easy as pie euro-skimmer

[qwuintus]

questions:
1. what makes this diy skimmer so good? the venturi?
2. is this comparable to those nice skimmers that use mazzzi ventuirs?
3. would this skimmer work differen with a mazzi venturi? im thinking your already using 40 to make this skimmer why not a bit more for a mazzi?
4. instead of usingi the bottles for the cut and body, what if i just build the venturi you all have been using but hook it up to my cpr instead. would it be good?

[Tek]

Some reason this DIY skimmer is easier to understand then the other I have seen. I am going to have some fun making a few different ones for comparison. Thanks for sharing your ideas

[sdr209]

I think topjimmy is a little burnt from answering all these questions!

[SaM dA MaN]

I think topjimmy is a little burnt from answering all these questions

Hehe yeah.
Any way what better way to reply than with another question.

What would happen if a venturi wasnt used?

[topjimmy]

I don't mind answering any questions. It's great to be able to help out fellow reefers.

The venturi is the source of the air/water mix. It would not do anything but pump water without it.

Why is this skimmer so good? Really all I did was look for a cheap way to duplicate to a degree a Euro-Reef. I saw no reason to shell out two or three hundred dollars for something I could make for about $50 if you include the pump. It definitely has performed well above my expectations and it was so easy to make anyone can do it.

The drawing I made up is in MicroStation..I'll convert it to tiff and post it this week.

Keep the questions coming!

Later,
JimC.

[headshrink]

So it is kind a like a carborator

[SaM dA MaN]

I saw no reason to shell out two or three hundred dollars for something I could make for about $50

True that.
So what would happen if a venturi wasnt used and water was just pumped through, without the mix of air?
(im still trying to work out how skimmers actually work)

[johndawg]

Sam,
Check out this link for info on what a skimmer is used for:http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/...nSkimming.html
Good Luck,
John

[SaM dA MaN]

thanks for the link.
Does this skimmer make much noise topjimmy?

[GregG.]

Hey Guys,

I've been playing around with the venturi for a week or so....and think I've finally tuned it just right. It seems that a 3/16" opening on the 1/2" tee (under the air intake) yields just the right amount of air to water flow. Too large of an opening allows the pump (mag 5) to suck in too much water, and an opening that is too small "chokes" the pump.


-Greg

[qwuintus]

Dont you mean that too large of an opening will make the mag5 suck too much air? What makes skimmers work well is the venturi, so are you guys saying this cheap little diy venturi is extremely good? what if for a few more bucks you pick up a commercial one?Stll saving lots compared to the real deal.

[SaM dA MaN]

oh and just one more question (Im full of 'em).
What size tank did you use this skimmer for.

[wharfrat48]

Just wanted to thank TopJimmy for his great (and cheap) DIY skimmer. Just finished putting the final touches on mine and it's working great. I made quite a few mods to TJ original plans, but the basics are the same. I am using a RIO 2100 w/the venturi adapter so I didn't make my own. My water supply is coming off a T from my drain, and the RIO input and output are inside the skimmer. Increased the height of the skimmer with a 4" collar. Adjusting the foam output was the trickiest part, just moved the output height up/down until I got the skimmate the consistency I wanted. Put a drain off the collection container and have it going into a 1/2g milk jug.

I am just starting my first reef tank and am doing alot of DIY projects to save $$$. Pump and venturi 30$-- parts about 20$. Not sure way anyone would spend 200-500$ for the same thing (although it isn't the coolest looking piece of equipment).

Thanks again

Rich

[qwuintus]

So is it the design of the skimmer or the pump/venturi that makes it so good?

[toogie42]

I was wondering if I can set this skimmer on the bottom of my sump, or if I need to put it on a platform because of water level. Is there some rule about depth of water it can sit in?

[Red_Roadster]

Warfrat48,

Any pics of your skimmer?

Red

[wharfrat48]

Haven't bought the digital camera yet (looking for a good deal, any suggestions?) It's very similiar to a Deltec skimmer (http://www.deltecaquariumsolutions.com/skimmers_3.php) except with different materials. The only other thing I might try is to add a needlewheel impeller. If you have any specific questions just ask---eventually I'll get a camera It really is very easy.

Toogie-- I have mine set on the bottom of the sump. The output level I decided on happens to be just above the water level of the sump.

Rich

[lakedawgs]

As far as digi cameras go, I just bought the Nikon 4300, 4 megapixel.
Got great ratings from Consumer Reports and online.
I have been very happy with it.
Good Luck,
lakedawgs

[Ryan]

I have though about making mine w/ 2 Maxi Jet 1200's, and 2 inputs. Could this cause more problems than it's worth? I have two of these laying around and want to put them both into use.

[qwuintus]

alright i gathered parts for the skimmer. i may not use this though but basically here are all the parts.
first here are the containers.
1gallon $3.79
2 qt. $2.99 got them at OSH, and they had square ones too.

[qwuintus]

Here's the female on the bottle.
4" female adapter $4.29

[qwuintus]

Alright here we have a 4"-3" adapter labelled as a sewer and drain adapter. They didnt have it in PVC so its ABS.
I just stuck the thing in the female PVC and dont play on gluing it. It comes apart rather easy if I need to empty the skimate, but after running it in a system Im pretty sure it will get stuck so there are other methods which I will explain at the end.
Also inside the 3" part is a rubber bushing that converts to 2".
I will silicone it to hell inside the abs adapter.
(i didnt buy the 2" pipe for the riser as I dont know if im going to keep this.)


4-3" adapter- 5.99
bushing- 2.99

[qwuintus]

Alright this is a NO-HUB Coupling $4.49. Its got some metal thing on it that can probably come off but its not going to hit the water anyways as I put it in my sump and looked at it already so I left it.
Actually I planned on leaving it even before I put it in the sump.
Alright well this part comes over the 4"-3" adapter and the other end is where the 2 qt. attaches to. tighten with the clamps provided- only thing is that you need a lug wrench because there are no slots for a screwdriver.

[qwuintus]

Alright last pic of it all done w/o riser tube.
no glue except silicone is required for this skimmer. Oh but then there is the plumbing so maybe some more silicone for the pvc parts and for the male/female parts needed after the bottles are drilled. I were a size 9 and its a bit angled, but there is a comparison for you guys. It's about 20-25" tall.

$23.74 total
+
$3.89 for aquarium sealant.
This is just my version, you can go without the rubber parts but the riser would be too tall and where I live it was only in abs and I didnt like all the darkness.

Ways to empty the skimate:
1. unscrew white pvc
2. the 4-3" adapter slip off
note: after usuage the saltwater will probably mate these parts and make it rather difficult to take apart.
edit: its going to be out of water so who cares...

Ok for you wizards out there, I got some questions.

1. definately what makes this skimmer work is the pump/venturi, what if I used the mag 5 w/ diy venturi and fitted it to my CPR backpak? Wouldnt you think it would do just a good as job? Its allt he pump anyways...


2. If I keep this:
how high should the riser be?
Where should the input and output be?
Should I put an elbow for the input? face up or down?
if someone drew it up and re-pposted it would help. thanx
HTH

[qwuintus]

oops