Searching for skimmer diy

[greenstarman]

Should have added this to the other post...
Is there any threads around for a Inexpensive DIY Skimmer. Something around $150-$200?

 

[RandyStacyE]

http://randystacye.com/diy_needle_wheel_skimmer.htm

 

[Stipe]

randyStacyE, on yourwebsite you have a picture of the skimmer in your above link. I am completeley new to pump driven skimmrers (I have always had airstone driven skimmers).

As you can see this is the endproduct of the picture from youwebsite, http://randystacye.com/diy_needle_wheel_skimmer.htm.

Im a noobie and need some help. What is that piece that i circled in red for? Im sure its the reutrn pipe. If so what is the are circled in green for? Is it an open pipe or not, if so why?

Also what pushes what through the return?, does that elbow joint circled in blue have to be below the water line of the skimmer?

 

[disbjohn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7763603#post7763603 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Stipe
randyStacyE, on yourwebsite you have a picture of the skimmer in your above link. I am completeley new to pump driven skimmrers (I have always had airstone driven skimmers).

As you can see this is the endproduct of the picture from youwebsite, http://randystacye.com/diy_needle_wheel_skimmer.htm.

Im a noobie and need some help. What is that piece that i circled in red for? Im sure its the reutrn pipe. If so what is the are circled in green for? Is it an open pipe or not, if so why?

Also what pushes what through the return?, does that elbow joint circled in blue have to be below the water line of the skimmer?

It looks like a pipe cap used to help silence the water flow. There is usually a small hole in the cap to still let the air vent out.

 

[RandyStacyE]

That is an adjustable standpipe for the output of the skimmer. The “water in” can be fed from a pump, an overflow or even a needle wheel pump. On top of the standpipe there is a cap. This cap has a small hole drilled in the top to break a siphon.

If you check Euro-Reefs website www.euro-reef.com you can see that most of their skimmers have an adjustable standpipe with a sponge on the top. I’m sure that could make some noise and salt spray.

 

[greenstarman]

Randy, How loud is that Gen X2400? Also since you can't see through the PVC do you have problems adjusting the water level internally?

Thanks, and nice design.

 

[RandyStacyE]

The GenX isn’t so bad. I’ve heard louder pumps. The venture hose can make a gurgling sound come from the venture hose, but I used a silencer. It’s shown at the bottom of this page:
http://randystacye.com/diy_venturi.htm

It isn’t hard to adjust the water level at all. The pipe inside the collection cup is clear so you can see where the top of the frothy foam is. That’s all that really matters. I was going to cut out a large portion of the skimmer body and heat shape a piece of acrylic to attach to it, but it wasn’t worth it.

 

[Stipe]

So thats where the water exits right?, and that elbow joint msut be belwo the water line of the skimmer to form a natural gravity over flow?

 

[RandyStacyE]

No actually the height of the elbow determines the height of the water inside of the skimmer. Yes a natural gravity overflow does occur there since no siphon can be created since the hole is drilled on the top of the cap.