drummereef's 180g in-wall build

[jmadison]

So they are running just the single askoll? and blocking off the other hole? That video looks like the pump is a single askoll, would I be correct in assuming that? I see that you can order the skimmer pumpless, I wonder if they will assemble it with the askolls at MS before shipping them out?

Sorry to jack your thread!

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15123845#post15123845 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmadison
So they are running just the single askoll? and blocking off the other hole? That video looks like the pump is a single askoll, would I be correct in assuming that? I see that you can order the skimmer pumpless, I wonder if they will assemble it with the askolls at MS before shipping them out?

Sorry to jack your thread!

That's correct. The only downside to the 250w/Askoll is the added price. You are getting into the range where you could get a 1S or 2S Cone. Or even better yet the 1A which is a cone with an Askoll. Then again, once you get into the 1A range you might as well pop for a Bubble King. Sorry to give you more options, just letting you know.

 

[drummereef]

Got my parts from Savco today so I'm set to finish up the plumbing. Hey Marc, I was looking into the hole saws at Lowes. They carry Lenox brand saws which seem to get favorable reviews. Any thoughts or experience with them? Is there anything in particular I should be looking for like number of teeth and/or vent holes etc...?

 

[melev]

No, none. I've only used what I could find at Home Depot, sorry.

Odds are they are very comparable and should be fine.

 

[Hop]

I've had the same set of cheap set of hole saws for years. They still work fine.

 

[110galreef]

I too just used what i found at Lowe's and had no issues. Just be sure to take you time drilling the acrylic, so as not to heat it up!

I would drill say 5-10 secs on one hole, STOP, then drill another holed for like 5-10 secs, STOP, they go to another, and so on to be sure i didn't melt or distort the acrlic.

Also be sure not to push at all when just about to go ALL the way through the acrylic as it may chip or burr the edge. I belive tape helps this from happeneing. Been a while for me.....
Good luck

 

[H.Veras]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15128469#post15128469 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drummereef
Got my parts from Savco today so I'm set to finish up the plumbing. Hey Marc, I was looking into the hole saws at Lowes. They carry Lenox brand saws which seem to get favorable reviews. Any thoughts or experience with them? Is there anything in particular I should be looking for like number of teeth and/or vent holes etc...?

nice plumbing is done... that means that water is coming soon... hahahah pictures of the plumbing plz....

 

[Hop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15124502#post15124502 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drummereef
That's correct. The only downside to the 250w/Askoll is the added price. You are getting into the range where you could get a 1S or 2S Cone. Or even better yet the 1A which is a cone with an Askoll. Then again, once you get into the 1A range you might as well pop for a Bubble King. Sorry to give you more options, just letting you know.

My askoll should be here Monday Sorry:lol: I just had to give it a whirl...

 

[jmadison]

Hop- Do you have any video of your skimmer before you install the askoll pump? I was gonna see if you would be able to do before and after videos of the skimmer?

 

[Hop]

I could maybe take a lousy one from my point and shoot camera. Perhaps I'll do that.


Drum... did you punch any holes yet?

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15139428#post15139428 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by H.Veras
nice plumbing is done... that means that water is coming soon... hahahah pictures of the plumbing plz....

Well not quite yet H. Will be done soon though.

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15139509#post15139509 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hop
My askoll should be here Monday Sorry:lol: I just had to give it a whirl...

Sweet Hop!!! Can't wait to see the numbers you get from it. Post some pics in here when you get it.

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15139591#post15139591 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hop
Drum... did you punch any holes yet?

Uploading pics now..... :smokin:

 

[drummereef]

UPDATE:


OK guys, got some updates to show you. Picked up a couple hole saws and an arbor to match today and got started on tapping the holes in the sump. If you've never seen a closeup of an arbor and hole saw, here it is.


I chose a 3/8" arbor. It fits most hand drill chucks. Note the alignment pins and threads on the arbor.

The hole saw. I went with a Lenox brand bi-metal hole saw from Lowes.

Here's where you thread the hole saw onto the arbor.

Align the pins with the holes in the saw.

Press the quick release down so the pins seat into the hole saw.

Here you can see the seated pins.

The completed tool.

 

[drummereef]

Here we go!


First I used yellow masking tape to tape off the area to be drilled. Measured and marked the center of the hole to be drilled. Then I drilled a pilot hole the same size as the bit in the hole saw arbor.

Then I clamped a scrap board to the back of the piece to be drilled to minimize any chipping or tear out. I found it a little easier to start the drill backwards for a few seconds to get the cut started, then slowly started cutting with the drill in the forwards position. I went very slow as to not allow the acrylic to heat up or bind against the saw.

The hole.

Without the masking tape. Clean and no chipping.

With 1.5" bulkhead seated.

Drain side done.

Suction side done. I found with the 3" hole saw for the suction side, I had to take it even more slow than the 2.5" saw for the drain side. There was a little chatter in the saw so going slow really helped to minimize this. All in all it went rather smooth. The hardest part is getting the courage to cut the holes and not look back. That would have been an expensive mistake, right?

 

[tangtang clown]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14870182#post14870182 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drummereef
You ask and you shall receive. Here's some sketchup plans of the plumbing so far. Up for debate at this point.

What program are you using to make these drawings? Pretty cool.

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15141489#post15141489 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tangtang clown
What program are you using to make these drawings? Pretty cool.

I used Google Sketchup (free version).

http://sketchup.google.com/

















You beat me to page 16 btw.

 

[Byronc]

I just had a chance to catch up on your whole thread from the start. This is an excellent build with good detailing. I'm looking forward to following along!!




"What program are you using to make these drawings? Pretty cool."

^It looks like sketchup to me

 

[melev]

When drilling with the hole saw, I've never seen the need to drill a pilot hole. The drill bit in the arbor is the pilot bit, which drills through cleanly before the hole saw works its magic.

Great pictures.

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15141775#post15141775 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Byronc
I just had a chance to catch up on your whole thread from the start. This is an excellent build with good detailing. I'm looking forward to following along!!

Thanks Byronc. Glad to have you tagging along.