CalmSeasQuest Desktop Tank and DIY CSQ Skimmer

KafudaFish said:
I don't want to post my answer and mess things up for everyone. I bet everyone has been thinking it through too. I will pm you what I think you will be doing. Don't tell me one way or another though. I am interested and want to be suprised as well.

How did you attach the top to the tube for your skimmer? Weldon or super glue gel?

I found foot long tubes on line but no one sells circular sheets in the 2 to 4 inch diameter range.
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Got your PM, Per your wishes, I'll not comment. :)

I acquired the materials from USPlastic - The skimmer was constructed out of 2" acrylic tubing and 1/8" flat sheet. The top of the cylinder was cut on an angle using a table saw, then flat stock was affixed using Weld-On #4 and hand formed to the required oval shape.

If I were to do more of these, I would create a template so that a router could be used to shape the top as it was very labor intensive to do freehand.
 
Ok thanks for the info. I have access to wood working equipment so that could make things easier.

If you had more space would you have gone with a bigger diameter or do you think 2" is the right size?
 
KafudaFish said:
Ok thanks for the info. I have access to wood working equipment so that could make things easier.

If you had more space would you have gone with a bigger diameter or do you think 2" is the right size?
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2" diameter works well for this purpose, a larger diameter body might improve circulation through the skimmer and would allow for a larger or second airstone. All things considered, I think I would have made it taller. For this tank, the next-gen will probably be ~15" tall.

In addition to the bubble plate, I'm toying with a couple other admittedly silly enhancements...

  • Use of a recirculating vacuum/pressure pump - The vacuum side would draw air from the top of the skimmate container, pass through GAC and be pumped back to the airstone. This would create a slight vacuum in the drain system and potentially increase flow through the skimmer.
  • Addition of a small (aqualifter type) pump - Increase the amount of water processed by adding a port to the side of the skimmer to pump in raw water. I considered tapping off the return pump, but this would be adding filtered water back through the skimmer.
Both ideas are largely an exercise in the absurd on this scale, but as with the rest of this build - at least no one will claim this is simply "more of the same" :)
 
Joce said:
very curious.....tagging along too!
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bebereef said:
You made me curious!
Have no choice now! I'm following...;)
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Welcome aboard!

Today's number are encouraging....
  • Ammonia 0
  • Nitrites 0
  • Nitrates 0~5 (I don't know how anyone can tell the difference using an API test)
I'm especially pleased that the Nitrates number has dropped. I know it's far too early to draw any conclusions, but until evidence points otherwise, I'm going to hope the Marine Pure denitrification experiment is working :) I re-dosed ammonia back to 3ppm - if Mondays results show the same were "in business."

I'm also pleased that at least thus far, there have been no signs of typical cycle-related algae or Cyano outbreaks. I'm wondering if it's just a bit early, or if jumping right to ammonia has had an impact. Time will tell.

I remembered to bring my DSLR to the office and at the moment, I've got reef "parts" completely covering my desk. I'll get some photography done this evening and with any luck - will be able to start installations on Monday.
 
The little skimmer that could...

2012-03-021701.jpg


I'm anxious to see what it does when it actually has waste (other than the ammonia being dosed) to deal with.
 
"No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy"

"No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy"

Monday was a mixed-news day. The good was that I believe we've got the cycle completed. Once again the 3ppm of ammonia added to the tank on Friday was gone on with no signs of any nuisance algae or bacterial blooms...

Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 0

I'll dose another 3 ppm ammonia today to keep things going and reach out to Tal to let him know I can pick up the clowns next week. The flip side of the coin was that part of my concept didn't provide quite the anticipated results...

As I've been working through the idea and build for this tank, I had what started as two separate concepts that, somewhere in the process I had believed could be incorporated together. While in a larger tank I'm convinced it would work; in a tank this small including both designs resulted in a bit too "muchiness", so...

I spent the better part of yesterday removing and remaking each installation for this tank, removing the second design component. I am confident this will achieve the intended results.

I hope to have it completed in the next few days and be able to start photography. Hopefully by early next week you'll be able to see what I've been up to. :)
 
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Too bad it did not go as planned but better now at this point than a year or two in and you decide that you are unhappy.

We talk about patience being so important in the hobby but I think flexibility is a close second.
 
KafudaFish said:
Too bad it did not go as planned but better now at this point than a year or two in and you decide that you are unhappy.

We talk about patience being so important in the hobby but I think flexibility is a close second.
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+1 on the importance of flexibility.

I began placing some of the installations in the tank. I'll be the first to admit that from a traditional reef perspective - It's even "stranger" than I anticipated. I'm hoping to have time to mount some of the livestock today and barring any unforeseen delays - will be able to show a few pics early this week.

Just remember, I told you this was going to be "unique." It's probably not something that will be liked by traditionalists.

On a side note - Gnome glass introduced a line of blown-glass skimmers at reefstock that are somewhat similar to the one created for this build. I still prefer my design, especially considering the $90 price tag for their largest model which is still smaller than this design. I believe the larger diameter drain line will be much more efficient and I prefer the use of magnets instead of a zip-tie.

Gnome Glass Skimmers and strainers launches at ReefStock
 
HurricaneCaleb said:
No updates in 5 days...whats up?
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Sorry Gang, I'm way behind this week. In a freak event, a normally well-behaved kitchen cabinet attacked me this past weekend. While I was ultimately victorious, I'm embarrassed to admit I ended up with a concussion as a result of the altercation. The result is I'm running at about half-speed.

The tank is cycled and I've started the coral selection and mounting process but I'll need a few more days before I have much to show.
 
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