Go

[guysmiley]

I thought about using a 5 Gal bottle a couple of years ago but couldn't figure out how to make it work. Way to go! Looks like you figured it out!

I wouldn't worry about the temp seal if it's in the sump.


Garrick.

[Dale]

The bottles are polycarbonate.
The silicone will probably hold for ever as it is not under pressure and it's in the sump anyways (as indicated) but others have used marine Goop when permanently sealing these bottles. The bond will be stronger than the bottle itself.
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[christyf5]

Wow thats just awesome! I never would have thought of that application for a 5G carboy

[Chin_Lee]

very cool idea. this could be a very effective skimmer for people on a budget. just a question - how will you clean the bottle neck if it gets gunked up?
At present, I wet skim on my beckett now and only requires cleaning every 9-10 days and because sometimes the foam level drops and starts to gunk up the riser column and the more the riser gunks up, the harder it is for the foam to rise.

[Chin_Lee]

OK thinking about my own question on the previous post: just wondering how effective it would be if you were to make the top removable? I'm wondering if a long elastic band that can be used to loop around two opposite bulkheads (sedra intake bulkhead and small pump feed bulkhead) and crisscross them at the funnel to hold down the top. Will that be enough pressure to hold down the top for the foam to spit out the top?

Originally Posted by Chin_Lee

very cool idea. this could be a very effective skimmer for people on a budget. just a question - how will you clean the bottle neck if it gets gunked up?
At present, I wet skim on my beckett now and only requires cleaning every 9-10 days and because sometimes the foam level drops and starts to gunk up the riser column and the more the riser gunks up, the harder it is for the foam to rise.

[Dale]

Good trouble shooting Chin!
This is why one should test things out before permanently sealing them. In my case I had a plan but lacked the parts (I was in a big fat hurry). I will insert a 1 1/2" ABS threaded coupler before the elbow so that I can remove the skimmate drain and use a bottle washing brush inside. I imagine your solution would work too, especially if you could place an O ring on the neck to prevent the skimmate from seeping out between the neck and the ABS elbow.
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[Chin_Lee]

Dale
any update to your skimmer? interested in its performance.

[KicksNJ]

I know this is a old post, but I was wondering if anyone knew what size tank this DIY skimmer would handle. Also has anyone else try to make one?

[untamed]

I suppose you could even stack three together to make a larger skimmer. Add additional pumps... scalable to any size tank! Very cool.

As far as how it might perform...I'm thinking that the neck is a bit narrow...one could add a bubble diffuser at the bottom. Other than that, it should work as well as any other Sedra pump based NW skimmer. What does it matter if it is made of polycarb instead of acrylic as long as the water doesn't fall out the sides!

[KicksNJ]

Thanks Untamed .... I also agree about the materials. I used to work in a camera shop another life time ago way before digital and computers. I always
said you can have the crappiest camera body but it was the "LENS" thats taking the pictures. Its the "pump" thats making the bubbles. plus Im
showing off my display tank not my sump Just one more question what
is the purpose for the bubble plate?

Tanks.... Bill