Downdraft skimmer update.

If yours is working great already, it is going to be amazing in a few days. Mine seems to take about 1 to 2 days before it really starts getting a super thick foam going. It works good at first and then it really turns it on after it gets primed up. I also lose very little water volume with this skimmer, it's all good dirty thick foam when it hits the bucket. The water is heavier, and seems to run back to the riser and leave the gunk in the foam to be sucked out of the hose.
 
Would it be alright to use just a standard 2" PVC pipe for the riser? I know I would not be able to see inside but by playing with the hose inserted through the top I should be able to get optimal performance, eventually.

BTW, DIY products are going to save me about $500 and the time it would take to save that much, thanks to this forum.
 
You will REALLY REALLY regret going with a non-transparant riser for the foam riser. You really need to see what's going on with the foam. And I would really recommend you put a funnel on the bottom of the tube, like I did. I think it helps alot with foam ejection.
 
This is an intriging idea. I've considered adding another skimmer to my 75 reef tank. I probably only have 300 -350gph coming through my sump/fuge. I have an old two port air pump. If I added two lime stone airstones to this skimmer, will this resolve the bubble issue due to the slower flow?
 
Yes it will, along with reducing the box size for the low flow rate, like captbunzo did. You will not end up with 2 skimmers running, you will end up with the one you have now for sale, and a 2* cooler tank temp.
 
My 20L sump's input chamber is about the same size as his. Glad to hear the reduced box size helps with the reduced flow issue. As for if I'll be selling my Remora, we'll see.

Does Wayne make these all one size or custom sizes? If it is one size, I'll have to find a clear box that will fit. I lack the tools to make my own.
 
Glenns, i talked to Wayne today, and he said he is fixing to be making some more skimmers, and will custom build the size you need. He said the price will be the same though as most of the cost is in the pvc and clear riser.
 
dugg,

Silly question:

I suck at acrylic work. I am good at drilling glass. I plan on making it out of glass and just leaving one side 1-1/2" short from the bottom. Do you think this would be ok?

Also, since you judge the skimmate by the output hose, couldn't you just use 2" PVC for the riser?

I will have about 1000 gph running through it.

Another question: How much is shipping to 35811 if I decide to buy one?

Thanks,
speakeraddict
 
Using glass and the 1 1/2 inch gap would be fine.

The pvc riser would make it where you wouldn't be able to see what was going on, and where to set the hose to. You would only know by the actual output, so ajusting could be tricky.

1000gph is exactly what it was originally designed to flow, so you will get the full bennefit of this skimmer.

I have no idea about shipping as i am not the one that makes or sells them. You can ask wayne though by email. Wayne@WaynesPets.com
or phone. 352-357-3474
 
i just slapped one of these together its ugly cuz i dont do diy. im very curious as to if it will work because i had to make it slightly smaller because of water levels and the size of the area where my water drains to. its aprox 12x6x6 with the 1 1/2in gap. im going to be pushing ~1200gph though it. im waiting for the silicone to dry since i couldnt get ahold of any acrylic weldon. as soon as it is ready ill let you know if it actually worked
 
oh also i got 1.5in clear tube at a local hard ware store for 3 bucks. its a plastic tube used to protect floresent office bulbs.
 
Here's an awful tip. I couldn't get a hold of Weld-On, so I used clear PVC cleaner. The main component of Weld-On and the clear PVC cleaner is Methyl Ethyl Ketone, in both.

It worked fine for me since mine sits directly in my sump. Probably not ok for building anything meant to be watertight.
 
Dugg, how loud is this skimmer? When I first setup my sump, it took a few weeks for me to prevent gurgling in the input chamber. I had to move the input line to about 2" from the bottom.
 
Ok, i asked Wayne about the clear tube, he said he gets his at equatic eco systems, which is a pond store, so you might check out local koi pond stores. He said it is clear PVC. He buys it in 8 ft sections though, not sure about small pieces for a single unit.

oosurfin- Ugly don't matter when you are making something to skim poop lol.

glenns - Mine is really quiet. When i first set it up i did have a gurgle in mine too. The gurgle was caused by the low flow rate. With a low flow the bubbles collect and make big bubbles that make noise when they hit the riser. The powerhead and airstone fixed it. If you have it running right it shouldn't make noise. You should have to be right over it pretty close to hear it at all. I can barely hear the water coming down the pipe and nothing at all from the skimmer.
 
with mine i actually put a 90 elbow inside the box and siliconed a pipe through it so i could attach an elbow 90 or 45. the only thing im really worried about with this is that the silicone wont hold because of the force of the water. then i will have tear it appart and mail order some weldon and rebuild it .
 
oosurfin , You don't need that elbow inside, with 1200gph it will work great without it. Wayne runs one on his 140gal. store display tank with 1000 gph and it produces plenty of flow and micro bubbles to run it silently. If you put the elbow on it facing toward the exit, You will probably get a bunch of bubbles in the sump.
 
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