My DIY Skimmer

[yerboy]

I just recently finished building my own skimmer. Word to the wise " fiberglass resin is your friend , silicon is not ".
I wish i had took more pics of it while it was being built but i was to busy sniffing PVC glue to think about it.
Its powered by a 1500 gph pump, a Coralife (Super) Luft Air Pump /w 4 6" airstones " two in each 4 ft tower". And man this thing moves some nasty stuff.
The stuff coming out of the skimmer was after less then 5 mins of run time.
Next project is moving my 20L and putting up my wall screen to cover that ugly thing up.

 

[camanuch]

how did you run your air lines? Through the caps and then down to the base with you air stone? Please post thanks.

 

[yerboy]

no i drilled holes in the bottom of the towers and then sealed around it.

 

[thoroughbred]

Wow what a beast.

 

[camanuch]

thanksfor the pic. Thats exactly how i was going to do it. I am going to power it all with an old power head or my return pump from my sump wich is 400 gph. Any other ideas suchvas types of air stones or any other suggestions. Thanks again.

 

[zman1]

If your hoses start to leak, get some jonny Quest ( speed fittings) and tap the hole and telon tape them. Stiff air line hose will stay sealed in them or RO 1/4" line they are designed for. This will also fit your air pump manifold. From the last picture I can't tell if the water is leaking from the hoses or the toilet flange. If you only used silicon for the flange seal you may want to pull it apart and use Oatey PVC cememt.

 

[yerboy]

that water was leaking from the toilet flange, not enough glue when putting it on. Ive since sealed it with fiberglass resin.

 

[zman1]

Okay
Here is a picture of the JQ fitting I was talking about if your interested

 

[theappe3]

looks cool

 

[bessycerka]

Oh my god it's the twin towers! That really IS a cool design. and from what I see it works like a champ.

 

[salty blues]

looks like a heavy duty rig.

 

[matt b]

wow nice job

 

[camanuch]

On the bottom where the flange is, what did you use to seal the bottom of the skimmer. The flange I have is open on the bottom so it won't bewater tight. Please help I want to get mine up and running as soon as possible. Thanks.

 

[thangbom]

few q?.... how are you going to change your airstones when they go bad??? and do that air pump pump in hot air?? ( cuzz of the compression of the air.. some pumps pump hot air which can lead to higher tank temp)
YzGYz

 

[yerboy]

Originally Posted by camanuch
On the bottom where the flange is, what did you use to seal the bottom of the skimmer. The flange I have is open on the bottom so it won't bewater tight. Please help I want to get mine up and running as soon as possible. Thanks.
the bottom is a toilet flange, complete seal

 

[yerboy]

Originally Posted by ThaNgBom
few q?.... how are you going to change your airstones when they go bad??? and do that air pump pump in hot air?? ( cuzz of the compression of the air.. some pumps pump hot air which can lead to higher tank temp)
YzGYz
To change the airstones i have to remove the skimmer from the system and break the seal around the airtube and just turn the skimmer upside down and push the tube back in to the skimmer and pull the airstone out the top. I did this already to make sure it was possible. Its not fun but it can be done.
it does pump hot air but so far my tank temp hasn't changed. Still run at 81-82 with halides on.

 

[camanuch]

what brand is the non toxic pvc glue?

 

[zman1]

Originally Posted by camanuch
On the bottom where the flange is, what did you use to seal the bottom of the skimmer. The flange I have is open on the bottom so it won't bewater tight. Please help I want to get mine up and running as soon as possible. Thanks.
You have to get one that has a knockout in it and don't knock it out...

[/QUOTE]

 

[yerboy]

Originally Posted by camanuch
what brand is the non toxic pvc glue?
I use Oatey.

 

[camanuch]

so I finally got the skimmer up and running for like 4 days now and still no foam. Any ideas as to why? I would put pics up but my camera is broke. I think my water level is not high enough inside the skimmer. Is that possible? As for pumps I'm using one air wisper 10 and a 2 valve tetra pump( not sure what model). Any and all help is greatly appreciated. I used the design that you sent me I only didnt use the ball valve back to the tank. Willing to try and add one and see if I can slow the water flow back to the tank to raise the water level in skimmer and let the air hit the water more. But please any help is greatly appreciated.