RandyStacyE
New member
Ahhh even smaller 
Recirc pump for 6" Skimmer
- Thread starter thorsky
- Start date
thorsky
New member
Ok, I'm done playing with the HD "mesh". I just went through two mesh wheels trying to tune a venturi. The scrubby pad mesh I was using just can't handle the stop/start torque on the pump. Both a zip tie mod, which was quick and easy, and a fishing line mod, which was much more time and labor intensive. Argh!
I'll try to get some Enka this week and resume testing.
I'll try to get some Enka this week and resume testing.
thorsky
New member
Allrightythen!!! I think I have my mesh supplies all straightened out! Updates to follow.
2 yards of Enka PF4
Gutter Guard
These are some bits I came across at my local hardware store. We're talking one of those old country style stores with aisles you can barely fit down. He's got some cool stuff in there. The bits may or may not last but I figured for the price I can't go wrong.
2 yards of Enka PF4
Gutter Guard
These are some bits I came across at my local hardware store. We're talking one of those old country style stores with aisles you can barely fit down. He's got some cool stuff in there. The bits may or may not last but I figured for the price I can't go wrong.
RandyStacyE
New member
That's enough mesh to last several lifetimes!
thorsky
New member
Ok, 2 layers of PF4 and a custom venturi using 3/8" poly line it pulling a pretty steady 30 SCFH. If I play with the venturi restriction a bit I get up to 33 so there is room to play.
I am also still using an impeller with two sets of needles. If I remove one I can get another layer of PF4 on and possibly pull more.
Right now the only issue I am seeing is the pump doesn't start up right away. It "click-clacks" for lack of a better term. Seems if I restrict the venturi or output a bit it starts right up so I'm confident that can be resolved.
I'll see if I can grab a quick vid of this thing in action before I finish for the night.
I am also still using an impeller with two sets of needles. If I remove one I can get another layer of PF4 on and possibly pull more.
Right now the only issue I am seeing is the pump doesn't start up right away. It "click-clacks" for lack of a better term. Seems if I restrict the venturi or output a bit it starts right up so I'm confident that can be resolved.
I'll see if I can grab a quick vid of this thing in action before I finish for the night.
RandyStacyE
New member
thorsky if you would, unplug the pump, plug it back in and see if it fires up. If it doesn't fire up and "click-clacks" then blow in the air line. My GenX-1500 does something like that and when you blow into the hose it fires right up ... strange.
Does it do the "click-clacks" only after the mesh mod? My GenX-1500 does that even with the stock NW (I haven't mesh modded it yet).
Does it do the "click-clacks" only after the mesh mod? My GenX-1500 does that even with the stock NW (I haven't mesh modded it yet).
thorsky
New member
Randy, with the venturi I was using I tried unplugging then plugging back in and got the click-clack. Blowing into the venturi hose got it going but it took a while. The quickest fix was to restrict the inflow a bit and it would kick right in.
Happy to say that issue seems to be resolved! I'll post some new numbers, pics and a vid in a bit.
Happy to say that issue seems to be resolved! I'll post some new numbers, pics and a vid in a bit.
thorsky
New member
As promised...
With the new venturi, I'm now pulling 35SCFH+ at about 12" depth. The pump starts without problem and runs nearly silent. This is still with two layers of mesh.
Here's a quick vid showing the meter.
As you can see toward the end, this thing is moving a ton of water. That concerns me a bit but I don't think it will be a big issue in an 8" skimmer.
This is the new venturi. It's a work in progress, but I'm confident there should be no further restriction. If anything, I may want to open it up a bit and I definitely need to smooth it out.
With the new venturi, I'm now pulling 35SCFH+ at about 12" depth. The pump starts without problem and runs nearly silent. This is still with two layers of mesh.
Here's a quick vid showing the meter.
As you can see toward the end, this thing is moving a ton of water. That concerns me a bit but I don't think it will be a big issue in an 8" skimmer.
This is the new venturi. It's a work in progress, but I'm confident there should be no further restriction. If anything, I may want to open it up a bit and I definitely need to smooth it out.
drauka99
Member
Hey Thorsky, I dumpster dived and picked up 2 hunks of 8" thick wall pvc (.25 thickness) both end up being around 20" once I get them shaved off. I am thinking about building a skimmer like the one you seem to be planning. my thoughts are to use the 3000 for a feed pump then recirc with the moded powerhead hans has been working on. Your thoughts?
