Remora Modification
- Thread starter dwiseman
- Start date
I haven't done it to that skimmer (I did it to mine) but tapping threads is not hard to do...
You need to drill a hole and tap threads for it--
http://www.plumbingsupply.com/pipetaps.html
This shows the different sized pipe taps and the size hole they need drilled...don't worry about the hole sizes being larger then the pipe sizes-- the outside (OD) of piping is larger then the indicated size.... 1/4" is a good size for a skimmer drain. You should be able to buy pipe taps locally-- harbor freight might be a good place for this if you have a store near you.
(more info on pipe sizes)
All pipe ODs are the same regardless of piping thickness-- a 1/4" pipe is called this based on the ID of (I think) schedule 80 thickness-- so the ID will be 1/4" but the OD will be almost 1/2"--- thinner wall pipe will have a larger ID but the same OD... thicker will have a smaller ID and the same OD too..
To drill it, just use the indicated drill size... real easy-- just drill it straight.
To tap it, they sell holders for taps but they usually aren't necessary, you can use a crescent wrench to turn it.... Just start threading it in the hole by hand, when it starts cutting the threads, start turning like this....
turn 1/2 turn clockwise, back it 1/4 turn counter clockwise, 1/2 turn cw, 1/4 turn ccw, keep repeating this... backing it off a 1/4 turn will clean the shavings off the tap....
(This is how you tap any threads...bolt, pipe, etc in any material).
Now as mentioned above the remora is not designed for this (unless you buy one with the fitting installed aready) ... unless you keep your cup real high, you will have to cut a slot in the body of the skimmer where the cup sits to allow your fitting to slide up or down--- Remoras or urchins that have these fittings installed already have these slots already cut... you should be able to cut this with a dremel tool and a drywall bit.
You can sort of see the drain fitting slot on the skimmer in the background in this pic... http://www.marinedepot.com/IMD\150\ACRPDB.jpg
more pics here..
http://www.proteinskimmer.com/accessories.htm
You need to drill a hole and tap threads for it--
http://www.plumbingsupply.com/pipetaps.html
This shows the different sized pipe taps and the size hole they need drilled...don't worry about the hole sizes being larger then the pipe sizes-- the outside (OD) of piping is larger then the indicated size.... 1/4" is a good size for a skimmer drain. You should be able to buy pipe taps locally-- harbor freight might be a good place for this if you have a store near you.
(more info on pipe sizes)
All pipe ODs are the same regardless of piping thickness-- a 1/4" pipe is called this based on the ID of (I think) schedule 80 thickness-- so the ID will be 1/4" but the OD will be almost 1/2"--- thinner wall pipe will have a larger ID but the same OD... thicker will have a smaller ID and the same OD too..
To drill it, just use the indicated drill size... real easy-- just drill it straight.
To tap it, they sell holders for taps but they usually aren't necessary, you can use a crescent wrench to turn it.... Just start threading it in the hole by hand, when it starts cutting the threads, start turning like this....
turn 1/2 turn clockwise, back it 1/4 turn counter clockwise, 1/2 turn cw, 1/4 turn ccw, keep repeating this... backing it off a 1/4 turn will clean the shavings off the tap....
(This is how you tap any threads...bolt, pipe, etc in any material).
Now as mentioned above the remora is not designed for this (unless you buy one with the fitting installed aready) ... unless you keep your cup real high, you will have to cut a slot in the body of the skimmer where the cup sits to allow your fitting to slide up or down--- Remoras or urchins that have these fittings installed already have these slots already cut... you should be able to cut this with a dremel tool and a drywall bit.
You can sort of see the drain fitting slot on the skimmer in the background in this pic... http://www.marinedepot.com/IMD\150\ACRPDB.jpg
more pics here..
http://www.proteinskimmer.com/accessories.htm
