Randy Style PVC Skimmer QUESTIONS!

adnup

adnup

New member
Hey guys,
I've read all of the pvc skimmer threads and decided to make one my self. I was just waiting today for the UPS dude to bring me my pump. I got the skimmer plumbed up and fired it up and all it well with fresh water. I put it on a prop tank and used a power head to feed it and this is what I'm getting:

As soon as the skimmer fills up, the air line also fills with SW and stops sucking air! :(

1. The skimmer is 6" x 24" PVC, drain for cone and BBBY canister for collection cup
2. Gen-X 2400 NW for pump - the upper uni-seal is at the 12" point of the body
3. Gate valve mod on return side

I have never used a recirc skimmer before. What I'm i doing wrong....

I'll go take some pics now to clear up my poor description.

thanks in advance...
 
do I assume your venturi is on the pumps outlet? this would do exactly that.
the venturi needs to be on the inlet side, as close to the pump as possible
over to you randy...
 
42493204_o.jpg


I pretty sure it is. Heres a pic. Photobuckets down so I had to host somewhere else...:(

I need a beer :beer:
 
If I had to take a stab at one thing, I think you made the chamber to tall for the genx 2400 pump. If the pump was larger, you may be o.k.
I just finished a diy myself in a recirc style w/ an Ocean Runner 2700 for my recirc pump, chamber is 6"x about 14.25" pvc. & it is working fine.
If possible, I would make the pump outlet the new inlet, & cut the bottom off a little below that point.
Now, this is just a theory, as I am still learning about skimmers myself. I am just comparing your's to the one Randy built, & the one I built.
Maybe Randy will chime in his thought shortly.
Good luck,
Chris
 
Just so you know the stock GenX venturi is junk when it comes to a recirc pump I had the same problems with my 2400.

What I did was make my own venturi with a piece of threaded pvc and it looked something like this:

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All I did was fill the pcv with epoxy and drill it out to where I needed it I tried a few different size openings and angles when I found the best one I drilled the second one and it has been working perfectly.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9639585#post9639585 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by green814
If I had to take a stab at one thing, I think you made the chamber to tall for the genx 2400 pump. If the pump was larger, you may be o.k.
I just finished a diy myself in a recirc style w/ an Ocean Runner 2700 for my recirc pump, chamber is 6"x about 14.25" pvc. & it is working fine.
If possible, I would make the pump outlet the new inlet, & cut the bottom off a little below that point.
Now, this is just a theory, as I am still learning about skimmers myself. I am just comparing your's to the one Randy built, & the one I built.
Maybe Randy will chime in his thought shortly.
Good luck,
Chris
Click to expand...

Thats what I'm thinking, maybe I'll cut it down


Just so you know the stock GenX venturi is junk when it comes to a recirc pump I had the same problems with my 2400.

What I did was make my own venturi with a piece of threaded pvc and it looked something like this:

Click to expand...

I read that they suck(or dont ;) ) but I figured they would still work
 
I have a 6X17" reaction chamber and couldn't get it to pull air. My output is about 8" below the top and the inlet is a little over 12".

I have read that it is the same venturi for the 4100's and that it works great on those pumps. It just isn't enough restriction for the smaller pump.
 
cougarguy - you said you used epoxy to fill the pvc, can you tell more about where to get it.
Thanks
 
I think it is called PC8 or PC11 I got it at Home Depot and it is a marine grade 2part epoxy. I Found a 6" long threaded pcv nipple and cut it in half and filled both pieces with epoxy let them cure over night and machined them the next day.
 
I LOVE what you did with the acrylic for the stand pipe support! Looks very nice.

I'd bet that since your skimmer is much taller than mine, you could have used a larger pump. Mine could probably use a little larger pump but the 2400 seemed like the only inexpensive pump that was not too big at the time. No mater ... hopefully it's just the crummy venturi.

Did you already glue all of your recirc plumbing together?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9641397#post9641397 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RandyStacyE
I LOVE what you did with the acrylic for the stand pipe support! Looks very nice.
Click to expand...
Thanks - I just made it a tight fit around the body so it stays in place on its own

I'd bet that since your skimmer is much taller than mine, you could have used a larger pump. Mine could probably use a little larger pump but the 2400 seemed like the only inexpensive pump that was not too big at the time. No mater ... hopefully it's just the crummy venturi.
Click to expand...
So you think before I cut down the body I should DIY a venturi?


Did you already glue all of your recirc plumbing together?
Click to expand...
None of the plumbing is glued yet - TG
 
I'd definitely try a different venturi first. It’s been proven the venturi that came with the pump is poor (at least with the 2400). The idea with the epoxy would definitely work to either modify the venturi you have or to make on out of PVC. You sure wouldn’t be able to return the pump once you modified the venturi that’s for sure.
 
Hummmm...I might order a 4100(dont tell my wife). I'll play around with a venturi for now....
 
Alright I'll reach out to you guys again. :D

Hook me up with some links to the best DIY venturi's - please

I'm going to make one tomorrow morning(or two), so I need your help on this one. ;)
 
I don't want to say you shouldn't get the 4100 ... I personally would be a little concerned that it might be too big. The 4100 is rated for 1082 gph. I was thinking more along the lines of the Octopus 3000 NW pump which is rated for 750 gph. I held my tongue in my last post because the 3000 was what I was going to suggest if you wanted to go with a bigger pump.

Then I read this thread:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1078112&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

thorsky is building a very similar size skimmer and already has the Octopus 3000. He was playing with this pump for a while and evidently fears that the 3000 is too big for his 6" skimmer so he decided to make an 8" skimmer instead.

My point is that the Octopus 3000 is supposed to be rated for only 750 gph and the 4100 is rated for much higher.

I would read that thread first before ordering a pump. Maybe ask thorsky what he thinks. I don't want to throw a wrench in the works but if the 3000 is too big then based on the stats the 4100 should be way to big if you know what I mean.

On a side note ... I see everyone's making bigger skimmers than mine and get to use the cooler pumps. I'm jealous that everyone else has the room/clearance. I don't even have an 1/8" to spare :)
 
There's a million and one ways to make a good venturi.

I've noticed that many if not most stick rigid tubing (cut at an angle) into their pipe or elbow just before the inlet. I'd like to know who invented that idea anyway :)

I have a feeling that drilling and tapping threads into the elbow just before the inlet might not be "ideal". I've tried it and it does work great, but I think it would work much better if there were a little more restriction before the barbed fitting. Like this:
recircdone1.jpg.jpg


The epoxy idea does work because you can shape the venturi any way you want. I've done this a few times for smaller pumps, but never invested a great deal of time to perfect the dimensions for any specific pump:
DIYPVCVenturi02.jpg

DIYPVCVenturi06.JPG


Some just drill a hole close to the inlet, insert some rigid tubing, slide a 1/4" ID air line over the tubing and install a valve to control the amount of restriction instead of using a venturi.
 
:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

Everyday I get more confused....lol....

alright
First I'll DIY a venturi (just read all of your Randy)
Second I'll cut down the body
Third I'll try a different pump - I only paid $33 for this GX2400 I'm sure I can use it for something :D

back to the garage!
 
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