My new Deltech based DIY skimmer

[CHEAPREEF]

Originally Posted by Jack

Just wondering if you had another project in mind with the pinwheel impeller.

Like what?

Clinton

[Jack]

Just a Euro-Reef.

Any pics of the new skimmer running?

[CHEAPREEF]

Oh, ok. Here are a few pics of it after about 18hrs of breakin. Didn't really start to even foam in the riser until 12hrs in.




Clinton

[Jack]

That's pretty cool. Not a bad little design.

I guess this is running on your little cube tank?

[LostMind]

hmmm, after looking at it closely, I think I understand how this works...

feed the skimmer with a small pump from your tank... or overflow in this case...

the two maxijets grab the water from the bottom, suck up some air thru the hose you have dialed into your pvc intake pipe somehow...

the modified maxijet impeller churns the crap outta the water and air to make tiny bubbles...

all makes sense now.

Got 1 question tho...

If you flipped the maxijets return and intake, would it increase the efficiency of the skimmer?

[CHEAPREEF]

Originally Posted by LostMind

Got 1 question tho...

If you flipped the maxijets return and intake, would it increase the efficiency of the skimmer?

Most likely would be better if i mounted the pumps lower, but you need a venturi on the intake to pull the air in. I might have been ale to get another 1" lower but that's about it. The overflow runs about 550gph throught the skimmer and the maxijets recirculate the water and air. Here are a few more pics of the venturis ect.


1/4"air intake.



Here's what i used for the union, 4" pvc and cap and plug.





Clinton

[LostMind]

ahhh, mounting it lower makes sense.

I really like this idea... can you post a couple of updates for me?

[mnoll406]

Hey Clinton,
How did you mount the pinwheel impellers in the powerhead? Also what is the venturi, and where did you get the pieces for it? More pics and description would be great.

Mike

[CHEAPREEF]

Here's how i did the venturi, the parts used are
1/2" barb to slip joint fitting(gray fitting)
tip from a silicone tube (screw on type)
1/4" 90 deg (from garden section home depot)
section o 1/2" pvc

Here is the parts cut and readdy to go into the pvc. They are justpush fit as i wanted to be able to take all this apart if it didn't work. The barb fitting is 1 3/8" long, silicone tube end 2 /34" long and the pvc is 3 1/4" long




Here is the 1/4" 90deg i used, you have to take the barb down on one side to fit it in the hole you drill.


Drill a 5/32" hole 3/16" up from the barb fitting end of the pvc, once everything is pushed together firmly.


And here it is all put together, the end that goes over the pump input had to be heated slitly to fit. Just heat it with a lighter ect just till it softens and push it on so it's a snug fit.


Clinton

[CHEAPREEF]

The output of the pump also has to be moded to fit. The 1/2" pvc is pushed over a piece of 1/2" vinyl tube and heated. Tighten a hose clamp over it so it's just firm, let it cool down and remove the clamp and you'll have a snug air tight fit that can be removed later. Vinyl tube is 3/4" long and the 1/2" tube is 2 1/2" long.




Clinton