surfjeepzx
06/03/2007, 04:02 PM
I just had to try it before I get my G-3. What a difference in the skimmer with no fuss and I haven't touched the plumbing on it once for adjustment since I did the mod. Even with this thing cranking like it is I have too much bioload in my tank and have to go mo bigger. This is a Pro Clear Aquatics model 250 with a rio 2100 pump.
The only thing I bought for this mod was the paint stripper wheel from Ace for ~$8. I had scrap pvc fittings and pipe, vinyl tubing, and ro rigid tubing for the venturi. I didn't take a picture of the impeller when I mod'd it as I wasn't sure it would work. Basically The mesh material you see is secured to the paddle blades. I reduced the width of the blades to make room for the mesh.
This is a reduced piece to fit the mod from the much larger wheel assembly.
<img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/586/87822P5150111.JPG">
Here's a top down shot. Notice the pipe from the pump to the skimmer is a straight shot. The air siphon section was removed and a pipe was installed with only an elbow. The pump flows unrestricted into the skimmer.
<img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/87822P6030151.JPG">
Here's a couple shots of the venturi in action. I found that I didn't have to reduce the venturi to increase the amount of air pulled in. By only turning the blue rigid tubing slightly which would vary the amount of siphon I could regulate the bubble hright and amount in the skimmer.
<img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/87822P6030150.JPG">
<img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/87822P6030148.JPG">
Here's the lower half
<img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/87822P6030153.JPG">
The upper half
<img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/87822P6030152.JPG">
And skimmate after about 12 hours. It's not too wet or dry, just right. <img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/87822P6030154.JPG">
It's worked very well and I've let it run longer than I intended. The original configuration never performed this well since the day it was new. I'll still be changing it out regardless but I thought it would be nice to try the mod. Another thing I noticed is with the restriction removed between the pump and body the return water moves so well it uses the whole diameter of the 1" overflow pipe which has really added to aeration.
The only thing I bought for this mod was the paint stripper wheel from Ace for ~$8. I had scrap pvc fittings and pipe, vinyl tubing, and ro rigid tubing for the venturi. I didn't take a picture of the impeller when I mod'd it as I wasn't sure it would work. Basically The mesh material you see is secured to the paddle blades. I reduced the width of the blades to make room for the mesh.
This is a reduced piece to fit the mod from the much larger wheel assembly.
<img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/586/87822P5150111.JPG">
Here's a top down shot. Notice the pipe from the pump to the skimmer is a straight shot. The air siphon section was removed and a pipe was installed with only an elbow. The pump flows unrestricted into the skimmer.
<img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/87822P6030151.JPG">
Here's a couple shots of the venturi in action. I found that I didn't have to reduce the venturi to increase the amount of air pulled in. By only turning the blue rigid tubing slightly which would vary the amount of siphon I could regulate the bubble hright and amount in the skimmer.
<img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/87822P6030150.JPG">
<img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/87822P6030148.JPG">
Here's the lower half
<img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/87822P6030153.JPG">
The upper half
<img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/87822P6030152.JPG">
And skimmate after about 12 hours. It's not too wet or dry, just right. <img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/87822P6030154.JPG">
It's worked very well and I've let it run longer than I intended. The original configuration never performed this well since the day it was new. I'll still be changing it out regardless but I thought it would be nice to try the mod. Another thing I noticed is with the restriction removed between the pump and body the return water moves so well it uses the whole diameter of the 1" overflow pipe which has really added to aeration.