looking into ideas taken from a higher-end skimmer, outside my price range that may start with the letter "D" and has an automated cleaning head. Your idea is different than I was thinking but very much a possibility. At the very least it takes about 20 seconds to pop the top and I could run a brush down it. it only takes about five minutes to tear it down, clean and reassemble it any way.
So I will up my cleaning regimen on the skimmer and I'll let you know if I find any semi-automated or easier cleaning solutions
melev
Well-known member
Please don't feel badly just because I brought this up. I see you defending your actions, and I didn't mean to generate that line of thinking. Cleaning skimmers is a pet peeve of mine. I was visiting Servo's new 400g system yesterday, and his skimmer had the same foul buildup in the riser tube and I talked with him about it. Since I was there, he felt obligated to show me how easy it was to clean it, but he didn't actually clean the riser tube, only what he could reach within the cup with some paper towels.
If you are cleaning it every 3 days, that should be good enough. The reason I clean my daily is as I stated above, and that is why I built my sump the way I did. I wanted easy access to that so I wouldn't be lacsidasical about that necessary duty.
H20eng makes square skimmers, but usually the only place that needs cleaning is the collection cup area. Even with his design, a magnet wouldn't do the job.
If you are cleaning it every 3 days, that should be good enough. The reason I clean my daily is as I stated above, and that is why I built my sump the way I did. I wanted easy access to that so I wouldn't be lacsidasical about that necessary duty.
H20eng makes square skimmers, but usually the only place that needs cleaning is the collection cup area. Even with his design, a magnet wouldn't do the job.
jnarowe
New member
Well, I find that cleaning goes beyond the collection cup. Even with the simple prizm I have, there is considerable filming on the inside of the riser tube as well as the outside. I clean mine whenever it needs it regardless of time-frame. When I build my DIY skimmer, it's going to be quite large and I may make it square with 2 or 3 magnets inside. That way there will be no EXCUSE for not cleaning it. While it will be segmented and have a bypass etc., being able to quickly run a magnet over a trouble spot seems like good planning.
Also, with the size I need, it's rather difficult finding the acrylic. I want it to have a 12" diameter main body, same or larger collection cup, and an 18" x 18" x 12" airstone compartment. It's tough to find the acrylic in 12" tube!--J
Also, with the size I need, it's rather difficult finding the acrylic. I want it to have a 12" diameter main body, same or larger collection cup, and an 18" x 18" x 12" airstone compartment. It's tough to find the acrylic in 12" tube!--J
melev said:
Sorry, it wasn't meant to sound defensive. I should not have replied when I was having the great family Reunion/debate via MS Instant Messenger. It's bad when my sister and I get to yapping with my dad and others scattered about the country... Never goes real well
Imagine that I'm the blacksheep, but the only one that never begs or wants cash??? Sorry OT...Anyways.. I appreciate all the input you can give. I listen to what you say and suggest acutely. Heck you and weatherson are the reasons behind this addiction
My wife on the other hand would probably like a few moments alone with you and a small caliber weapon:lol:
jnarowe
New member
Melev: Already checked it out from your previous post. Some interesting designs although I can't quite figure out how he cleans those collection cups with the inverted roof inside. I am very excited to see those skimmers and although I plan a simpler version, they will be good guidlines. Thanks a bunch, gigalo.
HOP: Great news on the Naso. It probably figured "Why starve? Might as well eat since I can't get out!"
Have you named them yet?????--J
HOP: Great news on the Naso. It probably figured "Why starve? Might as well eat since I can't get out!"
Have you named them yet?????--J
melev: Don't worry she's a pretty good shot, but she's slow. Just run really fast. I've never seen her take anything on the run! LOL
jnarowe: Thanks, I was so excited I forgot to lower the SG this afternoon for them... We're close, sitting at about 1.014. Still need to drop it a hair! And I have yet to really name fish, other that I had a FW festivum that we called Ford and I had a 12" Pike Cichlid that we called the terminator. I may have to start looking in to proper names, I wouldn't want the other fish to start making fun of them
So I broke out the work camera and started playing with it. It's a little more difficult to set up to take tank pics, but it's got better features. I still have a ton of playing to do, but here are a few that stood out.
Full:
From the entrance into the room:
A little close up:
From the side:
And the last one:
I know this camera takes more detailed shots, but I have to figure out how
jnarowe: Thanks, I was so excited I forgot to lower the SG this afternoon for them... We're close, sitting at about 1.014. Still need to drop it a hair! And I have yet to really name fish, other that I had a FW festivum that we called Ford and I had a 12" Pike Cichlid that we called the terminator. I may have to start looking in to proper names, I wouldn't want the other fish to start making fun of them
So I broke out the work camera and started playing with it. It's a little more difficult to set up to take tank pics, but it's got better features. I still have a ton of playing to do, but here are a few that stood out.
Full:
From the entrance into the room:
A little close up:
From the side:
And the last one:
I know this camera takes more detailed shots, but I have to figure out how
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