New Simpler Geoff Skimmer.

[Geoff]

here is a pic of a new simpler to make and higher capacity skimmer. hopefully i can come up with a parts list and instructions. there is only one mod to a part that needs to be done. everything else is straight off the HD/Lowe's shelves. there is a way to make this also without any part mods, but it may a touch less efficient. i am still trying to come up with a collection cup that is as simple to make, so any ideas would be great.

so far this is able to handle a full running T2 on a venturi. it can prolly handle a T3 on a venturi just as easily. the water height valve is about halfway closed.

not near as pretty as wanareef's.

G~

[icebear]

Can't wait for the parts list

about how much do you think the bits all cost?

[Geoff]

about $60 not including the Venturi.

G~

[yardboy]

Geoff, I've got two questions.

1) Did you do away with the inner updraft tube from your original design (I thought that was a very good idea and completely eliminates bubbles from the outlet)
2) You said you had trouble with the closet flanges leaking. Why, they glue up just like a cap and I've had no truble with mine. Was the leak at the glue joint or some other place? I noticed several different types at HD the other dayt, and wondered if I'd used a different type than you. Also, a 4" slip cap is about the same as the quick cap, why not just use the regular slip cap?

[yardboy]

Wonder why your new design doesn't have the visual appeal to me as the original? (Not saying its ugly, but........)

[martelr]

. . . still trying to come up with a collection cup that is as simple to make . . .

Why bother? Seriously. What's the point of a collection cup?

It would make sense if anyone used collection cups to do actual "collection." However, these days everyone taps them and plumbs a drain line down into a skimmate container.

So... what's the point of the cup?

Put an elbow at the top of the skimmer (where you'd normally put the collection cup) and run a drain line from that down into the skimmate container. Put a 2" union there so you can take it off and clean the line and skimmer out occasionally.

Raph

[Geoff]

that is a great idea. i will think on that for a while.

yardboy. the closet flanges would leak around the knock out area. i tried like crazy to keep sealing them, but they just would not for me. i do know that different geographical areas use different PVC manufacturers to keep the costs down. so maybe the manufacturer there makes better knock out then i have here.

i did get rid of one of the tubes on the inside to make it simpler. i would not have if i could have found flat caps. all of the end caps around here are rounded. this is why i went with the rubber quick cap. it makes a nice flat area so the skimmer will stand.

it does look a lot more clunky than the original version, but it is whicked quick to make. i still do not get bubbles out of it, so it seems that the triple pass was not totally necessary. so far it seems simpler to get adjusted. this may be that the pump i was using on the old style was way to powerfull for the skimmer. a Velocity T2. you just do not realize how much head pressure a venturi valve adds. so with a Mag 7 it ran about perfect, but with a T2 i could not open up the valve much at all without serious overskimming.

G~

[yardboy]

Originally Posted by martelr

. . . still trying to come up with a collection cup that is as simple to make . . .

Why bother? Seriously. What's the point of a collection cup?

It would make sense if anyone used collection cups to do actual "collection." However, these days everyone taps them and plumbs a drain line down into a skimmate container.

So... what's the point of the cup?

Put an elbow at the top of the skimmer (where you'd normally put the collection cup) and run a drain line from that down into the skimmate container. Put a 2" union there so you can take it off and clean the line and skimmer out occasionally.

Raph

I think I saw Alfalfa with a skimmer that used your idea, Raph. I use the cup as a "sightglass" so I can see where the water level is and how to adjust it. If a piece of clear 1 1/2" pipe is used at the top you might be able to see where the water and foam is and eliminate the cup. Do you have a skimmer like you describe and how do you adjust it? I've wondered about that with Alfalfa's.

[yardboy]

"the closet flanges would leak around the knock out area. i tried like crazy to keep sealing them, but they just would not for me. i do know that different geographical areas use different PVC manufacturers to keep the costs down. so maybe the manufacturer there makes better knock out then i have here."

That's odd because here they are labelled as "Closet flange with test plug" so I'd think they have to be tight for the test purposes. As I said, they did have several different types so maybe I just lucked out. I think I'll go that way again and look at them real close to make sure they're tight.

