DIY Skimmer Suggestions

[Jimbo]

Ok my skimmer has overflowed for that last time, so it's time to upgrade it. Here's what I have to start with. I plan on making the output larger diameter with quick disconnects for cleaning. Now I seen design with two maxjets taking in water from the bottom and impeller injection back into the body then using a water feed from somewhere I like this design because it seems efficient and even if the the air inlet gets clogged you won't have a overflow problem unless our outlet gets clogged.

Any other ideas?

[Geoff]

why are you having an overflow problem? are you messing with your skimmer to often.

i do not think it matters what kind of skimmer you are using. example, if you use the stick epoxy it will cause the skimmer to go nuts.

i have learned, granted it took me quite a long time, but just leave the skimmer alone once you find a setting that works. so some days i do not get anything at all. and others i get a really wet skimmate, but not enough to overflow anything. you may just need to turn off the skimmer whenever you do this thing you do to excite the skimmer.

G~

[Jimbo]

Geoff I had it modified for impeller bubble injection, but the air mixture is constantly getting clogged and the outlet is not cleanable. I've been having trouble at both ends of the spectrum with this setup.

So I ordered a genx 4100 pump 1000gph for a closed loop bubble generation within the skimmer. This will solve the air mixture problem even if it completly clogs up it will not force more water into the chamber. It's off to HD/Lowes for some other parts to solve the outlet considerations. It should kick butt when I'm done.

[Jimbo]

Here's where I saw a pic of the other skimmer that uses two maxijets.

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/sh...hlight=skimmer

Now I only plan on using one pump, is there considerations where the water inlet should be? In the pic it is at the same level as the bubble outlets. Should I collect water from the bottom or up a little in the reaction chamber. I reproduced the picture here.

[Geoff]

i only use gravity control for water level in my skimmers. i find this a lot more reliable than other methods that need to be balanced. i use PVC slides on the outlet. i use oversized tubing so that if a lot of water were to be pumped into the skimmer it would still be able to maintain the proper water level and not overflow. this method or water removal will be unaffected by your CLS air injection system.

i am not a big fan of valves on anything. gravity will always win.

G~

[Jimbo]

Gravity s*cks sometimes

[Jimbo]

Geoff whats a pvc slide and where can you get them Pic would be cool.

[Geoff]

you can find them at either Lowe's or HD. they come in all of our favorite sizes. they have a limited slide range, like only 3 inches, but if you have worked on skimmers enough you get an idea on where the water level should be.

in the pic it is that barrel looking thing on the skimmer outlet tube. there is a second one in the pic, but it is taken apart. at the very end of the skimmer outlet tube is the innerds for another slide coupler. they are really used for repairing breaks in the middle of a PVC run. cut the bad length out then put the slide adaptor in, then expand it to fit the removed section of PVC.



if you need a better pic i will try and get a pic of it alone.

G~

[tobbob]

G
Gravity control huh?
You got a link to to the build sheet for that puppy?
Bob

[Geoff]

Originally posted by tobbob
G
Gravity control huh?
You got a link to to the build sheet for that puppy?
Bob

but of course.

here is my DIY skimmer page.

BTW-gravity control like this works great for any kind of strange pump or air mix problem, but it will not help if lets say you dump somekind of foaming agent into the tank. the water level will stay constant, but if a foaming agent is put in the water the foam will easily rise outside the collection tube.

G~

[Jimbo]

Got some stuff at HD still waiting for the pump, but instead of a big riser on the outlet I was going to drill a 1/2 inch hole and run a tube to reduce pressure in the outlet when starting the skimmer. I just don't want a 2/3 foot tube above the skimmer. The pump won't be here until wednesday, so have not picked that up yet. The inner diameter is 3/4 inch, anyone know the approximate flow rate. The intake will be from my canister filter which is about 175 gph, but I can decrease it if need be.

Should mention this will dump into my 10g refugium, I like the output under water so it does not splash much.

Anyone put the pvc tubing together with teflon tape? Will it leak, I will be testing this out in the bathtub anyway

[Geoff]

a 3/4" pipe can handle about 400gph gravity fed. as far as pumping, it can handle at least 1800gph, at least that is what the inlets and outlets on a Mag 18 are.

G~

[Jimbo]

Received the pump, not bad construction for an elcheapo. Purchased a 3/4 inch pvc tap, but am having trouble finding a 7/8 inch drill bit. HD has them but they are $25 and the cheap wood cutting ones will chip the plastic. Will cruise around today looking for bit. Might just have to bite the bullet and get the $25 buck one.

[Jimbo]

Got it hooked up tonight and the pump is way to big LOL Need to throttle it back. To HD tomorrow to fix it. 1000gph with this setup is enough for 4 skimmers this size. Probally should have bought a 500gph instead. OW... Pictures tomorrow.

[Jimbo]

Have it skimming with the pump running half power. It seems a shame not to use the whole output of the pump. I found some 10" pvc at Lowes but need to find a reducer 10" to 4" anyone know where to get one?