Keep in mind I have 2 hunks of this stuff almost the exact same size so I can possible build 2 of these monsters
Keep in mind I have 2 hunks of this stuff almost the exact same size so I can possible build 2 of these monsters
JCTewks
In Memoriam
drauka99....i think you will have way too much air if you are going to run it that way on an 8" skimmer body. I may be wrong, but i think 45SCFH is about all an 8" skimmer with a 3.5" neck will handle. you could try a bigger neck, but i'm not sure where that would take you. maybe someone with some actual numbers can chime in.
thorsky....did you get your tube yet? looking good so far.
thorsky....did you get your tube yet? looking good so far.
RandyStacyE
New member
So Thorsky ... you don't think that a smaller ID venturi would draw more air as a result?
I was always meaning to start out with a solid rod and keep drilling it out/shaping it to see what seemed to work out best, but just one problem ... I don't have an air meter yet
I've always used an in-sump skimmer (so being 100% waterproof is not critical) my though was to drill a hole in the top of the venturi and permanently glue in an appropriate ID tube that I could just stick an air hose into that. Basically the tube would act as a 'slip coupling' with no restriction throughout the entire air line.
Different ID air lines might be worth trying to, but that means a few venturis need built for R&D. It can get crazy because what if a larger dia air line needed a smaller ID venturi (or vice versa)? Could get time consuming.
I was always meaning to start out with a solid rod and keep drilling it out/shaping it to see what seemed to work out best, but just one problem ... I don't have an air meter yet
I've always used an in-sump skimmer (so being 100% waterproof is not critical) my though was to drill a hole in the top of the venturi and permanently glue in an appropriate ID tube that I could just stick an air hose into that. Basically the tube would act as a 'slip coupling' with no restriction throughout the entire air line.
Different ID air lines might be worth trying to, but that means a few venturis need built for R&D. It can get crazy because what if a larger dia air line needed a smaller ID venturi (or vice versa)? Could get time consuming.
RandyStacyE
New member
Lol ... I wish I had the time. Between the kids (2-1/2 yr old twins), the 'honey do list' and work ... kinda leaves little time left over.
I've got a non-recirc venturi and a recirc venturi that could use some tweeking. I may give it a try soon, but I can't promise anything
Since wer're on the topic of 'dumpster diving' I went to an auction this past weekend. For $25.00 I won 2 boxes filled with taps! National Pipe Taps, bolt taps and dies, sets of 'easy outs', tap removers and all kinds of misc bits. LUCKY ME!
I've got a non-recirc venturi and a recirc venturi that could use some tweeking. I may give it a try soon, but I can't promise anything
Since wer're on the topic of 'dumpster diving'
I went to an auction this past weekend. For $25.00 I won 2 boxes filled with taps! National Pipe Taps, bolt taps and dies, sets of 'easy outs', tap removers and all kinds of misc bits. LUCKY ME!
thorsky
New member
drauka, are you saying you want to use the OTP3000 for a feed? As in non needlewheel? Or are you gonna use the needlewheel and feed it with air/water as well as config a recirc pump? Which "Han pump" are you refering to?
Randy, I've tried the venturi in the pics above, as well as the same thing without the 3/4" pipe slid in. I actually got a bit more air depending on how I positioned the air tubing, but it was inconsistent. I would like to try a few more designs before I decide which one I like best, but for now it seems like anything smaller is choking the pump.
Randy, I've tried the venturi in the pics above, as well as the same thing without the 3/4" pipe slid in. I actually got a bit more air depending on how I positioned the air tubing, but it was inconsistent. I would like to try a few more designs before I decide which one I like best, but for now it seems like anything smaller is choking the pump.
drauka99
Member
Here is his thread - he is pulloing 12-15 schfm from it and has modded some more but has been working on modding another pump
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=955274&perpage=25&pagenumber=6
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=955274&perpage=25&pagenumber=6
thorsky
New member
JC, I have the 8" tubing. It's a thing of beauty. I also have 4", 3.5" and 2" to play with for the neck.
Today I ordered some black acrylic sheet, a bunch of o-ring material and all the nylon nuts and bolts I could ever need.
Yesterday I picked up a nice new router table, a circle jig for cutting the flanges and some nice new bits. I should be able to get some work done this weekend. I have an OTP2000 on the way so I will probably build a quick 6" skimmer to test some of my ideas. That way if I mess up I don't ruin a piece of 8" cast.
I also have 4", 3.5" and 2" to play with for the neck.Today I ordered some black acrylic sheet, a bunch of o-ring material and all the nylon nuts and bolts I could ever need.
Yesterday I picked up a nice new router table, a circle jig for cutting the flanges and some nice new bits. I should be able to get some work done this weekend. I have an OTP2000 on the way so I will probably build a quick 6" skimmer to test some of my ideas. That way if I mess up I don't ruin a piece of 8" cast.
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