DIY- Mesh Mod

[BillyFSU]

Anyone done the mesh mod on their protein skimmers yet? My sedra3500 on my ASM pooped out so I need to order a new one and I think I'm going to try the mesh mod on the extra impeller.


I need some enkamat mesh if anyone has any extra. If not I might order a free sample and will likely have an extra if anyone is interested.

[adnup]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9964537#post9964537 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BillyFSU
free sample
And who is offering this?

[BillyFSU]

I can request extras if you need some. It doesn't take much for the mod.


http://www.colbond-usa.com/literatureRequest.html

[mflamb]

I think WarDaddy is looking for some.

[SoundsFishy2me2]

Hey that sounds great, if you do get some extra I'd like to try that MOD on mine as well or will pich in for a purchase if needed.

[BillyFSU]

Okay I got my enkamat mesh in. I barely had enough to do my own but they did send me some samples of some other mesh that is a bit thicker in width. I just fired the skimmer up a few minutes ago but its appears the froth is much, much thicker. I'll give it a week to compare to just running with the normal needlewheel. Here's some pics of the mod:

When the fiancee wasn't looking I took a steakknife and just hacked the needlewheels off the spinner:

http://www.photohost.org/gallery/data/500/428NW_Prop-med.jpg


http://www.photohost.org/gallery/data/500/428NW_Prop2-med.jpg


After the last pic I drilled 4 small holes directly above the holes already in the spinner. I then laid 3 layers of mesh on the spinner and tied it down with 4 twisty ties. I then trimmed the outside of the mesh to fit the spinner, and then trimmed out the center to make room for the ceramic shaft and washer.

[img]http://www.photohost.org/gallery/data/500/428Mesh_Mod-med.jpg


From the back,

http://www.photohost.org/gallery/data/500/428Mesh_Mod2-med.jpg


I also bored out the stock venturi to accommodate for increased air demand.

I'll report back in a week with the performance.


FYI I used this thread for instructions;

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/printthread.php?s=&threadid=991162&perpage=25&pagenumber=9

[BillyFSU]

Found some places you can order enkamat pretty cheaply.

Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Enkamat-PF4-25-thickness-for-mesh-mods_W0QQitemZ160119877641QQihZ006QQcategoryZ66784QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Larger pieces at Aquatic Eco-Systems:

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/4323