Modding HOB skimmer for recirc

Jimbo · 12-20-2006, 02:15 PM

I am going to setup a 20g and wanted a decent skimmer. I was thinking of a typhoon and removing the venturi (using the main pump just for water) and use a maxijet for recirculating (needle wheel like design). I've modded my skimmer on my main tank to do this and it works great, although I have a 700gph pump on it for recirc needle wheel like.

The thing I'm worred about is bubbles into the main tank. I've also seen alot of mods for seaclone skimmers.

I don't want to build the whole skimmer so I just need something cheap to start with that if fairly well constructed.

Jimbo · 12-20-2006, 02:32 PM

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...pc=1&N=0&Nty=1

Loverotties · 12-20-2006, 02:34 PM

Remora Makes a nice nano one.

Geoff · 12-21-2006, 12:51 AM

not sure. those smaller skimmers are working at their maximum flow as it is. i would be afraid of adding more velocity in the chamber making it more likely for micro bubbles to make it into the display. a skimmer can only handle so much velocity in it. adding a recirc uses up this valuable velocity. i feel this velocity would be put to better use with more throughput from the feed pump.

G~

Jimbo · 12-21-2006, 04:04 PM

Quote:

not sure. those smaller skimmers are working at their maximum flow as it is. i would be afraid of adding more velocity in the chamber making it more likely for micro bubbles to make it into the display. a skimmer can only handle so much velocity in it. adding a recirc uses up this valuable velocity. i feel this velocity would be put to better use with more throughput from the feed pump.

One thing about using a maxijet is that you can adjust it to just dump bubbles without much turbulance. I was thinking of a 600. One problem with needle wheel only skimmers is if the air inlet gets clogged they can overflow. That's why I tend to shy away from recirc only skimmers like the corallife models. We should think of this, not as a recirc skimmer just a recirc bubble maker, More bubbles than water movement. So you can keep a constant throughput through the skimmer and just generate a bunch of bubbles. The main pump may push to much water through without the venturie. As you stated the extra bubbles might be a problem either way.

What about a intank bubble diffuser? Anyone diy'd one?

Here's a link to the breakdown of the skimmer. Any other skimmers worth trying this on that are a little bigger but cheap and made of good plastic.
http://www.danddmarine.com/TyphoonInstr.pdf

I was just looking and this skimmer has an inner tube would have to drill through the outer and inner tube to dump bubbles in.

Koddie Doo · 12-21-2006, 04:23 PM

I use a HOB Bak Pak w/ MJ 1200 mod and love it

Jimbo · 12-21-2006, 06:49 PM

Here's what I'm thinking of

Geoff · 12-22-2006, 02:29 PM

the only problem is see is that our air inlet is below the water line for the skimmer. if the power were ever to out this is where all of the water will want to escape from.

those angled skimmate collection cups seem to not work as well as the full round ones.

other than that it should work.

G~

tabwyo · 01-05-2007, 06:38 PM

How do you water proof a MJ for external use? If you enlighten me I may have to mod my little skimmer.

Jimbo · 01-06-2007, 11:43 PM

Quote:

How do you water proof a MJ for external use? If you enlighten me I may have to mod my little skimmer

MJ have a rubber o-ring. They should not leak if you have the bottom on snugly. You don't want to put a lot of stress on the intake and exhaust.

tabwyo · 01-07-2007, 09:28 AM

well then I need to look at getting a couple MaxiJets then. I got an el' cheapo skimmer off aquatraders.com. The HOM/sump model. I think it would be perfect for a small smod like this.