Microbubble stopper + Free skimmer ?

ai-reefer

New member
I have been neglecting my tank for a little while(oops:)) so i decided to remove the sump and clean everything out, redo the plumbing, water change etc etc etc. But i still had a problem with a massive amount of micro bubbles getting into my display tank due to the splash created by the drain. I found a simple solution for $5 - $10 depending on where you shop.

This piece of pvc not only stops 100% of the bubbles but also doubles as a skimmer(sort of). I just gota figure out how to harvest the skimmate. If you guys have any ideas let me know

I've use different size pvcs' but this one works best(4") because its heavy and doesn't move. I think the large exit hole is the key; water is not rushing out of it.

The skimmate it makes is very steady unless the water level is too low, but this can be fixed with an auto topoff.

Theres a video at the bottom you can watch it in action :beer:

<img src="http://www.kashville.com/sump/3.jpg">

<img src="http://www.kashville.com/sump/4.jpg">

<img src="http://www.kashville.com/sump/2.jpg">

<img src="http://www.kashville.com/sump/5.jpg">

<object width="1280" height="745"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/e8PxaNBWUVw&hl=en_US&fs=1&hd=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/e8PxaNBWUVw&hl=en_US&fs=1&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="1280" height="745"></embed></object>
 
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You could make a collection cup for it from just about anything most people tend to like going down to walmart and seeing what kinda containers can be used at first I thought about a water jug cut down the middle and made to fit over the pipe and siliconed to it :;shurg::
 
Wow, that's pretty cool. Did you put a cap on the bottom of the wye, or is it just sitting in there?

There is nothing at the bottom, its not glued to tank; its just sitting steady in the tank. Its actually quite heavy so nothing moves or leaks out of the bottom.
 
Nice job. Maybe you can cap off the top and drill 2 holes one for the intake and one for a short neck to a cup.
 
i made a collection cup for my skimmer (4"pvc neck) with RTV and a gallon ice cream tub. BTW-it was chocolate.....very important

-bart
 
Im a fuge Royal Man Myself :) did you build your skimmer Bart? If so got some pics Im looking into giving this a go myself
 
That's pretty impressive! Thanks for sharing this cause this give me a thought when I build the new tank.
 
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