OK! Enough chat...Starting a 1000g+ Reef
- Thread starter jnarowe
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jnarowe
New member
16 inches
16 inches
So the booster pump still has not shown up!
Below I have a picture of some riser tube & collection cup ideas and I am interested int any feedback I can get. I am working with 3/8" acrylic sheet.
Option A is a classic neck and cup but a bit difficult to build. Option B is the easiest to build and combines the riser and the collection cup into one unit, and Option C is a modified option A that is slightly easier to build.
I am ineterested in feedback from people who understand skimmer design & construction and particularly opinions about whether Option B is a viable design. I think it might work well, but I am not sure about the abscence of the riser tube and the affect that would have on collecting skimmate.
16 inches
So the booster pump still has not shown up!
Below I have a picture of some riser tube & collection cup ideas and I am interested int any feedback I can get. I am working with 3/8" acrylic sheet.
Option A is a classic neck and cup but a bit difficult to build. Option B is the easiest to build and combines the riser and the collection cup into one unit, and Option C is a modified option A that is slightly easier to build.
I am ineterested in feedback from people who understand skimmer design & construction and particularly opinions about whether Option B is a viable design. I think it might work well, but I am not sure about the abscence of the riser tube and the affect that would have on collecting skimmate.
Travis
10 and over club
Wow, I can't believe you haven't gotten that booster pump yet. How long ago did you order it?
Those are some interesting skimmer designs. I see you are thinking outside the box. I really don't know that much about skimmer neck design but I am thinking that A would be the best one. I see the new Tunze DOC skimmers incorporate a neck similar to B. I'm guessing that C is not going to be much more efficient than B but would require more work to build.
Those are some interesting skimmer designs. I see you are thinking outside the box. I really don't know that much about skimmer neck design but I am thinking that A would be the best one. I see the new Tunze DOC skimmers incorporate a neck similar to B. I'm guessing that C is not going to be much more efficient than B but would require more work to build.
tinygiants
New member
Option A. Classic tried and true.
As for buildability, it would not be that hard. Cut your trapazoids for 2 opposite sides. Then angle them in and put on the solid faces to tie them together. Use a trim router to cut them back to flush. A few passes over the jointer, and the bottom edge will be trued up. Heck, the bottom could be precut before you begin.
Dale
As for buildability, it would not be that hard. Cut your trapazoids for 2 opposite sides. Then angle them in and put on the solid faces to tie them together. Use a trim router to cut them back to flush. A few passes over the jointer, and the bottom edge will be trued up. Heck, the bottom could be precut before you begin.
Dale
jnarowe
New member
Hey Dale, glad you checked in! I hear you on the trapezoids but getting the bottom edges to be flat and true to the flange is something I am not sure how to do. I don't have a jointer either.
I have the first flange built and I sanded the body edges to about as flat as I could get and then glued the flange piece dwon. Once it had dried, I routed out the center flush with the sides fo the body. Then I clamped on the second piece, drilled it for 1/4" screws, and fastened it down. Then I routed it inside and out while moving the screws around to keep it in position.
That's not so hard, but getting the riser to match the flange is a whole different thing. I thought about pre-cutting the bottom edges at 22 degrees on the table saw, but that may be tough to do on a beveled edge because the acrylic likes to shatter too easily. What do you think?
I have the first flange built and I sanded the body edges to about as flat as I could get and then glued the flange piece dwon. Once it had dried, I routed out the center flush with the sides fo the body. Then I clamped on the second piece, drilled it for 1/4" screws, and fastened it down. Then I routed it inside and out while moving the screws around to keep it in position.
That's not so hard, but getting the riser to match the flange is a whole different thing. I thought about pre-cutting the bottom edges at 22 degrees on the table saw, but that may be tough to do on a beveled edge because the acrylic likes to shatter too easily. What do you think?
melev
Well-known member
If you'll check Weatherson's thread about 2 or 3 months ago, you'll see how he made a frame that was bolted together with acrylic in the center. He heated this in the oven for a duration, then put something heavy on it. The weight stretched the acrylic downward through the frame's hole, and once it cooled he cut it to size. It is part of his kalk reactor.
tinygiants
New member
Molds work, but they may leave you with rolls in the flange piece. It is easier to attach the transition to a known flat peice.
With a table saw and a zero clearance plate, you can cut without chipping. Just pick your angles and rip to size.
When I have a weekend off, bring the acrylic over and we can whip it out in an hour or two.
Dale
With a table saw and a zero clearance plate, you can cut without chipping. Just pick your angles and rip to size.
When I have a weekend off, bring the acrylic over and we can whip it out in an hour or two.
Dale
jnarowe
New member
melev That's interesting because I couldn't find anything on his web site that he had formed that way. I'll check the thread and see if I can find it.
Dale, I'll try making it in the next day or two, and if I have trouble I'll get together with you. You don't like my Riser B idea?? I thought it was kind of cool and incorporated weatherson's lower edge design to get the foam to fall off without collapsing back on itself. I don't know if I explained that well enough but on his site there is a section about his skimmer and in photos 25 and 26 there is a picture of the collection cup.
Dale, I'll try making it in the next day or two, and if I have trouble I'll get together with you. You don't like my Riser B idea?? I thought it was kind of cool and incorporated weatherson's lower edge design to get the foam to fall off without collapsing back on itself. I don't know if I explained that well enough but on his site there is a section about his skimmer and in photos 25 and 26 there is a picture of the collection cup.
tinygiants
New member
I am a symetrical person. I prefer A.
Will it function? Probably. Your little skimmer works on this principal. I am not sure I believe it to be the best set up, but it is worth a try. It would not be DIY if you only do it once and at a savings over buying in the first place.
DIY = takes longer, cost more = more fun, new tools.
Dale
Will it function? Probably. Your little skimmer works on this principal. I am not sure I believe it to be the best set up, but it is worth a try. It would not be DIY if you only do it once and at a savings over buying in the first place.
DIY = takes longer, cost more = more fun, new tools.
Dale
jnarowe
New member
OK I did see that but didn't make the connection. That is a strange skimmer BTW and I have a problem understanding how it can process a foam head when the "end of the line" is very restricted like that. Essentially there is no collection cup. The foam goes straight from the riser into a discharge tube and I would think that the foam would break down at the entrance to the tube.
Of course, it is a Tunze, so they must have it all worked out right?
Of course, it is a Tunze, so they must have it all worked out right?
melev
Well-known member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6885753#post6885753 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hop
It's a matter of fashion before function! They are obviosuly attempting to cater to the industrial, artsey set ups
Strap it to your back, and you're ready for your next SCUBA dive.
jnarowe
New member
:lol: Somehow I would bet SCUBA gear would be less expensive than a Tunze skimmer!
Get serious guys! I have to decide which one I am going to do and I am really leaning toward Riser B for experimental reasons as well as to p-i-s-s off Dale.
I want to start it Monday since I only have a week or two left of tank filling.
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