New Skimmer Stand needed

[NewSchool04]

I built a stand for my new skimmer out of eggcrate and cut PVC pieces for legs. The stand really isn't working well and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on an easy build or could build one for me. Nothing fancy, just needs to be sturdy!

 

[Fitz308]

I have some poly carbonate you could use. Should be much sturdier than the egg crate. Hole saw to blow open some holes, and set it on some PVC risers if required. Could make stiffeners.

No wories on the fab. We can do it quick here, West Dundee, 60118.

Second thought in tank or out. If out we could do something with Aluminum Extrusions.

Fitz.

 

[NewSchool04]

It would be in tank. Dimensions are 11.5" x 14" x 2.5"H. The problems I'm running into are vibration and getting it level. I can't seem to cut the legs straight enough with the tools I have. So the eggcrate bends, skimmer is off balance and I'm getting vibration from the newer more powerful pump.

Would this be difficult for me to put together? I appreciate the help on this.

 

[badazztealcobra]

Pat, I have some 1/4" acrylic sheets that might work to make something out of..... just cut it to like 11.5" X 20", and then heat up and bend 2.5" on each end and make a little "U" and put it ontop of that ?!?!?

Or I have some weldon #4 if you want to just try your hand at cutting and welding together acrylic......

 

[NewSchool04]

That's a great offer but I have no way to heat and put a U on the acrylic and I have no idea what weldon #4 is besides reading all these DIY threads!

You've been to my place! I'm a city guy!

 

[badazztealcobra]

Let me see if I cant whip something together for you.....

Are you going to be at the swap on the 17th ???

I can probably pull it off if I do it at work, just use a heat gun and see where it takes me.... Whats the worst that can happen, 3rd degree burns ?!?!? PFFFT. :lol:

 

[NewSchool04]

I shouldn't say city guy, there are a ton of people in the city good with these types of things. I'm just not one of them.

I was so proud of my P.O.S. skimmer stand, looking at the wife like I was a cave man bringing home the bacon until I placed the new skimmer with 3 gallons of water on it and it folded like a bad poker hand.

 

[badazztealcobra]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11146953#post11146953 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NewSchool04
I was so proud of my P.O.S. skimmer stand, looking at the wife like I was a cave man bringing home the bacon until I placed the new skimmer with 3 gallons of water on it and it folded like a bad poker hand.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I'll see what I can throw together..... Are those dimensions prefect for it, or can it be a hair smaller/larger ??

 

[NewSchool04]

Ha! You burning yourself on making me a stupid 2" stand is par for the course in this hobby! The things we do.

I think I'm gonna make it to the swap but not sure yet. I have one thing hanging over me and the family like a dark cloud that I'm hoping for f's sake will blow over and let me do what I like to do!

 

[NewSchool04]

I think 11.5" x 13.5" x 2.5"(H) would be best. The height is my main concern. I'm just fitting in the stand with the 0" clearance that ER has on their skimmers.

Of course I didn't take into acount the massive skimmer cup so I have to move my sump to be able to get the cup out to clean. I'm a bonehead.

 

[Red Sea Purple Tang]

Are you looking for a shelf or pedestal?

 

[NewSchool04]

I'm not exactly sure on what your asking Red Sea but I think a pedestal. Just a stand with 4 legs and possibly one in the middle depending on what it's built out of.

 

[dohc97]

Pat, your an adopted mexican you are supposed to have diy skills built in. I would say make one out of some gorditas on top of tequila bottles?

seriously though, i would think an eggcrate stand would work fine if you put more than 4 legs on it. How about a glass stand built out of scraps? Or does it have to be plastic?

 

[Red Sea Purple Tang]

I'm not exactly sure on what your asking Red Sea

My sump currently has two shelves over the top to have the current filtration equipment. This was due to keeping the sump clean looking.

I'm picking up a larger skimmer that has to be IN the sump, so I'm going to ditch the shelves and am going to put my CA RX and Zeo RX on the pedestals below. The dog didn't want to get off the couch! They'll stand approx. 13" which worked great for my sump water level. Hope that helps.

 

[Doubledown]

Pat - clear out your pms. I tried to respond to you pm but your box was full.

Here is what I did:

I used eggcrate (light diffuser). For the RS250 I made a box out of it (had to raise the skimmer 3" due to the depth of my sump). For the RS180 I used just one layer.

I made "feet" using Coral Cradles and rubber suction cups. I glued the suction cups (I had the ones for Seios sitting around - they have a flat head to them) to the top of the Coral Cradle so that the legs on the CC were opposite of the suction cup. The legs of the CC fit perfectly in the eggcrate and hold it in place. Benefits to this method are; easy to make, cheap and the rubber suction cups reduce vibration transfer from the skimmer to the sump (thus reducing noise caused by resonation).

Let me know if you need a better description.

 

[NewSchool04]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11147680#post11147680 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dohc97
Pat, your an adopted mexican you are supposed to have diy skills built in. I would say make one out of some gorditas on top of tequila bottles?

seriously though, i would think an eggcrate stand would work fine if you put more than 4 legs on it. How about a glass stand built out of scraps? Or does it have to be plastic?

I've got 7 legs on this thing and it's still wobbly like a drunk walking the streets of Tiujana!

I am Mexican in spirit but not skill I think.

 

[NewSchool04]

I get it now Red Sea! That sump looks great, very organized.

What are coral cradles Chris?

Do you just stack the eggcrate to get the height that you need, that makes sense but seems like it would rattle a bunch.