Ereefic
08/29/2006, 10:58 AM
I've seen a bunch of people looking to buy these (and there not cheap) so thought I'd show how to make one for around $10. :D
I've used these on Beckett skimmers.
Materials you'll need.
2 - 1.5" endcaps
Small length of 1.5" PVC Pipe (about 4"-5", depends)
1 - Ping Pong ball
2 - Hose barb x MPT (size depends on your drain hose)
Plastic container ( Must have flat lid ) (I bought mine at Menards, it had 5 lbs. of pretzels in it)(Burb!)
Drill and drill bits
Your going to need a hole in each end cap (centered), but your going to need to thread one of your hosebarb fittings into the hole, so it will need to be the correct size for that. The hole in the other end cap can be the same size.
On the cap where the hose barb will be screwed into, drill some smaller holes around the rim (vents). You'll see what I mean in the pics.
Go ahead and take your length of PVC pipe and put it in one endcap, put the ping pong ball inside and put the other cap on, do not glue anything.
Pretty easy huh? Your almost done. :)
Take the lid and drill it out so you can screw in the 2 hose barbs, leaving enough room between the holes so you can attach the ping pong ball apparatus to one of the hose barbs, on the bottom of the lid. Be careful drilling the lid as it is easy to crack
If you've drilled it out successfully, screw your 2 hose barbs into the holes, then screw the PVC part (with the vent holes at the top) into one of the hose barbs on the underside of the lid. Screw the lid on the container and your done!
When the container fills, the ping pong ball will rise and cover the vent, stopping the skimmers air intake and prevent flooding of stinky skimmate.
Should look something like this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v507/ereefic/IMG_4345Small.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v507/ereefic/IMG_4342Small.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v507/ereefic/IMG_4344Small.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v507/ereefic/IMG_4343Small.jpg
I've used these on Beckett skimmers.
Materials you'll need.
2 - 1.5" endcaps
Small length of 1.5" PVC Pipe (about 4"-5", depends)
1 - Ping Pong ball
2 - Hose barb x MPT (size depends on your drain hose)
Plastic container ( Must have flat lid ) (I bought mine at Menards, it had 5 lbs. of pretzels in it)(Burb!)
Drill and drill bits
Your going to need a hole in each end cap (centered), but your going to need to thread one of your hosebarb fittings into the hole, so it will need to be the correct size for that. The hole in the other end cap can be the same size.
On the cap where the hose barb will be screwed into, drill some smaller holes around the rim (vents). You'll see what I mean in the pics.
Go ahead and take your length of PVC pipe and put it in one endcap, put the ping pong ball inside and put the other cap on, do not glue anything.
Pretty easy huh? Your almost done. :)
Take the lid and drill it out so you can screw in the 2 hose barbs, leaving enough room between the holes so you can attach the ping pong ball apparatus to one of the hose barbs, on the bottom of the lid. Be careful drilling the lid as it is easy to crack
If you've drilled it out successfully, screw your 2 hose barbs into the holes, then screw the PVC part (with the vent holes at the top) into one of the hose barbs on the underside of the lid. Screw the lid on the container and your done!
When the container fills, the ping pong ball will rise and cover the vent, stopping the skimmers air intake and prevent flooding of stinky skimmate.
Should look something like this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v507/ereefic/IMG_4345Small.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v507/ereefic/IMG_4342Small.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v507/ereefic/IMG_4344Small.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v507/ereefic/IMG_4343Small.jpg