Dart threadwheel skimmer build

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8369296#post8369296 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Covey
Wierd to say about a 14" 4' tall skimmer but I think this is the smallest skimmer the dart has ever been put on. Should be interesting to see if it can handle it.

The diffuser should get a workout.
Yeah it's going to be interesting!
 
Well I did the changes on the impeller. It is like swiss cheese alright! I just need ti zip tie the mesh on.

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I would do more swiss than that if it were me... (I love making suggestions with other people's equipment and time...lol).
 
We have lift off!

We have lift off!

Guys it was the fresh water! These are the smallest bubbles I have ever seen! I can put the Alita al-60 on here and bleed off just a little bit! It doesn't cavitate until I try to put the whole alita al-60 power to it! And I still didn't change out the impeller to the new swiss cheese one! It is still the impeller with the mesh on the front and back without the holes drilled! I will put the new one with holes in it later.
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OK...I have to say that looks freakin' awesome! Much prettier than my square skimmer...I would call it the "Phatty". :D
 
F'ing sweet Mike. F'ing sweet. It's nice that you don't have to F' up your impeller to make it look like that. That is making a lot of bubbles and will definitely perform.

I have complete faith in the mesh now. It seems to work well on both small and large. :)

Thanks for sharing!

Peace,
John
 
Thanks John! I know I sound like a broken record, but man it is unbelievable how little turbulence is going on with a dart. The thread wheel is the only reason I can run a Dart on this size skimmer. If this was a regular needlewheel, I don't know that the body could handle the power of a dart. I am not sure about that because I haven't put a regular NW on the dart yet. Maybe the 14 inch tube is big enough. The total height with the cup is 42 inches. So it is not the height. Anyway, I am stoked!
 
Well, either way you look at it. I think it looks like it'll be a success. I can't remember or don't know if you even mentioned it... but what size tank is this bugger going on... because it'll be able to skim a pretty damn large system. :)

The great thing about the threadwheel is that it is so simple, that I think I'd be able to take a crack at it with enough time. Haha

Peace,
John
 
Ha! Ha! You are not going to believe this but it is for a 200 gallon system! I know I know I am sick, SICK! I think I am going to add about 30 or 40 fish!
 
smjtkj- that looks awsome!

I dont mean to hijack....but do you think a dart thread wheel would do the trick on an rk2? Currently we have one on our system (at the store)....but the recirc venturi pump died on us. Currently it is using a ~12 in mazzei. Think I should just get a new pump...or go threadwheel?

e+f
 
I don't see why it wouln't work. But I don't have any experience with the threadwheel except on this skimmer.. I am going to put the same dart threadwheel on a 12 inch body that is abot 5 1/2 ft
and a diffusor chamber. The guy who bought the tiny might skimmer from me is wanting to do this on that skimmer!
 
How many watts is the pump running?

I must say I am very impressed with the bubble size/contistancy.
I am not sure it is the threadwheel design causing this however.
Could be your venturi design as well. I only say this because my threadwheel looked almost identical to yours and the results were not as good.....on a 20" diameter body.

Lots of other variables involved.
Maybe I can get a needlewheel for you to try just for comparison on your setup?

John
 
I would say it is pulling at least 100 scfh or more by itself with the adjustable venturi. That is not too bad, but not enough for a body this size. Maybe with a mazzei on it it would be better. I don't know!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8376817#post8376817 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by john f
How many watts is the pump running?

I must say I am very impressed with the bubble size/contistancy.
I am not sure it is the threadwheel design causing this however.
Could be your venturi design as well. I only say this because my threadwheel looked almost identical to yours and the results were not as good.....on a 20" diameter body.

Lots of other variables involved.
Maybe I can get a needlewheel for you to try just for comparison on your setup?

John

The dart is running at 112 to 115 watts. I think I can bring that down with the swiss cheese wheel. It is alot lighter and also less resistance. It is running with the threadwheel on both sides. 3 layers on the front and 2 on the back. That would be great if u could let me try the NW. That is really the only way to know...
 
John F, I also did a hhole lot of millimgh in the volute of my dart.
Did you take a bunch of material out of yours?
 
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