Going to buy the parts later today to build my skimmer....

[Tim224DT]

Ok now that my tank is moved into its new spot and everything is back in it i wanted to get a start on building my skimmer.

The pipe around the drain line will be 2" and a 1" drian line. The inlet line will be what ever the pump is not sure if its 1/2" or 3/4".

Now for joining the drain line and inlet line to the 4" chamber im scared that the PVC glue will crack and start to leak do to the vibration of the pump. Now they sell these little blak things that like plug the hole and you twist your pipe into the hole of the little black thing how well do these things work i cant think of the name of them.

Also about half way down the 4" chamber i will be installing something that will allow my to take it apart to clean it every so often.

Tim

[EnderG60]

reverse your in/outs and make the devider in the middle as big as you can and still leave about 3/8" between it and the outter wall.

the put a gate valve(not a ball valve) on the outlet with a spong to catch any stray bubbles

[Loverotties]

Have fun doing it!

[smeesus]

Tim, let us know how it works when you get it done.

[Tim224DT]

I purchased a lot of the stuff yesterday night at HD and i havnt strated on it yet.
Why would a gate valve be better on the output?

It might be two weeks before i get this thing finished i dont want to rush in building it because i dont want to mess soemthing up and have saltwater on the floor.

Tim

[Geoff]

Originally Posted by Tim224DT

Now for joining the drain line and inlet line to the 4" chamber im scared that the PVC glue will crack and start to leak do to the vibration of the pump. Now they sell these little blak things that like plug the hole and you twist your pipe into the hole of the little black thing how well do these things work i cant think of the name of them.

uniseals are what they are called. there are also tee eliminators. they both work pretty well. the only problems i have had with them is that you HAVE to use a HOLE SAW for the holes. spade/paddle bits do not work. they cause the hole to be oval instead of round and the seals leak like crazy.

G~

[Tim224DT]

Originally Posted by Geoff

uniseals are what they are called. there are also tee eliminators. they both work pretty well. the only problems i have had with them is that you HAVE to use a HOLE SAW for the holes. spade/paddle bits do not work. they cause the hole to be oval instead of round and the seals leak like crazy.

G~

Thanks for that bit of info about the uniseals and the hole saws cutting an oval and then leaking. I guess i would have to cut and try..........If that doesnt work i guess the Grey PVC glue is my next option.

Tim

[wanareef]

What Geoff said on the out of round hole is very true. On the smaller sizes, it takes some pressure to insert it into the hole after it's mounted, but the bigger sizes - you will need a lot M O R E pressure and a big "gut".
Took me 45 mins to get a 1.5" pvd into the 1.5" uniseal after having to use soap instead of just water as reconmended

[yardboy]

My instructions said to use Windex,which made it possible to insert, I found it impossible otherwise!

[BLFuller123]

Here is a picture of the skimmer I just made. It is for my 75 gallon.

[VWD]

Looks nice.

[wanareef]

Looks good - you trying to take some of my business If you want to get lazy, under that cup or on the side you can add a drain line to a waste colletor for dumping every so often, or really lazy hook it up to the house drain

[BLFuller123]

Yea, hadnt put the drian line yet.

[Tim224DT]

Here is what i go so far....Its not much i havnt really had time sit down to cut and size it all up. Maybe this weekend i will get my friend to help me finish it. I still have to order the Mag Pump online its like $110 at my LFS and like $60 online.

Tim