Need some suggestions for big skimmer.

[bobafet1]

Also, does anyone have input in regards to my air intake line..the venturi that reeflo sent me only had a hole big enough to fit a 1/2" CPVC tube in it...this is a bit smaller than a 1/2" pvc tube...Im not sure if I should bore the hole to allow a bigger tube or if its just fine the way it is???? Anyone???

 

[hahnmeister]

The ID of 1/2" PVC and 1/2" CPVC is 1/2"... its just that the PVC has a thicker wall. Id leave it... its plenty.

 

[bobafet1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9523396#post9523396 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
The ID of 1/2" PVC and 1/2" CPVC is 1/2"... its just that the PVC has a thicker wall. Id leave it... its plenty.

Thanks Cobra, for the info...I was not looking forward to having to drain the skimmer.
I wish my Mac was working so I can play with iphoto again..I would highly suggest getting some sort of cover or case for your laptop. I barely dropped mine and it killed the computer..I only had it for 4 months..apple won't warranty their stuff if they see the slightest ding on it..

 

[RandyStacyE]

If you back off on the air a bit ... will that allow you to raise the water level a bit? Just curious, not that it's a solution or anything.

Did you install a drain near the base of the skimmer? If you do have to drain it ... sounds like a good opportunity to install a drain if you don't already have one.

 

[bobafet1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9530594#post9530594 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RandyStacyE
If you back off on the air a bit ... will that allow you to raise the water level a bit? Just curious, not that it's a solution or anything.

Did you install a drain near the base of the skimmer? If you do have to drain it ... sounds like a good opportunity to install a drain if you don't already have one.

I did install a drain on the skimmer..If I back off the air the water level does raise a little bit but it sounds as though the pump is having a hard time working against the back pressure.. I guess Im going to have to either install an air pump or cut the skimmer down a foot shorter...good thing I used PVC. I should be able to get away with a big coupling.

Does anyone have an Alita 40 they want to sell or a sweatwater air pump??

 

[RandyStacyE]

Well if it's any consolation ... you could always chop that coupling down to almost nothing, sand the edges round and paint it nice before or after you glue it. It might even look decorative … well sorta.

If you are going to cut the skimmer shorter ... what a PITA ... maybe you can set the skimmer in an empty tote or something so you can test it WITHOUT gluing it. You can always cut it shorter, but it's a lot harder to put it back.

 

[bobafet1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9531959#post9531959 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RandyStacyE
Well if it's any consolation ... you could always chop that coupling down to almost nothing, sand the edges round and paint it nice before or after you glue it. It might even look decorative … well sorta.

If you are going to cut the skimmer shorter ... what a PITA ... maybe you can set the skimmer in an empty tote or something so you can test it WITHOUT gluing it. You can always cut it shorter, but it's a lot harder to put it back.

Yeah, Im still contemplating wether or not to cut it...I just might be better off with the air pump and keep my taller skimmer for contact time. My main goal is energy consumption so Im thinking of just running this thing for 12 hours at a time...it should be big enough to where it doesnt need to run 24/7...I havent skimmed in a month and my nitrates/phosphates are at 0...go figure.

 

[humboldt reefer]

How high is the water level from the centerline of the pump output when it stops pulling air? I'm in the middle of building a similar skimmer and planning on using the orca pump also. Right now the pump output will be 39" to the top of the reaction chamber. But the tube isnt glued yet. I was hoping to get away from using an air pump also.

 

[bobafet1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9556806#post9556806 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by humboldt reefer
How high is the water level from the centerline of the pump output when it stops pulling air? I'm in the middle of building a similar skimmer and planning on using the orca pump also. Right now the pump output will be 39" to the top of the reaction chamber. But the tube isnt glued yet. I was hoping to get away from using an air pump also.

Hey, sorry but I didnt see your post till now...From my experience I would definitely say 39" above the pump output is way too high without using an air pump. The air cut out when the water level was 30" from the pump output. I just cut my skimmer down so that the top of the water level is only 18" from the pump output...All I have to say is this puppy will not stop skimming..this is the most skimate I have ever seen from a skimmer..I am definitely happy with my skimmer now..

 

[humboldt reefer]

NP.Good to hear you got it working better. Thanks for the info I'll just have to break down and buy a pump or trim the tube. How is the turbulance in the main body? Any new pics?

