Tired of wondering what Nano Skimmer to buy?

[Inflames]

This is a carry over from my thread on nano-reef.com
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=116406&hl=

Ah the joys of pvc. I never realized their potential until i started seeing threads about cheap pvc skimmers. I always thought to myself "these things really are cheap and probably dont work". I also saw many threads asking about "what nano skimmer to buy" and i wondered why people dont make their own. After all they're stupidly simple to make.

So i present my nanoskimmer. This skimmer is 100% pvc and the total cost is below $20 (without the pump). I made this skimmer with the average reefer in mind. I have a whole toolbox full of goodies like dremels and clamps, hole saws, drills and all that, but i realize that not everyone has these things to work with. Let alone the know-how and time to make their own skimmer. After you have all the parts this skimmer should take no more than a half hour to assemble and probably a few hours to cure. The pump is a maxi jet 900 that i've modified with a bioball for a needlewheel impeller that makes more micro bubbles. You dont have to do that, you can just run an airline near the impeller and have the same effect. But if you want modified bioballs that you just add onto the impeller let me know and i can send some.

Ok so its kinda late and im tired so im just gona shoot from the hip here with instructions until tomorrow when i'll edit it to clarify any questions.

This is the parts that you'll need for the skimmer. The skimmer was designed around 1 1/4" pvc. You can scale this though up to probably a full 2" body skimmer and have no problems with assembly or performance.

You will also need about 1" of clear 1/2" tubing to connect the powerhead to the skimmer. I'll edit this photo tomorrow and label all the parts you need.

Here are the individual pieces you'll need for the collection cup

When cutting the length just size up a coupling against your 1 1/4" pipe and cut it just shy of the full length of the coupling to make a perfect fit.

 

[Inflames]

We have to T sections. one is a threaded 1 1/4" with a 1/2" threaded inlet that you'll use for the nozzle from the pump. The second T part is for the water thats been skimmed to exit. Assemble these with your couplings like in this picture. You should have 2 couplings on top, the threaded T connect and then the large 1 1/4 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4 T connection.

Ok, after that we need to cap the bottom of the skimmer so water flows out the side. Here are the individual pieces for the plug.

Push the smaller 3/4" plug into the back of the 1 1/4" bushing like so..

You should end up with something like this...

Pick up some of this glue to use on a few parts if you can. Silicon or super glue should suffice as well.

Put some glue on the top of the plug where its flush and then push it into the bottom of the skimmer.

 

[Inflames]

Now we will assemble the skimmer cup and riser. Here's the parts needed for the riser.

Do the same thing you did with the plug and add some glue around the edge of the plug and push it through the bushing to make the riser pipe.

Here we have the riser and collection cup which is a 2" threaded male adapter.

This is what it should look like when you put the riser into the cup. Remember to glue it up on the edges too and inside the cup as well.

Add glue on this lip where my thumb is and push it in.

Almost done! This is your nozzle that you just screw into the side of the skimmer. You can use teflon tape on the threads if you want to but i just screwed mine in since this is the sump version but a HOB one i would use teflon tape.

Just add in your pump with clear hosing after everything is cured and you'll be set. You'll want to adjust the water outflow with a bushing that tapers to probably 3/4". I havent had time yet to really test it and see what works best but usually 1/2" in means 3/4" outflow to keep the water level even.


And there it is! In all its glory. The 100% pvc dirt cheap nano skimmer!

 

[SJGreene]

Pics aren't showing.

 

[Inflames]

i thought so. Gona have to upload them

 

[jlt23]

I can see them.