Travis L. Stevens
New member
Here's an update on the skimmer that details its assembly. It should be able to completely break down for easy cleaning.
The drain from the tank is simple. The drain itself attaches into a bulkhead, and the bulkhead attaches to the skimmer body.
The skimmer neck and collection cup is a little more difficult. To put it easy, it works just like a MaxiJet Impellar cap; twist on and flanges lock it together. The skimmer neck will have four sets of two flanges. The acrylic that makes up the skimmer body will fit between the flanges to make it stable and secure. The collection cup will work similarly. Since the collection cup already comes outwards so it can sit inside the skimmer neck, I'll just need two flanges to keep it locked in place. And of course the cap just sits on top. This might have to change depending on how much bubbles/skimmate I produce. I would hate to push the lid off.
The drain from the skimmer is pretty simple. I'll have two rubber washers on each side of the skimmer body. I'll take a "Coupling Slip x Male Threaded" on the inside of the skimmer body and a "90º Slip x Female Threaded" on the outside. When these are tightened together, they'll keep the rubber washers in place and prevent leaking. If it does leak, it won't be a problem since that will be underwater. Then, assemble a Gate Valve and some PVC and that's done
The bottom in a piece of acrylic with a lip on three sides. The lip will be on the outside of the skimmer body. There are flanges on the inside of the lip that will push into the bottom of the skimmer body and snap over to lock it into place.
And that is it. If I can make it, it should work like a charm. This will be one of the most detailed projects I've done.
The drain from the tank is simple. The drain itself attaches into a bulkhead, and the bulkhead attaches to the skimmer body.
The skimmer neck and collection cup is a little more difficult. To put it easy, it works just like a MaxiJet Impellar cap; twist on and flanges lock it together. The skimmer neck will have four sets of two flanges. The acrylic that makes up the skimmer body will fit between the flanges to make it stable and secure. The collection cup will work similarly. Since the collection cup already comes outwards so it can sit inside the skimmer neck, I'll just need two flanges to keep it locked in place. And of course the cap just sits on top. This might have to change depending on how much bubbles/skimmate I produce. I would hate to push the lid off.
The drain from the skimmer is pretty simple. I'll have two rubber washers on each side of the skimmer body. I'll take a "Coupling Slip x Male Threaded" on the inside of the skimmer body and a "90º Slip x Female Threaded" on the outside. When these are tightened together, they'll keep the rubber washers in place and prevent leaking. If it does leak, it won't be a problem since that will be underwater. Then, assemble a Gate Valve and some PVC and that's done
The bottom in a piece of acrylic with a lip on three sides. The lip will be on the outside of the skimmer body. There are flanges on the inside of the lip that will push into the bottom of the skimmer body and snap over to lock it into place.
And that is it. If I can make it, it should work like a charm. This will be one of the most detailed projects I've done.
