DIY Skimmer Body 12"

[jahull]

I ran across these tanks and I thought might be a good way to get a clear body for a DIY protein skimmer. They are clear tubes 12" in diameter, and 4' high for 102$. It says they are made of fiberglass.

I guess the challenge would be figuring out how to transition to a neck. Anyhow, I just thought it was an intriguing idea! Has anyone tried it before?

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/4094/cid/1185

-Josh

 

[Pbrown3701]

.04" is awefully thin

 

[h20cooled]

Yeah I don't know how you would plumb anything through the body without cracking it. If you want cheap look around in the news paper and stuff for scraps of PVC pipe. I found 10' of 12" and 10" pipe for $20.

Rich

 

[xtrstangx]

Not to mention you won't have a lot of surface area for gluing if its .04" thick so it'd probably leak if used externally?

 

[RichConley]

Its made to hold water, so even at .04, I'm sure its plenty strong. I say go ahead and give it a try. As to pluming through, drill your hole, cement a piece of 1/2" acrylic to the hole, then drill and tap the acrylic block.

 

[RandyStacyE]

Those are cool; I’ve seen them in their catalogue. Being that thin it could make it difficult, but where there is a will there’s a way. I had a similar problem making a skimmer because I didn’t want to make flanges, an acrylic cone or use a flat top. I wanted a dome/tapered cone but didn’t want the expense. I ended up using a floor drain, flipped it upside down and glued it to the top of my 6” PVC pipe/skimmer body. I’d bet you could find something similar to use.

Thread:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=881137

http://randystacye.com/diy_needle_wheel_skimmer.htm

Also being so thin you would have to support you plumbing. You couldn’t allow any plumbing to “hang” on the skimmer body at all.

 

[H20ENG]

Those tanks are fiberglass by SunLight. They also make venturi skimmers. They are fragile! Lots of public aquariums used them. Most epoxied the fittings on.

 

[jahull]

Hmm... I didn't notice how thin they were before!!! You guys are totally right.

RandyStacyE - I like the drain idea! Nice skimmer...

After thinking about it I am just going to use PVC to make a skimmer - a CC style.

Has anyone ever used a super luft air pump on a CC skimmer? I'm thinking about 5' tall 6" in diameter with ~150gph going through...