Terminator 2 skimmer plumbing size?

[djyox]

So I figured I'd be Mr. Cheap and bought a $20 Terminator 2 off eBay with no pump, then also picked up a quiet one 4000 (900gph) pump for its main.

Idea was to go to home depot and pick up some sch80 or 40 and replace the parts so I could mate the quiet one in the original place as the OEM. Well, not having much luck as the threads don't match up as I'm assuming that d&d used European plumbing or something? The quiet one has the same sized threads if that helps.

I know the easiest answer would be to force on some sch40 threads and mate to the pump with some flex tubing, but if at all possible I'd like to get it to look original.


Anyone have any insight on this?


Also, please note I know most opinions are they don't like this skimmer and that I should get a different one, etc... I understand those view points, but I'd like to see this thing up and running before I pull the plug and scrap it.

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[ericarenee]

a mag drive 9.5 will line up and work perfectly with that piece of plastic they call a skimmer.....

You can get most pumps to work easily.. But the skimmer has a HUGE FLAW... IT gets air locked at least 3-5 times a day and runs the pump dry......

I have one that i bought just to see how it works since the guy selling them is a few miles from me......

 

[djyox]

a mag drive 9.5 will line up and work perfectly with that piece of plastic they call a skimmer.....

You can get most pumps to work easily.. But the skimmer has a HUGE FLAW... IT gets air locked at least 3-5 times a day and runs the pump dry......

I have one that i bought just to see how it works since the guy selling them is a few miles from me......

Is there a way to help with the air locking issue? Bigger pump than a maxijet 1200 maybe?

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[ericarenee]

Is there a way to help with the air locking issue? Bigger pump than a maxijet 1200 maybe?

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Not without Totally reworking how the skimmer is made.

You have to shut the thing down at least every other day to clean that so called cone cup thing or it will not work.. when you restart it you have to do so with that inter tube out let it fill up then put that in being sure its full of water..sometimes the pump will start back sometimes it will not.when it does not you have to remove the pump union fill the skimmer until no air is trapped inside then try to start again..

if you could rework the re-circulation pump to where the pump sit on the table next to the skimmer it will solve the issue ...

STUPID DESIGN.. OHH and the venturi valve that it comes with is NO Where near big enough..The one i bought it sitting under a shelf waiting to be cannibalized into a media reactor for carbon.

Sorry its just my opinion owning the thing.

 

[djyox]

Not without Totally reworking how the skimmer is made.

You have to shut the thing down at least every other day to clean that so called cone cup thing or it will not work.. when you restart it you have to do so with that inter tube out let it fill up then put that in being sure its full of water..sometimes the pump will start back sometimes it will not.when it does not you have to remove the pump union fill the skimmer until no air is trapped inside then try to start again..

if you could rework the re-circulation pump to where the pump sit on the table next to the skimmer it will solve the issue ...

STUPID DESIGN.. OHH and the venturi valve that it comes with is NO Where near big enough..The one i bought it sitting under a shelf waiting to be cannibalized into a media reactor for carbon.

Sorry its just my opinion owning the thing.

I did just order a mag 9.5 for it... Some people reported success using it while others simply complained about leaks, most complaints were hearsay that they read on a forum.

I appreciate you answering my questions, and I obviously cannot argue with your experience with the thing. I just feel like I'm on the home stretch to find out myself how it is or if it goes onto the forums classifieds.

In all honesty, it's almost too big to fit under my tank in the stand. I may just see it working and huck it for a smaller replacement, before ever putting into commission. The idea of it seems great, I was hoping that I might get some luck out of it....

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[ericarenee]

here it is running.. I replaced the drain system with Sink drain pipe and a Ball valve to stop the constant burping. If you look close at the image behind the oval skim collection jug you can see the venturi valve i added and the pump was sitting on the shelf.... This was the modification to get it to stop air locking. but still it did not resolve the need to constantly clean that cone thing. once it gets about ad dirty as it is in the image above it would stop producing foam... Like i said i just got it because i though the cone thing was unique and wanted to try it... I already had the mag 9 pump ...


Good Luck

 

[djyox]

here it is running.. I replaced the drain system with Sink drain pipe and a Ball valve to stop the constant burping. If you look close at the image behind the oval skim collection jug you can see the venturi valve i added and the pump was sitting on the shelf.... This was the modification to get it to stop air locking. but still it did not resolve the need to constantly clean that cone thing. once it gets about ad dirty as it is in the image above it would stop producing foam... Like i said i just got it because i though the cone thing was unique and wanted to try it... I already had the mag 9 pump ...


Good Luck

I also figured I could use a mag 9 somewhere so no harm in that investment. I also plan to use in sump so hopefully that also will help.

Thank you for the luck! I hope I get to be one of the ones who say they like it. If not, I don't feel I'm too invested to have it go for sale or sit on a shelf... Or maybe not even use it at all once it's working... I just have to finish it first then I'll decide.

Your info will at least bring me the satisfaction of seeing it all together no matter how long or short lived that is, so thank you for that!

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[ericarenee]

Your welcome as i said and can clearly see they do WORK... But at very least weekly cleaning will be required and two high volume pumps..

Mine is ran off manifold from my return pump. you can see the valve on the wall that is then reduced to 1/2 pvc that is what supplies water from sump to skimmer..

I new have a internal Skimz sm201 skimmer

My sump has been reconfigured since but its about the same concept...