DIY skimmer!
- Thread starter Andrew
- Start date
Stile2
New member
I take it that you are going to be adjusting the water height by adjusting the ball valve on the exit pipe?
If so, you will want to rework that. I had a similar setup on my skimmer and everytime I shut off the return pump and turned it back on I would overflow the skimmer. I literally dumped about two gallons of water everytime.
You need to do most of the water height adjustment by adjusting the height of the tee on the exit pipe, then do fine adjustments with a gate valve.
HTH
Keith
If so, you will want to rework that. I had a similar setup on my skimmer and everytime I shut off the return pump and turned it back on I would overflow the skimmer. I literally dumped about two gallons of water everytime.
You need to do most of the water height adjustment by adjusting the height of the tee on the exit pipe, then do fine adjustments with a gate valve.
HTH
Keith
Stile2
New member
My skimmer is gravity fed from the overflows. I guess yours is not. My bad.
Still is you turn off your skimmer feed pump the water in the skimmer will drain out until it gets the the level of the tee.
The reason I was getting the overflow from the skimmer is that adjusting the height by a valve creates back pressure and when the skimmer feed water changes it takes a while for the back pressure to readjust.
Keith
Still is you turn off your skimmer feed pump the water in the skimmer will drain out until it gets the the level of the tee.
The reason I was getting the overflow from the skimmer is that adjusting the height by a valve creates back pressure and when the skimmer feed water changes it takes a while for the back pressure to readjust.
Keith
Andrew
Active member
It's ok. I really hope this works out. I was planning on a gate valve but the lady at the plastic warehouse brought out the wrong one ( her fault ) and she gave it to me for $20 and it was a $50 some dollar ball valve so I just took that one. I didn't want to wait another 20 minutes while she went to get it the right one.
Pbrown3701
New member
i just changed from ball to gate as the ball is very hard to get precise adjustment which most skimmers require. I would have waited the extra 20 min 
comatose
Active member
I agree, you will be amazed at the difference from a ball valve to a gate valve, sometimes on a gate valve i make adjustments about 1/8 of a turn you'll never get that on a ball valve no matter how easy it is to turn,
i'm also concerned about a 30" high chamber with a venturi, you may not be able to pull enough air thru it from th head presure, you may have to add a air pump to the venturi.
i'm also concerned about a 30" high chamber with a venturi, you may not be able to pull enough air thru it from th head presure, you may have to add a air pump to the venturi.
RandyStacyE
New member
That's going to be a mean skimmer when you're done. You'll like the Sedra.
I once used a Sedra 9000 on a PVC skimmer I made. The pump turned out to be too big. My skimmer was only about 25" tall including the cup. Too bad, I ened up with a GX-2400 to run it.
I once used a Sedra 9000 on a PVC skimmer I made. The pump turned out to be too big. My skimmer was only about 25" tall including the cup. Too bad, I ened up with a GX-2400 to run it.
Andrew
Active member
They are both 900 gph and are both needlewheels. I plan on making a new venturi anyways if I would get the 9000. If I added an airpump to it, then wouldn't the water level drop alot since there would be less flow. I tried that with a 3'' tube skimmer and a rio 600. Without the airpump ( had a valve on it to control it ) the water level would go up 6''
comatose
Active member
I don't think you needed a 2" tube for the outflow, 1-1/4" probably would have been enough, 1-1/2 at most, what pump are you using to add water to the skimmer.
the sedra you plan on using is just for a recirc pump right?
I think all your measurments are fine(except for the outflow tube), it's just that using a venturi on a 30" high chamber you may have trouble sucking air into it cause of the head pressure. and the venturi may need help with a air pump. you'll still suck air in, it just may not be enough.
I would still add the venturi and see how it works and if your not sucking enuf air then add the air pump or get rid of the venturi and then just add the air directly like i did.
Most people who use a venturi, build there skimmers 24" or less in height if they don't want to use an air pump.
I would still build the skimmer the way you want, i'm just pointing out what problems you may run into.
remember you can always modify it if it doesn't work the way you thought, I modified mine once after i built it and now works pretty good.
everyone's skimmer is different because not everyone has their plumbing in the same place(higher or lower),or use a different pump, have a different neck, use differnt size venturi's, there are many varables, build yours and make adjustments.
the sedra you plan on using is just for a recirc pump right?
I think all your measurments are fine(except for the outflow tube), it's just that using a venturi on a 30" high chamber you may have trouble sucking air into it cause of the head pressure. and the venturi may need help with a air pump. you'll still suck air in, it just may not be enough.
I would still add the venturi and see how it works and if your not sucking enuf air then add the air pump or get rid of the venturi and then just add the air directly like i did.
Most people who use a venturi, build there skimmers 24" or less in height if they don't want to use an air pump.
I would still build the skimmer the way you want, i'm just pointing out what problems you may run into.
remember you can always modify it if it doesn't work the way you thought, I modified mine once after i built it and now works pretty good.
everyone's skimmer is different because not everyone has their plumbing in the same place(higher or lower),or use a different pump, have a different neck, use differnt size venturi's, there are many varables, build yours and make adjustments.
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