daugherty
part time reefer
i thing my octo hang on is around 300gph or more
DIY Skimmer
- Thread starter bjohanson1234
- Start date
bjohanson1234
.........
the recirculating pump is a mag 7, thought it was a 5 but when putting it together noticed the model number. Definantly something to look into. Had this little pump just hanging around so decided to try it.
daugherty
part time reefer
can you put a gatecalve on it to play with the flow a bit?
cthegame
Reef enthusiast
you didn an awesome job :Cheers:
60GPH is a little too low. Try a maxijet, see how that works.
60GPH is a little too low. Try a maxijet, see how that works.
Ted
Living one day at a time
Ya I agree with the rest might be slow. My hob fuge with skimmers pump is a 250 but it is slower then that because of the venturi thing. As they chop bubbles it decreases water flow.
bjohanson1234
.........
Well isnt it funny how when you are looking for some info on building the thing you cant seem to find it. But then when you do, it practically jumps at you?
Just found this for those interested.:mrgreen:
DIY 4" Needle Wheel Skimmer
I think the biggest drawback to mine is that the mag 7 doesnt have a needle wheel. I think I will have to try and find a NW impellor for the mag 7 to help chop up those bubbles a bit more. Also if the venturi injector was a true venturi instead of just a peice of tubing in a PVC fitting.
Here is a price break down. Not going to include the pumps since I had them laying around.
10" length - 4" Sch 40 pipe, found it on a job site, Free but saw a 2 foot section for 5 bucks at Lowes total $5
2 - 4" Sch 40 couplings, $2, total $9
1 - 4" sewer coupling, $2, total $11
2 - 4" sewer caps, $1.50, total $14
1 - 2-liter bottle, free, total $14
3 - 1/2" female pipe thread to slip on, $.25, total $14.75
2- 1/2" male pipe thread to slip on, $.25, total $15.25
1- 1/2" female pipe thread to slip elbow, $.25, total $15.50
1 - 1/2" union, $2, total $17.50
1 - 1/2" compresion coupling, $2, total $19.50
bag of elbow, not all used, $2, total $21.50
1 - 1" male pipe to slip PVC electrical fitting, $.25 total $21.75
1 - 1" female pipe to slip PVC electrical fitting, $.25 total $22
10' stick of 1/2" pipe - $2, total $24
That is about all the material I used that I can think of off the top of my head. Going to look into making that collection cup in the other site. Looks alot better than mine.
Brian
Just found this for those interested.:mrgreen:
DIY 4" Needle Wheel Skimmer
I think the biggest drawback to mine is that the mag 7 doesnt have a needle wheel. I think I will have to try and find a NW impellor for the mag 7 to help chop up those bubbles a bit more. Also if the venturi injector was a true venturi instead of just a peice of tubing in a PVC fitting.
Here is a price break down. Not going to include the pumps since I had them laying around.
10" length - 4" Sch 40 pipe, found it on a job site, Free but saw a 2 foot section for 5 bucks at Lowes total $5
2 - 4" Sch 40 couplings, $2, total $9
1 - 4" sewer coupling, $2, total $11
2 - 4" sewer caps, $1.50, total $14
1 - 2-liter bottle, free, total $14
3 - 1/2" female pipe thread to slip on, $.25, total $14.75
2- 1/2" male pipe thread to slip on, $.25, total $15.25
1- 1/2" female pipe thread to slip elbow, $.25, total $15.50
1 - 1/2" union, $2, total $17.50
1 - 1/2" compresion coupling, $2, total $19.50
bag of elbow, not all used, $2, total $21.50
1 - 1" male pipe to slip PVC electrical fitting, $.25 total $21.75
1 - 1" female pipe to slip PVC electrical fitting, $.25 total $22
10' stick of 1/2" pipe - $2, total $24
That is about all the material I used that I can think of off the top of my head. Going to look into making that collection cup in the other site. Looks alot better than mine.
Brian
bjohanson1234
.........
The 60 GPH pump is just a feeder pump, there is no venturi inline with that pump. The one with the venturi is a mag 7.
daugherty
part time reefer
i would try a mj1200 maybe
project5k
Reef enthusiast
see i would think that something like either the 200+ or the 500+ gph harbor freight pumps would be great for this, more likely the 200+ one, i think i remember its like $20 and available online or in the stores...
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47117 258gph $19.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47117 258gph $19.99
Grassman
Reefing newb
Now that's something I could afford. Might have to add 20% to your total for the exchange rate!! LOL. :mrgreen: I might try one this weekend and hook my pond pump up to it. It's a 250gph...never know. Thanks for the great pics and idea!
Barry
bjohanson1234
.........
Now I didnt use any uniseals like the link that I gave. I just drilled a hole with a 7/8th hole saw and glues the pipe in place. If I had a 1/2 pipe tap, I would have threaded it. It still isnt producing much foam yet. I think I need to raise the water level in the skimmer up some. But I have the output adjusted as high as it goes right now. Just need to make a new back to back with longer legs. Havent had time the past couple days.
bjohanson1234
.........
the way I see it is that if it works I save a couple hundred dollars. If it doesnt, I am only out less than 30 and time. Being that I was not doing anything else, I dont count that towards anything.
project5k
Reef enthusiast
I think its awesome, keep it up, keep tinkering with it, you'll find that combination that it likes...
project5k
Reef enthusiast
so hows this thing do'n now after a couple weeks?
dcantucson
Reef pro
It must not be working. I bet he would have been posting otherwise. :lol:
project5k
Reef enthusiast
good point!
dcantucson
Reef pro
RIGHT BJ ?????? :lol:
bjohanson1234
.........
Still fine tuning it. Built this thing then got called back to work and not much time left during the day to really adjust it.
I did make the return from the skimmer higher so that the water level is closer to the top of the collection cup. Just really have to get some time and fine tune the thing. I would say it is better than a seaclone right now. But really not saying much then
Brian
I did make the return from the skimmer higher so that the water level is closer to the top of the collection cup. Just really have to get some time and fine tune the thing. I would say it is better than a seaclone right now. But really not saying much then
Brian
cthegame
Reef enthusiast
i think part of why adjusting is so difficult is because you cant see inside the main chamber i assume. It really helps to be able to see whats going on inside while its running. But im not sure, can you see inside?
I build a few skimmers before and one of them i used a similar white cylinder and i got so frustrated with it because i couldnt tell what is going on inside that i just gave up and made one from a 5-gal jug.
I build a few skimmers before and one of them i used a similar white cylinder and i got so frustrated with it because i couldnt tell what is going on inside that i just gave up and made one from a 5-gal jug.
project5k
Reef enthusiast
i've been trying to think of alternative sources of main chamber material, specifically something clear... the only thing that i've come up with so far is either find a bank drive through that they are tearing down, and get the air tubes cause some of thoes are clear, or, the other thing that i thought of, and would be a real pain to make work, but.... what about thoes clear tubular packaging things that they sell christmas ornaments in? like at walmart or target?
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