Pads DIY Skimmer

Pads

Pads

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During the process of setting up my 5ft tank I was looking around for a new skimmer.
Needless to say I was a little shocked to see the amount of money I needed to shell out.

So I undertook to build my own. After some research and inspiration of ToppDoggs DIY Skimmer. I set off to the hardware to collect the parts.

The first attempt saw me attach an inlet pipe of 20mm and outlet of 20mm, First big mistake. The skim cup overflowed immediately using a 2000l/h pump. First Lesson Learned. Then I had to re-drill a larger hole around that fitting. Not easy but I managed.

Next once that was complete I got my OPT-2000 and with the 32mm outlet, connected it up and off we went This time the bubble level reached only 3/4 the way up the cylinder.
So I had to cut off 60mm off the top down (to 340mm from 400mm) and redo the neck again.

Finally its done, not the neatest job but with a little planning, and the use on my new Dremel, we can get the joins a little neater using PVC weld. Here are the pics.

11094b73ae06a7ff0.jpg


11094b73ae3b53d71.jpg
 
OK, Pads, stop holding out on us, where did you get that pipe?????.... the cost of perspex tubing is the biggest cost excl the pump
 
Neil H said:
OK, Pads, stop holding out on us, where did you get that pipe?????.... the cost of perspex tubing is the biggest cost excl the pump
Click to expand...

Yeah tell me bout it, I went to Plastic world and they quoted like R700 or 800 per meter. Ouch!!! So I went to Maizeys and got PVC, like R350 odd per meter. So I've got a 400mm and 100mm piece waiting to be made into another one.
 
any idea of the diameter pvc pipes available?
 
durleo said:
Nice Work Pads - How are you controlling the water level in the skimmer body?
Now we have to see it in action!
Click to expand...

For sure. I put it into a bucket with some DT water to see about the water level. It seems that the water level in the chamber is ratio of the pressure on the outlet(thus most have valves) and the height of the water that surrounds the outside the chamber.

Also the taller the outlet pipe the greater the pressure then the higher the water level in the chamber. But a higher pressure effects the performance of the pump and venturi thus limiting the amount of bubbles. A little more complicated than initially expected.


I've personally done a DIY control type cap valve which you turn horizontally to limit flow to increase the water height.


Dane said:
awesome DIY job! Skimmers are a formidable cost. Excited to see how well it works!
Click to expand...

Dude so am I. My little JEBO has done me proud, believe it or not, but its days are numbered. I'll post pic of the skimmer in action soon.
 
i hope its ok to post here

prices on perpex

black-3mm -R423.58 per square m2
black-5mm -R650.63 per square m2
white-3mm -R358.11 per square m2
white-5mm -R549.43 per square m2

prices on acrylic tuber per m2

ACRYLIC TUBE XT 25/19 MM 1.000 M 103.21 2010/02/11 103.21
AXT030024 ACRYLIC TUBE XT 30/24 MM 1.000 M 95.64 2010/02/11 95.64
AXT038032 ACRYLIC TUBE XT 38 / 32 MM 1.000 M 107.28 2010/02/11 107.28
AXT050042 ACRYLIC TUBE XT 50/42 MM 1.000 M 225.98 2010/02/11 225.98
AXT110104 ACRYLIC TUBE XT 110/104 MM 1.000 M 385.68 2010/02/11 385.68
AXT200194 ACRYLIC TUBE XT 200/194 MM 1.000 M 658.82 2010/02/11 658.82
AXT300292 ACRYLIC TUBE XT 300/292 MM 1.000 M 2,485.82 2010/02/11

prices are from maizeys east london as of yesterday.

i can cant wait to see this sucker fired up buck.
 
leslie hempel said:
i hope its ok to post here

prices on perpex

black-3mm -R423.58 per square m2
black-5mm -R650.63 per square m2
white-3mm -R358.11 per square m2
white-5mm -R549.43 per square m2

prices on acrylic tuber per m2

ACRYLIC TUBE XT 25/19 MM 1.000 M 103.21 2010/02/11 103.21
AXT030024 ACRYLIC TUBE XT 30/24 MM 1.000 M 95.64 2010/02/11 95.64
AXT038032 ACRYLIC TUBE XT 38 / 32 MM 1.000 M 107.28 2010/02/11 107.28
AXT050042 ACRYLIC TUBE XT 50/42 MM 1.000 M 225.98 2010/02/11 225.98
AXT110104 ACRYLIC TUBE XT 110/104 MM 1.000 M 385.68 2010/02/11 385.68
AXT200194 ACRYLIC TUBE XT 200/194 MM 1.000 M 658.82 2010/02/11 658.82
AXT300292 ACRYLIC TUBE XT 300/292 MM 1.000 M 2,485.82 2010/02/11

prices are from maizeys east london as of yesterday.

i can cant wait to see this sucker fired up buck.
Click to expand...

Hey Les, you forgot PVC :whistling: I find it easy to work with as most of the plumbing fitting are PVC so you only need one sealant for both. But if you welding then that's another case all together.
 
Pads said:
Yeah tell me bout it, I went to Plastic world and they quoted like R700 or 800 per meter. Ouch!!! So I went to Maizeys and got PVC, like R350 odd per meter. So I've got a 400mm and 100mm piece waiting to be made into another one.
Click to expand...

And I've visited Plastic World often..yep cost of acrylic, way to high. I had no idea u can actualy get clear pvc...shot for letting us know.

Will have to visit Maizeys and check for myself.

Skimmer looks very professionally done :thumbup:.
 
hey pads nice to see yo finally did it, just one thing like the other guys said aswell put a valve on the pipe on side of chamber as it is easier to control level of water in chamber have a look at my thread you will see what i am talking about .other than that well done buddy looks really good now fire her up and lets see how she works
 
Hi Leslie,
Is this clear acrylic tube and are the first two numbers the inside and outside diameters?


ACRYLIC TUBE XT 25/19 MM 1.000 M 103.21 2010/02/11 103.21
AXT030024 ACRYLIC TUBE XT 30/24 MM 1.000 M 95.64 2010/02/11 95.64
AXT038032 ACRYLIC TUBE XT 38 / 32 MM 1.000 M 107.28 2010/02/11 107.28
AXT050042 ACRYLIC TUBE XT 50/42 MM 1.000 M 225.98 2010/02/11 225.98
AXT110104 ACRYLIC TUBE XT 110/104 MM 1.000 M 385.68 2010/02/11 385.68
AXT200194 ACRYLIC TUBE XT 200/194 MM 1.000 M 658.82 2010/02/11 658.82
AXT300292 ACRYLIC TUBE XT 300/292 MM 1.000 M 2,485.82 2010/02/11
cheers
 
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