TOTW 7-10-08 Mesh Mods?

[scubadude]

I would like to see pics, hear input, advice, tips and recommendations on this modification. Please let me know the pump/skimmer model you did the mod on, type of mesh (enkamat, etc), how many layers and your results on the improvement of it? from what I have been reading this is the best modification out there for a needlewheel skimmer. My plans are to mesh mod a Octopus NW200 skimmer, I will take pics when I do it.

[Samper]

Rocky, I didn't take any pics but I used Enkamat in 4 layers on two sedra 5000 pump impellers. I cut off all but 4-6 of the needles and situated the mesh over them trimming with scissors as needed. Then I used tiny zip ties to hold the mesh in place routing them through the holes located on the needle wheel. I had old impellers that were missing a few needles and new ones on standby otherwise I wouldn't have done this. Something about trimming needles off of a perfectly good and expensive impeller bothers me.

This mod does seem to produce slightly smaller micro bubbles and the skimmers performances have slightly improved in my opinion. I will most likely build another one for the schools ASM G4 after a while. These pumps are on a Euro Reef 8-2 and an ASM G2. The cost is almost nothing as the Enkamat is cheap and you get enough to do 50 skimmers.

[underseaworld]

Where can you get the enkamat? I have a asm g4. Do you have any pictures on how you did this mod?

[scubadude]

www.marinesolutionsinc.com

OR

Marine Solutions Online Store

[underseaworld]

what is the asm gate valve about

[scubadude]

The gate valve gives more control of the output/outflow of the skimmer thus allow for better skimming. IMO its a pricey upgrade (gate valves arent cheap) for the return you get....especially if you compare it to a mesh mod......definately do the mesh mod first

[underseaworld]

what does this mod do to the balance of the propeller? I assume you cut the material to the diameter of the needle wheel. Is this true?

[scubadude]

what does this mod do to the balance of the propeller? I assume you cut the material to the diameter of the needle wheel. Is this true?

You have to trim any excess and be careful how much enkemat you put on, I have heard 4 layers but I would do 2-3 to start with. You definately dont want any resistance in the drag of the needlewheel, that might cause premature failure of your pump. Yes you are correct, trim the enkemat to the diameter of the wheel.

[Samper]

Rocky I would start with atleast three layers. I tried two to begin with and this didn't produce microbubbles like I was wanting. In fact I think the production was worse than the needle wheel with broken needles.

[scubadude]

I got my skimmer and enkemat delivered by Fed Ex today So did you only do 3 layers chuck? This is not a Sedra pump, its an octupus pump so I dont know what the differences are in clearances but I talked to the owner of Marine Solutions Inc. and he told me to be careful with the clearance and not to have any of the enkemat rubbing the housing or it will create drag and decrease the life of the pump. The enkemat I got seems very thin so it makes sense to do 2-3 layers to start, but Im curious if this stuff comes in different thickness.....he definately gave me enough to do 2-3 skimmer pumps though.

[Samper]

I ordered this from Premium. Enkamat PF4 Mesh Wheel Material - approx 13" x 12": Premium Aquatics=

Colbond makes it and does make different products.
7003 - http://www.geosindex.com/specs/colbond_enkamat7003.pdf

7010 - http://www.colbond-geosynthetics.com...%20%207010.pdf

7018 http://www.watersaver.com/UserFiles/...ta%20Sheet.pdf

7020 - http://www.colbond-geosynthetics.com...%20%207020.pdf

and others. Some of them biodegrade and shouldn't be used.

I haven't tried to figure out which one mine is but I used this series of posts to do my mod and trusted Premium. WAMAS Forums > I did the ASM G3 mesh wheel mod (many pics)
There are plenty of other links in it to other information.

I started with two layers and didn't get the desired results. I went to three and noticed a difference from that step up. Four layers looked exactly like three in the skimmer chamber and wasn't rubbing so I just left it.

[charlie]

Excellent info Chuck, thanx!!!

[Samper]

No problem Charlie. I think it's worth doing.

[scubadude]

Ok did my Mesh Mod and I personally cant see living w/out this MOD!

Here is how I did my Mod on my Octopus NW200 Skimmer w/ enkemat mesh
First I took the pump and took off the air inlet adapter then tak off the "lockdown cap" shown in pic below DO NOT PRY ON THIS CAP! It unscrews 1/4 turn then just comes off!...the NEXT cap you will pry.

This next step you need to be careful cuz this part of the pump I feel could crack if you are not careful. You have to pry the needlewheel cover cap off with a screwdriver (the NW cover cap is below the "lockdown cap")

Now you should be able to see your needlewheel Pop off the rubber tip, but be careful there is a rubber washer underneath it thats pretty small, you dont want to lose it.

I like to lay everything out on a towel with all my tools/supplies I need to do the mod, like pictured below.

[scubadude]

Here is a couple of the pics of the Needlewheel before the modification, notice that the NW has two layers of needles


You will need to cut all the needles on the first layer then cut all but 4 opposing needles on the second layer, like the pic below

[scubadude]

Now that you have the wheel modified you will need to put your layers of mesh on. A side note here that it may take different numbers of layers depending on the type of mesh you get. I ordered my Octopus NW200 skimmer and Enkemat from http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/ and they have listed 2 different kinds Enkemat PF4 and Enkemat flatback (7210). Im not 100% sure but I think I got the flatback cuz one side of the enkemat is flat the other side is wavy textured wich will make a difference when you are layering on clearances and how many layers you can use. I used 3 layers and it works GREAT for me. Take the NW cover cap and cut 3 layers to the diameter of the cover cap, then put the 3 layers together (first two put flatback to flatback, then the last layer mate the wavy to wavy ends) ziptie (use the smallest zipties you can find @ the hardware store) the layers to the remaining 4 needles on the needlewheel. Now take some nice sharp trimming scissors and trim the mesh to the diameter of the 4 remaining needles.


Here is the skimmer BEFORE the mod, I had the water level tube all the way up too!


Now here it is AFTER the mod, I had to put the water level tube down almost 75% so it wouldnt overflow in the collection cup


Conclusion: This MOD RAWKS!

Next mod to this skimmer will be drilling the collection cup so I can adapt a waste collector. Already got my milk jug next to it

[charlie]

A super documentation, thanx Rocky. I have this bookmarked for the future!!!