my DIY skimmer

[jlfnjlf]

I am not quite done, but I could not resist posting a few photos. This beast will be running my 80g reef tank.

Based on the following sites I decided to build my own skimmer. The pump is a Gen-X 4100 needle wheel pump with no mods at this time.

http://www.hawkfish.org/snailman/skimmer101.htm

http://randystacye.com/diy_needle_wheel_skimmer.htm

I am gravity feeding the skimmer so the 2 ball valves are to tune the flow through the skimmer. The way I have the output set up I can control the depth of the water in the reaction chamber, and then the output will bypass my refugium. Whatever does not go through the skimmer will go through the refugium.

Here is a diagram.

I'll post progress on the sump as I start work on it.

Thank you to rafael13 for the tank I am using for my sump.

John

 

[Justin74]

Looks real sharp John.

-Justin

 

[WarrenG]

You're going to want the "T" on your outgoing to be just below where you want the top of your water level in the chamber-just below the cone at the top of the chamber, about where the top of the coupling is now.

It looks ready to make lots of foam!

 

[Wee-Reef Master]

Looks pretty cool! Do you have a drain point on the collection cup? Never mind.....just saw it. Great job!

 

[otterpop510]

wow.. looks great, don't think i've seen one with a non-clear body but my skimmer body gets coralline encrusted anyway so it really doesn't make a difference..

 

[jlfnjlf]

Well I ordered a 6 inch clear acrylic tubing, but 6 inches is not always 6 inches. The clear acrylic O.D. was like 1/2 an inch smaller than the PVC so my cone would not work. PVC measures the I.D. and I did not take that into account when I ordered the acrylic. Now I have a 3 foot piece of clear acrylic and a skimmer that will work. I may use the tube for a calcium reactor and/or a phosphate reactor.

 

[rafael13]

hey no problem
that skimmer looks great, good job!!!

 

[jlfnjlf]

Rafael,

I have 3 more of those cups just in case I broke a few. One would have worked for your broken one.

John

 

[rafael13]

I was just thinking about that, because the one I order is back order, 3-4 weeks.

 

[LanDoctor]

jlfnjlf,
Your mailbox is full. I was trying to send you a PM and it errored out.

 

[jlfnjlf]

All cleaned up... For now

 

[WarrenG]

You can order acylic pipe in 6.5" O.D.. I got mine in 4.5" so it works with 4" PVC fittings. Interstate Plastics in Sacramento, or mcmaster.com.

 

[Brian Prestwood]

Looks good.

Almost identical design to the skimmers we (MARS) built last year. Mostly a DAS knockoff.

It looks like the exhaust for the pump is directed toward the bottom of the contact chamber. Is it?

Ours was tangential with a slightly upward direction. This minimized the bubbles in the exhaust.

## Price Source Source Name
1 $ 3.50 HD 4" Rubber FS Cap
2 $ 0.50 HD 3/4" PVC FT - FS "L"
3 $ 0.40 HD 3/4" PVC MT - MT Coupler
4 $ 0.50 HD 3/4" PVC FT - FS "L"
5 $ 0.60 HD 1/2" PVC MT - MT Coupler
6 $ 3.50 HD 1/2" PVC True Union FT - FT
7 $ 0.10 HD 1/2 PVC MT - MS Coupler
8 $ 0.35 HD 1/2 PVC FS - FS "L"
9 $ 0.35 HD 1/2 PVC MS - MS Coupler (Sched 80 Tubing)
10 $ 0.50 HD 1/2 PVC FS - FT - FS "T"
11 $ 0.75 HD 1/2 PVC MT - 1/4 M Barb
12 $ 0.10 HD 1/2 PVC MT - MS Coupler
13 $60 MD MAG Drive 7 Pump
14 $ 0.30 HD 1/2" PVC FT Cap
15 $ 0.60 HD 1/2" PVC MT - MT Coupler
16 $ 3.50 HD 1/2" PVC True Union FT - FT
17 $ 0.10 HD 3/4" PVC Sched 40 Tubing
18 $ 1.50 HD 4" ABS Tubing
18 $ - AES 4" CPVC Tubing (optional, adds $40 if used)
19 $ 0.85 HD 1/2" PVC MT - 3/8 Barb and 1/2" PVC MT Cap (not shown)
20 $ 3.50 HD 3/4" PVC Patch
21 $ 0.10 HD 3/4" PVC Sched 40 Tubing
22 $ 1.00 TAP 1/4" Plexi-Glass (Scrap)
23 $ 10.00 AES 1/4" PVC Needle Valve (PN: NV14)
24 $ 0.50 HD 3/4" PVC FS - FS - FS "T"
25 $ 0.10 HD 3/4" PVC Sched 40 Tubing
26 $ 5.00 HD 4" - 2" ABS FS - FS Reducing Coupler
27 $ 0.50 HD 1/2" PVC MT - 3/8 Barb
28 $ 15.00 AES 4" CPVC Tubing
29 $ 7.00 AES 2" CPVC Tubing
30 $ 0.10 HD 3/4" PVC Sched 40 Tubing
31 $ 1.00 TAP 1/4" Plexi-Glass (Scrap)
32 $ 3.00 HD Scrubbing Pad
33 $ 0.35 HD 1/2 PVC FS - FS "L"
34 $ 0.10 TAP 1/4" Plexi-Glass (Scrap)
$125.25 Subtotal
$ 10.96 Tax
$136.21 Total

 

[Brian Prestwood]

FYI - I don't see the needle valve for your aspirating venturi intake. I have a bunch of the 1/4 from Aquatic Eco. $10 and it is yours. I can bring it to the meeting this Friday.

 

[jlfnjlf]

Cool, I'll take one.

John

 

[Brian Prestwood]

Your PM box is full.