Skimmer design

[geo]

Looks like you have a winner mark, and I am a deferent geo (hill billy George)
You only need to feed your skimmer with a pump, the out put is like an overflow.
You are going to use a venturi valve like the kent or mazzi, right?

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george w.
see my diy calcium reactor & counter current protein skimmer

[MarkS]

I want to use a venturi valve, but where can I find one?

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[MarkS]

Never mind, I found one. I do have a few last questions. What is the best way to connect the input and output pipes to the skimmer body? I was going to just drill a hole the diameter of the input/output pipes and glue them in place with PVC solvent. This does not seem like the best way though. Are there any type of bulk head adapters that take the curvature of the 4" PVC pipe in to account? If so, what is it called?

Thanks,
Mark

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[geo]

some peolple drill and tap the tube, I use insert fittins and glue them with devcon plastic welder.
check out www.savko.com for your odd fittings

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george w.
see my diy calcium reactor & counter current protein skimmer

[IsaaX]

MarkS,

I'd put the water outlet down below (below the inlet) to avoid bubbles being spewed in the tank/sump.

[MarkS]

Do you mean DIRECTLY beneath the input? THe output is below the input. The height of the exit tube is for leveling the water in the skimmer. What you don't see (yet) in the plans is a slip joint on the output. Please explain.

What does everyone think about using the Beckett foam injector used on HSA skimmers? Would it make mine more efficient?

Thanks,
Mark

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[geo]

A slip fix fitting is an itm ued to repair broken PVC pipe. www.savko.com sell the good two peice modle. lowe's also sells a "slip fix" but it leaks when it is in the closed position.
check out top fathom
there is a diagram of their skimmer if you havnt all ready seen it.

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george w.
see my diy calcium reactor & counter current protein skimmer

[Reefman19]

MarkS,
I do not have a homebrew skimmer, but mine does employ the Beckett valve. I do like it much better than the old needle wheel I had and even better than the venturi on my second skimmer. It does need a pressure rated pump and lots of gallonage! I use a dedicated Gen-X/Mak-4 to run mine. The bubbles are fine and by the millions.

If your budget allows for the pump and you have real estate to put the pump, a Beckett is worth considering.

My LFS runs a skimmer identical to mine with the SEN-900 pump.

Go to www.marine-monsters.com and look at the skimmers. See the AeorFoamer 624. That is the one I have.

I have had it for about a month now and I love it!



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Greg

[YZ]

Well I was going to make my own diy skimmer but the only problem I have with the diy skimmer is you can't see if it's working right. Plus if you bought all the cast acrylic pieces it wouldn't be much more to buy one than it would be to make considering time to piece it together.

About the inlet/outlet I would get an extra 6" piece of 4" tubing if that is the outer tubing. Cut it in half and pvc cement it to the place where the tubing is going to be drilled. Then drill, this is basically just reinforcing the pvc and making it thicker and easier to seal. I would try the pvc cement, but if it leaks look for some good epoxy like weld-on, etc.

[PPFBOBB12]

Sounds like a good DIY skimmer.I have been debating for a little while on wheather to give it a little whirl.Btw your skimmer design is a very good one and should be very efficiant!

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Please visit my Webpage at Phils Reef Page

[Toast_Man]

here is a link to a DIY skimmer that I designed (I have not yet built it) It uses all common PVC fittings and clear PVC which is a little more expensive but you can use regular PVC glue with it.
http://www.topcities.com/family/jagr...rs/skimmer.tif

I dont have the ability to convert this file to a jpg at work so you may have to download the file to look at it.

I have built the Beckett chamber and this fits together awesome.

HTH

Joel

[RicoJ]

Mark did you complete your skimmer yet? Give us an update.

Rico

[MarkS]

No, I lost my job right after designing this and have had other priorities since. Like rent and food and stuff. [img]/ubb/frown.gif[/img] But I have a good job now and will hopefully have this completed within a few months. I'll keep everyone updated.

Thanks,
Mark

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness".