rstar - The most costly part of the build was the pump, mainly because I wasn't able to DIY the volute.....until now
. I'll try to post some sketch-ups or CAD drawings of the volute if any CNC'ers are interested. I have a CNC project on the side but haven't had a chance to work on it yet.
I got the modified pump from SWC for $299.99. A laguna 1500 can be purchased for $126.95 (US i think)....and modified as well.
The acrylic I used was extruded which is roughly half the price of cast and is sold by the foot:
24885 7-1/2" x 8" Acrylic Tube Clear Extruded x 24" 1 $93.92 $93.92
24837 3-3/4" x 4" Acrylic Tube Clear Extruded x 12" 1 $10.34 $10.34
24844 5-3/4" x 6" Acrylic Tube Clear Extruded x 12" 1 $16.78 $16.78
24841 4-3/4" x 5" Acrylic Tube Clear Extruded x 12" 1 $13.98 $13.98
Sub Total: $135.02
Shipping: $0.00
HST: $17.55
Total: $152.57
Prices shown in Canadian funds
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I get acrylic sheet from Peidmont plactics who I give a call now and then to see if they have any off cuts available which I get for approx $5.00 sq ft.
The plumbing I already had but I would approximate $50.00
Pump - $299.99
Tube - $152.57
Sheet - 7 sq ft @ $5.00/sq ft. = $35.00
Plumbing - $50.00
Total = $537.00 (approx $364 if the pump was DIY'd)
A simliar skimmer would be the SWC XTREME 250A $549.99, for a cost savings of $10.00.
Why did I do this again ???....most DIY'ers would understand
lastlight - I would have like to add a smoother transition and may play around with it again, but I need some more practice with thermoforming and I've run out of scrap pieces for the time being. I might come back to this depending on how it performs.
Thanks all for the feedback and will update as I progress. I would like to move to the LED project next, but not until I get my water params under control
Here is a vid of the first test of the skimmer. Keep in mind that the tank has been set up for about 5 months now without a water change so the DOC's may be quite high, but I'm please with the initial results
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I'll leave it running for the time being and see what it pulls out.
http://www.youtube.com/user/bioload#p/a/u/0/-R6YFj28bxU