runningstix
New member
Is anyone running a diy skimmer that fits in their stand? Im debating a diy for the next setup.
Or should I just spend the money and buy one?
Or should I just spend the money and buy one?
DIY Skimmer
- Thread starter runningstix
- Start date
zombiereef
New member
buy one. do you really want that headache? if someone is selling a diy skimmer, do you think it really worked? if it worked, i would keep it. skimmers are like cars; people dont get rid of "perfectly fine" automobiles for no reason.
as for making one: you are going to have to tinker with (time hog) it and how reliable is it really going to be compared to an engineered new one?
you can get a really decent, brand new skimmer for your 46g for less than $300. i picked up a new asm g-2 for my 60g for same $$$ i could buy it online for.
as for making one: you are going to have to tinker with (time hog) it and how reliable is it really going to be compared to an engineered new one?
you can get a really decent, brand new skimmer for your 46g for less than $300. i picked up a new asm g-2 for my 60g for same $$$ i could buy it online for.
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adova
Premium Member
I was reading this as a build vs. buy question. And in my opinion, unless you are trying to run a very high end skimmer (like a quad beckett or something), buy one. The cost of the acylic is not that cheap (for tubes especially) nor easy to come by and time is money....
Shawn
Shawn
runningstix
New member
Yes, it was posted more as a do it myself vs buy not buy someones diy.
adova I am afraid that skimmer on a 60g total system would be overkill am I wrong? Is there anything wrong with going that far overkill?
adova I am afraid that skimmer on a 60g total system would be overkill am I wrong? Is there anything wrong with going that far overkill?
miwoodar
Likey the bikey
I debated for a while too. In the end, I searched the DIY forums and made a EuroReef RC135 clone for $180 including a new Sedra 5000 pump. It's extruded - not quite as nice as the real thing but at ~$500 savings, I couldn't say no.
Here is a photo minutes after setting it up for the first time...
Here is a photo minutes after setting it up for the first time...
runningstix
New member
yes very nice I would be interested in a diy link as well if you care to share. Perhaps we could do a group buy of materials and build like the lumenarcs if there is an interest???
bigsittingrock
Premium Member
What is the footprint on it?
miwoodar
Likey the bikey
Here are two good links....
http://www.randystacye.com/diy_needle_wheel_skimmer.htm
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1075121&perpage=&pagenumber=1
This was my first acrylic project and I have been very pleased with it. The next time I make a skimmer though it will look much better as I know a lot more know than I did then (I hope anyways
).
I couldn't find a union to fit my pipe sizes without getting one on-line (my neck is not a true 3" in diameter). I ended up making the collar out of a piece of straight acrylic by heating it in the oven for a few minutes and bending it into a hoop and sticking it together with a little Weldon 40. I used the neck like a jig to get the shape right. This is the one piece I wish I had spent a little more time with as it could have looked much better. The bottom of the neck sits flush with the top of the cone. I wouldn't use this for an out of the sump skimmer. It actually gets a good seal though and has never leaked. I made the cone out of a flat piece of acrylic that was also heated in the oven (~3 minutes at 200???). It took a few tries to get it to a point that I was pleased with the shape. I formed it by laying the soft sheet on top of the body and gently pushing down in the center with the neck. I dremeled out the center of the cone afterwards. Altogether, I might have put 6-ish hours into the skimmer. It took about a week to make due to having to wait for the pieces to dry each time I glued something.
http://www.randystacye.com/diy_needle_wheel_skimmer.htm
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1075121&perpage=&pagenumber=1
This was my first acrylic project and I have been very pleased with it. The next time I make a skimmer though it will look much better as I know a lot more know than I did then (I hope anyways
). I couldn't find a union to fit my pipe sizes without getting one on-line (my neck is not a true 3" in diameter). I ended up making the collar out of a piece of straight acrylic by heating it in the oven for a few minutes and bending it into a hoop and sticking it together with a little Weldon 40. I used the neck like a jig to get the shape right. This is the one piece I wish I had spent a little more time with as it could have looked much better. The bottom of the neck sits flush with the top of the cone. I wouldn't use this for an out of the sump skimmer. It actually gets a good seal though and has never leaked. I made the cone out of a flat piece of acrylic that was also heated in the oven (~3 minutes at 200???). It took a few tries to get it to a point that I was pleased with the shape. I formed it by laying the soft sheet on top of the body and gently pushing down in the center with the neck. I dremeled out the center of the cone afterwards. Altogether, I might have put 6-ish hours into the skimmer. It took about a week to make due to having to wait for the pieces to dry each time I glued something.
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spleify
Premium Member
Thanks for the links and tutorial on your build. Mike.
Does anyone know what type of material the tubing is at a place like Plasticare? I have seen all sizes of clear actylic tubing over there. Would that stuff work ok for making a skimmer? I'm not a big fan of the white PVC, I like the clear better.
Spleify
Does anyone know what type of material the tubing is at a place like Plasticare? I have seen all sizes of clear actylic tubing over there. Would that stuff work ok for making a skimmer? I'm not a big fan of the white PVC, I like the clear better.
Spleify
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zombiereef
New member
have you priced out acrylic tubes? that will make some of the prices of some things like calcium reactors a little easier to swallow. i was shocked.
G.SMITHII
New member
http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/diy/29882-diy-beckett-skimmer.html
this guys my freggin hero. DIY like this takes skills.
this guys my freggin hero. DIY like this takes skills.
miwoodar
Likey the bikey
I got my acrylic from Plasticare. It was supposed to be ~$35/foot for 6" extruded. The piece of stock he was cutting my tube from had some extra on it. He ended up giving me ~22" for $35. That place has a ton of scrap laying around. I'm sure there are plenty of similar deals to be had if you ask.
Frankie does great stuff but Donw is *my* DIY hero!
You need a two car garage full of tools for his projects though. He makes high end wood projects on the side and has every tool you could think of....
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8028
Look at this one...it even comes with a cup cleaner!
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=6672&d=1121921884
And a close up of the cup with an engraving of his info:
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=6661&d=1121920844
***edit***
Fixed link
Frankie does great stuff but Donw is *my* DIY hero!
You need a two car garage full of tools for his projects though. He makes high end wood projects on the side and has every tool you could think of....
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8028
Look at this one...it even comes with a cup cleaner!
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=6672&d=1121921884
And a close up of the cup with an engraving of his info:
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=6661&d=1121920844
***edit***
Fixed link
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