 

[bobafet1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9570533#post9570533 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by humboldt reefer
NP.Good to hear you got it working better. Thanks for the info I'll just have to break down and buy a pump or trim the tube. How is the turbulance in the main body? Any new pics?

The turbulence is there but I don't see it having too much of an effect on the skimmate..I am still planning on adding a diffuser but Ive only got 20 out 300 holes drilled so far..here are some pics..

 

[BlueStag]

Nice DIY skimmer. How much was the total cost to build this monster?

 

[RandyStacyE]

DANG! That's super skimmin. Very cool.

 

[humboldt reefer]

Yeah those diffusors are a PITA to drill by hand. I can make you one if you want pm me. Looks like its working great. Did you end up putting the 6" neck on it?

 

[bobafet1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9583875#post9583875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BlueStag
Nice DIY skimmer. How much was the total cost to build this monster?

Thanks...here is the breakdown for the main body

acrylic dome-$35 www.globalplastics.ca
scrap acrylic cylinders-$40 (2@10" & 2@6")
12" PVC main body-$Free(just ask a water supply house for scrap or damaged pipe)
Black acrylic for flanges$65
Misc plumbing parts(pvc,gate valves,uniseals)-$50

Total for main body-$195
Not bad huh..

Im not sure if reeflo pumps would like me to post the price they sold me the needlewheel for so I wont do so.. I got it very cheap by responding to a post in which they offered the pump at a huge discount for a limited time. All I can say is that I am truley thankfull for their generousity and excellent customer service. I will always use their pumps.

 

[bobafet1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9585817#post9585817 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by humboldt reefer
Yeah those diffusors are a PITA to drill by hand. I can make you one if you want pm me. Looks like its working great. Did you end up putting the 6" neck on it?

thanks for the offer...Im almost done drilling mine though and Im still undecided wether or not to use it..i really appreciate your help..thanks...I ended up using the 6" neck for the first riser section then it tapered into a 4" tube..I used the extra 6" tube to make a wetneck section for the collection cup..basically the 4" tube is surrounded by the 6"...then I routed the top of the tubes so that it had a clean rounded finish..there is a pic of it earlier in the thread..also, I built up the base of the collection cup where the first 6" riser meets the 4" so that I can rout the inside area at an angle so that there is a smooth transition from 6"-4"..I hope this makes sense..if not i can take a pic.

 

[bobafet1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9584987#post9584987 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RandyStacyE
DANG! That's super skimmin. Very cool.

thanks..my water is looking very clean right now..im glad i didnt drop a couple $G's on a deltec..(no offense to deltec users, Im sure your skimmer works just fine)

 

[humboldt reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9590052#post9590052 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bobafet1
thanks for the offer...Im almost done drilling mine though and Im still undecided wether or not to use it..i really appreciate your help..thanks...I ended up using the 6" neck for the first riser section then it tapered into a 4" tube..I used the extra 6" tube to make a wetneck section for the collection cup..basically the 4" tube is surrounded by the 6"...then I routed the top of the tubes so that it had a clean rounded finish..there is a pic of it earlier in the thread..also, I built up the base of the collection cup where the first 6" riser meets the 4" so that I can rout the inside area at an angle so that there is a smooth transition from 6"-4"..I hope this makes sense..if not i can take a pic.

Not a problem. I've allready got programs written and planned to make a few more to test for my self.
Oh ok in the last pictures the neck looked larger than 4" but I wasnt looking in the collection cup. Is the foam pretty stable? How hard is it to adjust?

 

[hahnmeister]

I might need help. That 12" diameter skimmer needs a diffuser and a flange for the neck and lid (cone shaped for the neck).

 

[bobafet1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9594102#post9594102 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by humboldt reefer
Not a problem. I've allready got programs written and planned to make a few more to test for my self.
Oh ok in the last pictures the neck looked larger than 4" but I wasnt looking in the collection cup. Is the foam pretty stable? How hard is it to adjust?

so far the foam has been pretty stable..most of my turbulence is in the dome area and so I set the water level to the very bottom of the first 6" riser...the turbulence doesnt seem to affect it when its that high..in regards to adjusting, are you talking about the wetneck?? If so, I haven't actually started it yet. I was so excited to plug this baby in that I put the wetneck idea aside. I need to redrill smaller holes or make a groove like hahnmeister had previously mentioned. I was planning on doing that today.