How many skimmers did you make before you were happy

[Stile2]

So far I have made one air stone driven skimmer. Worked ok for a while then the stones or air pumps kept failing.

Just finished a Ocean runner needle wheel skimmer. I already see things I would have done differently.

My question is for those that have built they own skimmers.

How many did it take before you were happy?

I am going to answer 4, 2 so far, and I can see 2 more in the not to distant future.

Keith

 

[lemonhead]

i built two different styles of tall venturi skimmers. both work good, nothing but black, stinky skimmate. the first are about 5 feet tall, made with 4 pvc with a mag 1200 with venturi on the intake of the pump and a stand pipe with a gate valve for adjustment. the second venturi are about 6 feet tall, pvc, mag 1200, but have a adjustable stand pipe to control water level. built 3 of these for the store. now i'm working on some air driven downdrafts.

 

[GROSSR]

What is it about the OC Needle wheel that you did and want to change. Was it a recirculating setup? Where you drilled the holes?

rich

 

[Stile2]

I would change the width of the flange that attaches the collection cup to the chamber and the design of the collection cup. I will take a picture and post tomorrow morning. The recirculation seems to be working fine, and I used the gate value mod to regulate height of the water, which seems to be working fine as well.

Keith

 

[Stile2]

Here are some pictures that I promised.

No real foam yet, but it will take at least a couple of days to slime up.


The redesign of the collection cup would involve having an actual neck so that I could put a small bulkhead in the bottom to remove skimate.

Also I have 1" input and 1" output. I would change that to 1" input and 1 1/2" output.

Keith

 

[GROSSR]

Would you recommend the Uniseals?

rich

 

[Stile2]

Absolutely! The uniseals are cheap, easy to install, and seem to work great. Outstanding product.

Keith

 

[GROSSR]

Any leakage or it the container for just in case?

rich

 

[Stile2]

No leakage, I planned my sump for the skimmer in it. I guess I was thinking just in case. But I think the plumbing is just easier for a skimmer in sump.

Right now it is just in a tupperware to cycle some extra rock I had to fill the new tank.

Keith

 

[comatose]

I made one.....but modified it a 100 times.......then went back to my original idea after all that......now i know 100 ways not to make a skimmer....lol

 

[GROSSR]

I just stopped off at Lowes. I am going to build a clear acrylic body and I will use cone shaped 6" to 4" and 4" to 3" rubber connectors. I won't be able to have as long a neck, but for a DIY recirc Deltec like skimmer it will work. If not I can take the part back to Lowes.

I was even thinking of making a square collection cup. What do you think of that idea? It just popped into my head.

rich

 

[comatose]

i don't see why a square cup wouldn't work.....even for the neck i was thinking a shape like a pyramid, i've formed skimmer necks before but a pyramid you can make as long as you want.

 

[Stile2]

I have seen several square skimmers on RC that seem to work.

Keith