5 Gal bucket skimmer & calcium reactor - Page 2

stugray · #26 02/17/2007, 01:12 AM

Ok,

I got some pics...

Here are the basic parts of the skimmer body:

When those parts fit acceptably, it looks like this:

Then to form the dome, you need a 3-4 inch PVC adapter and a 3" to 3" slip adapter ( the pic shows a cap not a coupling ):

Once you have cut the 4" section from the adapter, you have a perfect PVC cone to glue into the funnel.

Cut off the small end of the funnel to the size of the PVC adapter so that it fits tightly.

I used marine goop for the joint from the adapter to the funnel. The slip/slip 3" adapter glued down tightly on top of that with PVC glue:

Next is the collection cup:

And finally the riser tube:

That pretty much completes the dome, riser tube, & collection cup.

The Coll. cup & riser tube are both pressfit, so they can be removed for adjustment & cleaning.

Stu

onehawksfan · #27 02/17/2007, 02:13 AM

I'd love to see a pic of your collection cup full of skimmate!

caribbeanguy · #28 02/17/2007, 09:29 AM

sweet thanks got it now. All I have to do is find a 12 inch funnel all I am finding is 10 inch ones, this is an absolute beast

caribbeanguy · #29 02/17/2007, 10:08 AM

ah thanks vic did not see this post

caribbeanguy · #30 02/17/2007, 10:36 AM

Got it thanks Vic Should ship out monday then I will start the build

caribbeanguy · #31 02/19/2007, 07:29 PM

Stu how tall is that riser tube in the tupperware?

alpine · #32 07/19/2007, 10:01 PM

Thats pretty cool,I always knew those buckets would come in handy for something.I used to use an IO bucket for kalkwasser top off back in the day.

wmfsoll2 · #33 11/30/2007, 12:33 PM

Very Interesting, I think I May Give This A Try.

Bill.

Kung · #34 11/30/2007, 02:49 PM

I may build this skimmer

Myrddraal · #35 12/05/2007, 01:47 PM

Can you give some more details on the Ca reactor too? They both look great!

Giga · #36 12/05/2007, 01:58 PM

yeah i'm looking to build a ca reactor too!

JaredWaites · #37 12/05/2007, 02:42 PM

Stu,

Great build on the skimmer and Ca reactor. Very DIY. I like it.

tcmfish · #38 12/05/2007, 03:56 PM

How is this skimmer performing today? Any updates I am interested in building one.

thor32766 · #39 12/05/2007, 09:34 PM

wow that is just awesome!!!please post more detailed pics if possible.

stugray · #40 12/05/2007, 10:34 PM

caribbeanguy,

"Stu how tall is that riser tube in the tupperware?"

That piece was about a 12" piece.
I have since adjusted the length many times. The riser tube just pulls out for easy change or cleaning. Running ~9" now.

Myrddraal,

"Can you give some more details on the Ca reactor too? They both look great!"

Yes, the reactor body was just scrap from the local acrylics shop.
The lid is just drilled & tapped 1/4-20 nylon bolts from HD with a poly gasket.

The pump is an eheim. The CO2 input line is the red one.
The input & output are john guest fittings ( white ) on the input & output of the pump.

The bulkheads are just threaded unions with a close pipe nipple, an O-ring, and an elbow ( on the inside) for the seal.

The 'stand' inside is just more nylon bolts and a piece of Acrylic with that polyfilter & eggcrate on top.

I have since replaced the flexible vinyl tube with rigid PVC because of algae growth.

tcmfish

"How is this skimmer performing today? Any updates I am interested in building one."

It is performing great today. After making constant adjustments to it, I finally concluded it was flow THROUGH the skimmer that was causing my frustration. It was driven by an overflow from the display above, and when levels changed, this overflow would slow way down. Now that I figured that out it runs great.

Stu

a1amap · #41 12/05/2007, 11:10 PM

This is so cool looking and so different. I am going to make one just to say I did. Got to give you props. Nice job

thrillreefer · #42 12/05/2007, 11:31 PM

They make 1 gallon buckets for painting, so this could be downsized to a less insane, no-so-gigantor size. Would it matter if the lid to the bucket does not screw on but rather is a snap on lid (with rubber gasket)? Probably easier to locate an ~8 inch funnel as well.

GuySmilie · #43 12/06/2007, 12:52 AM

I'm diggin this fat squat shape for virtually free, compared to a comparable sized chunk of $cast acrylic$.
Has anyone built Stu's skimmer in a recirc version, instead of a Beckett? If so, please share your specs.

stugray · #44 12/06/2007, 09:14 AM

GuySmilie,

It IS a recirculating Beckett.

Stu

GuySmilie · #45 12/06/2007, 10:04 AM

Yeah, I realize that.
I should have stated that as a conventional (non-Beckett) needlewheel or meshwheel recirc.

tcmfish · #46 12/06/2007, 02:58 PM

Sorry I am not familiar with the beckett style could you elaborate on that some more. Thanks.

McStallen · #47 12/06/2007, 04:09 PM

I think I did it Beckett-style once before- with Bernard

tcmfish · #48 12/06/2007, 06:05 PM

bump

GuySmilie · #49 12/06/2007, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tcmfish
Sorry I am not familiar with the beckett style could you elaborate on that some more. Thanks.

Google is your friend. http://tinyurl.com/2hbto2

DamnPepShrimp · #50 12/06/2007, 07:16 PM

Stu, ok I figured out how you made the skimmer, at least the funnel and collection cup. I am confused on the whole plumbing/becket concept. Can you go into more detail? I've always used venturi skimmers, would this work with this style skimmer? I am in need of a good skimmer for my 360g FOWLR, think this will handle it? What tank to do you have this on and what do you think the rating is for this skimmer? Thanks for your help! btw nice work!