Check Out My DIY Skimmer! Lots of Pics...Full Tank Pics Now Included!

c9miles · 11-06-2005, 08:38 PM

My new HOB Skimmer is working! I make it from acrylic and CPVC pipe, and some stuff from work for the skimmer cup. I have it hanging on my Nano Cube just for a test run, but will be moving it to my 20L frag tank soon. I'm running it with a maxi-jet 900 with the venturi tube in front of the intake. Its working pretty well for an inexpensive DIY skimmer.

Chad

Spongebobsquarepants · 11-06-2005, 08:45 PM

looken good

xaoss23 · 11-06-2005, 09:55 PM

Looks great! Im assuming youre not going to leave it where it is.... lol

wharyat · 11-06-2005, 09:57 PM

Very nice, looks like it running great!

Might want to reconsider the CPVC, it's chlorinated and may lead to problems down the line.

Loverotties · 11-06-2005, 10:32 PM

Not bad.

motorslave · 11-07-2005, 12:28 AM

Cool! Thats a great DIY project! What was the total cost? How about a parts list for those who might want to build one!

Robert

Geoff · 11-07-2005, 02:34 AM

Very nice!

why did you put that last baffle in there? i do not think it is needed.

G~

VWD · 11-07-2005, 07:05 AM

looks good.

Brent Cone · 11-07-2005, 07:15 AM

Nice!

c9miles · 11-07-2005, 07:51 AM

Thanks for everyone's replys. I didn't know that about the CPVC, I may have to consider something else. Would soaking it in dechlorinator do anything, or is the chlorine something that might constantly leach out? Also, the last bulkhead was added just to help reduce the micro bubbles...may not be needed, but its glued in and its not coming out now :-) And it's just having a test run on the nano-cube, not staying there for good

As for the parts list:

2 - sheets of plexi-glass from home depot...and plexi-glass scorer
1 - set of 1" male and female CPVC fittings used as the output bulkhead
1 - set of 3/4" male and female CPVC fittings for the intake bulkhead
1 - 3/4" to 1/2" reducer to reduce the 3/4" intake to 1/2" so the flexible tube from the maxi-jet will slide on
2 - 3/4" CPVC elbows
2 - 1" CPVC elbows
4 - large rubber washers for the inside and outside of the bulkheads

Weld-on 4 to connect the acrylic
Then I used some 3/4" and 1" CPVC pipe (the 1" was the hardest piece to find, unless I wanted to buy 20 feet)
I used a Dremel with a grinding stone to make all my holes in the acrylic, and I had to shorten the CPVC bulkheads and elbows to get them to fit inside the acrylic box once the were together.

For the cup, I used the top of a plastic Saline bottle that I got from work (I work in a research lab), boiled it, and flattened it out and cut it in a square so it would slide down into the acrylic box. Then I glued a piece of 1" pipe into the bottle lid. I grinded out the center of a filter cup (another laboratory find) and slid it down on the CPVC pipe, and glued it to the top of the Saline bottle. Then filled in any small gaps with Weld-on.

I used the venturi that came with the maxi-jet, just put a piece of flex tubing from the venturi to the input of the powerhead...had to boil the tube a little to make it soft to slide on the input, but now it not only sucks air in, but gets chopped up a little more by the impellar. It would probably work even better with a larger powerhead.

I hope this helps..I know not everyone will be able to find laboratory items, but I'm sure you can find something similar, or come up with a better method.

Chad

Geoff · 11-07-2005, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c9miles

Also, the last bulkhead was added just to help reduce the micro bubbles...may not be needed, but its glued in and its not coming out now :-) And it's just having a test run on the nano-cube, not staying there for good

thought of a very minor issue with this.

if there are microbubbles leaving the skimmer than these micro bubbles will contain DOC's attached to them. in this case you are just putting them back into the water column. the way you have it now if the microbubbles make it to the top of that overflow than they can pop, releasing the DOC's back into the water column. if you were to angle the third baffle so that it starts at the top like you have it, than angle it so it hits the 4th baffle it will capture as much bubbles as possible. leaving it open below it obviously. make sense?

i think you have a great design there! just trying to help you take it to the next level.

G~

xtopher · 11-07-2005, 09:39 AM

great lookin skimmer you got goin on there! Now lets see a pic of the tank.

c9miles · 11-07-2005, 02:13 PM

Geoff, I understand what your saying now. Well for my first attempt I think it's working pretty well. I'll see how it goes and possibly experiment with and updated version sometime with any needed corrections. Any input is great though....will only help make it better.

I'll post some pictures of the tank tonight when I get home from work. Thanks.

Chad

Geoff · 11-07-2005, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c9miles

I'll post some pictures of the tank tonight when I get home from work. Thanks.

Chad

uhhh ohh, now you have done it. you have said the p word. nothing sets this group off more than the p word. nothing that is except a thread about Moon Pies!

G~

c9miles · 11-07-2005, 06:21 PM

Here are my tank pictures...this is my 12 gallon nano cube. As you can see, I really like zoos.....I also have a 20L frag tank and a 2.5, but the pics aren't as nice. Hope you all enjoy. Any comments welcome.

Chad