[wharyat]

On my closet flange you would have to take a hammer to it to break out the bottom, it's practically a solid piece; I couldn't imagine it leaking from there.

And Geoff, I used a pvc compression fitting that goes from 1"slip to 1" MPT and then a 3" cap with a hole drilled in it and pvc glued to the compression fitting for my collection cup, cost a whole 4 dollars; they have the same in 1.5".

I only used 3" to 1" on mine since I have lower flow and it's only on a 20 gallon, so far it way outperforms my prizm on my 20H (not unexpected).

[Geoff]

yardboy-yea they look solid to me also, but they would slowly start leaking around the thinner area where it is suppose to knock out. way annoying.

wharyat-i like your collection cup, but i am trying to get a skimmer that only takes a handsaw to make (cutting the PVC as the limiting factor). cutting holes larger than 1/2" requires a special bit. just trying to get people a decent inexpensive skimmer option that they throw together in a day with normal tools.

G~

[wharyat]

It sounds like an elbow in the place of the cup would be the easiest way to go, it would need to be either perfect height to start off or easily adjustable.

[tims]

Does this mean another PDF ?????

[Geoff]

Originally Posted by tims

Does this mean another PDF ?????

hold your breath, i dare you.

G~

[martelr]

I think I saw Alfalfa with a skimmer that used your idea, Raph. I use the cup as a "sightglass" so I can see where the water level is and how to adjust it. If a piece of clear 1 1/2" pipe is used at the top you might be able to see where the water and foam is and eliminate the cup. Do you have a skimmer like you describe and how do you adjust it? I've wondered about that with Alfalfa's.

I run a wet skimmer. My skimmate collection tube was and is clear 1/2" inner diameter tubing. It's cheap enough that rather than try to completely clean it every month (I did rinse it once a week) I would just toss it. You can easily see whether your foam is wet or "dry" as it comes out the tube. I use a needlewheel pump, so my skimming levels stay pretty constant and don't need much adjusting anyway.

I do not have the elbow-topped skimmer anymore (don't ask) but it worked fine when I did!

It sounds like an elbow in the place of the cup would be the easiest way to go, it would need to be either perfect height to start off or easily adjustable.

Actually, the best way I've found to do this is, rather than trying to adjust the elbow or using a gate valve on the output, is to use a slide fitting. It's extremely easy to adjust very finely, and it doesn't depend on pump input rate or anything else to keep your water level constant.

If you're crazy and think you need it, use two slide fittings, one after the other. You'd have quite the range of adjustability.

Put the clear tubing on the elbow fitting, and down into the skimmate container. Set the output (using the slide fittings, obviously) at their lowest, and turn the pump on. Raise the skimmer output higher until you see wet foam. Back it off a bit, and you should be good.

I run a Precision Marine Hang On Tank (rated for a 75 gallon) on my 10 gallon nano now. I cracked my DIY skimmer and had $40 and bought the PM HOT used rather than build a new one (I'm kind of strapped for time these days.) But when I had the skimmer with the elbow on top, it skimmed just fine. Again, I ran it as wet as possible--I just think of it as "water changes" rather than "wet vs. dry." If you really pay attention to the skimmer, you realize that it's way better to get the yuck out than to let it dry on the inside of the collection cup--next time the foam level rises, that stuff all falls back into the skimmer (and hence, the water--you can't convince me it doesn't get dissolved to some extent!)

Just watch the skimmate tube--you'll see the foam come out the same way it does in the collection cup. If you're paranoid, you could even move up to the 1" clear vinyl tubing that Home Depot sells. Just as easy to see as a collection cup, and SO much easier.

Again, the big 2" union makes it very easy to clean the top of the skimmer (which does get gross), the elbow, and the tubing barb inside.

I just keep looking at these skimmer collection cups and asking, "Why?" I'm actually going to modify my PM HOT to get rid of the collection cup. It's a pain to get off, and when I do I always tip it and and dump something nasty all over my feet. (I'm clumsy.)

Raph