skimmer fix

[fidelity]

I picked up a used Skimmer from Jenn and I was wondering if any of you had any ideas for a fix.

It's a Euro-Reef of some sort and where the collection cup twists on, the plastic is broken, so it just sits ontop. It leaks water a good bit, but being in the sump it's not a big deal. I'm just curious if the water pressure will affect skimming greatly? I'll take some pictures in a minute and update the thread.

My idea was to add a large diameter pvc pipe in between, bond a female threaded end on top where the plastic is broken and a male threaded end on the bottom of the collection cup.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Chris
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60G Cube, etc, etc, etc

[fidelity]

Someone please ID this skimmer for me too.

Thanks!

[Mafiaman]

Chris I dont want to scare you, But what I'd be worried about is that skimmate getting back into your system it is pure toxin.

[fidelity]

I thought about this a little, but in reality no skimmer is 100% - so even if it did not skim 100% and let some poop back in the tank, any other skimmer could have missed it.

However if my skimming is reduced to 5% effectiveness it's time to kick it to the curb.

There's no bubbles leaking from the gap in between the collection cup and main skimmer. The bubbles in theory should choose the path of least resistance. In my mind, this would be the top of the skimmer.

[Rick O]

I can't tell much from the pic but if all of the pieces are there you could try and glue it back together. If it's acrylic and you use acrylic glue you will probably have a very secure bond. Someone with more experience than me can suggest which glue to use.

[wanareef]

Can you take a picture of the side full on. Can't tell from the picture. I'll take a guess though. If it leaking by that black ring area, clean out the skimmer and dry it with a hair dryer - yes hair dryer, but not too close.

Let it dry some moe for a day and use that day to find a plastic shop close by. Get some weldon 16, comes ina red tube. The glue is thick, compared to #4. If you can just spread the glue in the leaking area, better yet reglue the entire circumfrence going slowly and neatly. Let dry for at least a couple of days. Then should be good to go.

For acrylic, the type of "glue" is really a solvent. It melts the two pieces then you assemble together. So only acrylic cement or solvent will work. Don't use silicone - just messy and won't stick.

hth

[fidelity]

How would I get my collection cup off to throw away the stink?

[Rick O]

Originally posted by fidelity
How would I get my collection cup off to throw away the stink?

If you can just repair the broken pieces you should still be able to use the skimmer as designed. Not being able to see exactly where the crack is it's hard to advise of a possible repair. There's always some solution.

[Geoff]

if it is a crack i would actually suggest Weld-on 3 and a syringe applicator. this is very thin, so it capillaries into the crack and cements it. for this reason i have both Weld-on 16 and Weld-on 3. they each have thier merrits.

G~

[fidelity]

The ledges where the cup caps on are missing, so it's not as simple as replace and bond back together.

What do y'all think about 3" male and female threaded pvc in between?

[Rick O]

Hmmm. I dunno. I would need to see it to understand what you're wanting to do.

[fidelity]

Hmm well whatcha doin tonight?

[Rick O]

Nuttin but I have two sick kids here.

[fidelity]

Ah bummer hope they get well soon.

[Rick O]

Thanks. I PM'd ya.