downdraft skimmer help

[nickxx4360]

Can anyone post a simple step by step on How to make a downdraft skimmer?? I have the basic tools, no drilll press.
I read threads but they all seem to be a little complicated. Thanks!!
My fish would love it ;-)

[nickxx4360]

Can someone please help me out????????
Thanks!!

[maximus89]

Alot of questons would need to be how much space do you have to build it in,is it going in the sump, external, hang 0n what gives? What kind of tools do you have a router, zip saw and a table saw are very esental to the success of your diy skimmer. I would make it a beckett most if not all have converted to this style of skimmer.

[nickxx4360]

Thanks, I will post details shortly.

[nickxx4360]

Ok, I have a 60 teeth table saw, clamps, a router drill, a regular drill and, ¼ acrylic, weld-on 4 and 16. I have a 20gal High aga I am using for a sump. The left side of the sump has a wet/dry trickle filter setup. The right side has a return pump. I have 21 inches of height to play with under my stand. If that’s not enough, I can sit the skimmer beside my tank.
If some one has plans on how to build a beckett skimmer, That would be great also. Attached is a pic of the space I am working with. Thanks.

[maximus89]

I realize the vertical distance is very important I would also like to know if you can put a box this size in your sump LxW=8.5"x5.5"

[nickxx4360]

I have 13 length and 10" width to play with. Thanks for the fast reply max!!

[maximus89]

No since under building if you have that much space!

Box footprint: 10"x6"x6" material 1/4" cast acrylic

cutlist:
o.oversize slightly and router to dimension
1. 2@ 10.125x6.125 or a little bigger I will explain latter
2. 2@ 10x5.5
3. 2@ 5.5x5.5

Parts you will need:
1. weld on 4 and syringe aplicator
2. 1' of 5" od extruded tubing
3. 1' of 2.5 od extruded tubing
4. the box
5.some extra acrylic to make flanges

fabrication:
1. Get the top "10.125x6.125" you will need to lay this out draw a center line down the middle of the width then measure a distance lenght wise of 3.25 and and other at 8inch those will be the centers of your 5" and 2.5" circles now the fun part cutting them out you can use hole saws but you will need to undersize them and router to size drill them under water and kind of osillate the hole saw and it leaves a remarkable cut on acrylic.

2.YOU will have to decide where you want your return to come out of the end or the side? lets stop here and if you need any help let me know that will keep you busy for a while!

[nickxx4360]

WOW!! thanks. I did some research on the beckett skimmers. What model injector should I use, 1403, 1405, or 1408. I saw them @ home depot fot 14.97 each.

[maximus89]

If it was me I wouldnt use the beckett either I have a very effecient skimmer and It isnt a beckett,dd,or a venturi either it is a spray injected but you would have to pm me to talk about it. The 1408 is the one you want I think and if your hd has them that is great buy one that is what they are going for online! To make the injector housing you would have to see zephrants or cheapreefs diy pages

[maximus89]

I made my own injector from scratch took about 20 tries and 4 hours later I had the perfect injector. I cant speak of these because they are copyrighted but would be glad to tell you how if you private message me. But if you want the beckett hey all the power to you the only thing you would have to change is the injector highth and the injector on my skimmer to make it a beckett!

[nickxx4360]

here are the parts

[maximus89]

Have you glued it already? what od is the injector riser?

[nickxx4360]

2.5 inch