Feeding A Diy Skimmer

[xxBarneyxx]

Well I want to make a DIY skimmer, ideally without having to buy anything else

Not sure on the best way to feed the water and air into it though. I have a load of flow coming of the tee from my return pump in the sump which I could use. I was thinking of using this with a hole in the pipe and airline to pull air in like a venturi pump (not sure if this will work?)

I have a couple of smaller powerheads sitting around as well so maybe use one of these as a venturi pump and the return line for the water flow, then use a gate valve on the water output to control the level of water in the reaction chamber?

Or should I just use some limewood airstones and the water from the return pump?

 

[ben1987]

the big tmc skimmers use somehting like 3,400LPH pumps. Try looking on theri site at the manuals and see which you thing your skimmer would be most like.
oh and pics please

 

[rabbut]

Just remind me what volume your tank is again, and what type of injection you are most likely going to use. A Venturi on the feed to the skimmer will require a lot of flow to get good air input, so I'd look at other options ideally

 

[SkiFletch]

You CAN use a tee off the return line WITH a venturi, but it's not a great idea if you ask me. Very hard to tune it right. Easier would be to tee off the line for the supply of the skimmer, and then use a recirculating pump with a needleweel for air injection.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Thanks all for the advice. Dont suppose anyone can point me in the direction of needlewheel, recirculating pumps. Had a quick google search and found skimmers but no pumps (and not sure what Im really looking for on one).

 

[rabbut]

I'd likely go a simpler option if I did another DIY skimmer. Feed the skimmer with the feed from the return line. Inject air with an air-block. Uses less power than most recirculation pumps and is cheaper initially too... Should be just as efficient and requires minimal parts

All the best
Rabbut

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Thats what I was thinking initally. I have a couple of air pumps and just need some limewood blocks.

I have the pump off my orca nano which seem to have died but might see if I can fix that as well for an additional source of air input (think that is a needle wheel pump too, the impeller looks different to a normal one).

If it doesnt work then I will have a look around at needle wheel pumps. If it starts getting into the £40-50 range though I might as well buy a second hand skimmer (same issue I have with making my own wavebox ).

Will have a play around and see what I can come up with, if I get something that works halfway decently I will make sure I post a bit of a guide on here.

 

[rabbut]

I know most reasonably reliable recirculation pumps with needle wheels in the UK will come to more than a second hand skimmer. I'd look at the air block solution myself unless you really don't want an "off the shelf" modle, or just so happen to have the required pump lying arround that you've forgoten about

All the best
Rabbut

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Yeah thats what I thought (about the pump prices). I wanted to do a DIY LED lights and waveboox as well but again by the time you buy the parts its not much cheaper then just buying a commercial unit.

Going to give it a go with the air blocks first (and if I can get the pump out of the orca running will use that two). If it seems to work I will eventually ditch the drinks bottle and build something out of acrylic but just want to get a better idea of what works best first

 

[daveydave]

a needle wheel impellor is only different to normal by using 'neddles' ie. pins instead of vanes these reduce the bubbles pulled in via the venturi to micro bubbles. quite a few pumps have the option of after market needle wheels.
a decent air pump and wooden air 'stone' would be a better soloution to save cost, but the stones need replacing often.

 

[BigC]

You can also force air into it via a small air-pump rather than relying on the airline to draw the air in. Have you though about how you will regulate the skiimming either with taps or whatever.
Regards
C

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Yeah I thought if there was a tap on the water in and water out I should be able to control the water level with that.