S'pore's Ugliest Hybrid DIY Skimmer...

[ervine]

Hi guys,

Before I begin, I should stress that the skimmer has NOT been tested on my tank yet (still fixing the leaks)... so I don't know how successful it will be and how safe it will be... But what the heck lah maybe u guys will be inspired to do something better...

I originally wanted to make a Aqu*C based spray injection skimmer so one day while shopping at Carrefour, I stumbled upon this new Koren tupperware called lock&lock... which I thought could be used to build the skimmer body... So I bought them...

but after a while I realised that the Aqu*C design won't work externally (unless I raised it) as such I was looking for alternatives...

A few months later I stumbled on reef central's Cheapreef's deltec based skimmer and I thought why not fuse the two together..

Bought a Maxijet 1200 (MJ) and twisted a 3/4 inch PVC pipe to constrict it into a venturi.. here's what it looks like..

[ervine]

Here's a view of the inside... drilled a small hole, shoved an airpipe elbow in and sealed it with superglue... the end of the pipe connected to the MJ is simply heated and fitted over the MJ input... added teflon tape as well for a better seal..

Oh.. there's a limit to how far it can twist.. I tore my first prototype...

Also.. this method saves quite a lot of space in that the venturi is much shorter than Cheapreef's.. although I don't know if it's more efficient..

[CalciumReef]

Interesting, do post more pictures

[ervine]

Interesting, do post more pictures

Posting.. posting.... still got a lot to go..

Ok ok.. so here's the MJ attaced to the mixing box... everything somehow fits perfectly... didn't even need to use any sealant to seal the joints...

[ervine]

Okay.. here's a saltwater test I did in my sump... look at those bubbles!! (and this is already toned down via the air valve)

Freshwater tests don't do justice to it...

BTW, I have not modded my MJ impeller yet... might not do it in the end in case I wanna reuse the MJ

[ervine]

So here are the parts I have used....

[ervine]

Okay here's one of the major problem areas... I had originally intended for the skimmer to be able to be dismantled completely.. however this particular joint proved to be a major leak area... coz the tupperware was:

1. Never meant to be upside down

2. Never meant to under go so much hydrostatic pressure..

So in the end no choice had to seal the mixing box lid and the connection between riser and mixing box together....

[ervine]

Luckily there isn't much pressure build up between the lower riser and the upper riser (er.. what's it supposed to be called?).. so still can be taken apart for maintenance...

[ervine]

Here's the skimmer working on freshwater... Unfortunately as mentioned I had to seal the two joints...

Still having some problems in the two joints but re-sealed them.. now leaving it to cure for an extended period of time...

[ervine]

Here's a close up of the freshwater bubbles.. can't really see them clearly but what the heck...

[ervine]

Okay that's all for the pics... perhaps someone can help me with some of the problems I'm facing..

1. It seems like the MJ becomes very loud after a particular point after I tune the air valve... any idea what's wrong?

2. The return pipe keeps "burping"... how to solve this?

Thanks... hope to fully test the skimmer on my tank soon.. too bad exams are around the corner and I'm back in hall mugging again.. sigh

[Achilles Tang]

WOW!! This is the most interesting DIY job I have ever seen! *mouth drops open*

[kschew1498]

Hi...thumbs up for you! Its not ugly at all! Well Done!!!

We need more people like you to escalate Singapore to the next level!!!! Keep it up brother!!!!

[hamannbmw]

wow.......... first time i hv seen someone using tubberware to built TUBBERSKIM ...... nice name huh keep it up.....

[Terryz_]

One of the nicer Diy skimmer i have seen... Stylo...

[ervine]

Thanks guys... but what about the problem of the noisy MJ and the burping return pipe? Any ideas?

Actually I am fearful of the lifespan of the tupperskim... it's not so much the plastic will give way, I'm more worried of the joints... they are the weakest part of the whole project... shucks.. hopefully when the sealants cure it will become sturdy as a rock...

Oh forgot to give a cost breakdown... here is a rough guide:

01 x Maxijet 1200 - $54 (most expensive part.. ouch!)

Tupperware - ~$20 (was on offer)

Sealant & Glues - ~$20 (used this thing called Marine Goop, Super Glue and Silicone)

Piping - ~$10

Misc - ~$5

Yup... so most expensive part was the maxijet.. if I had opted for a cheaper pump but run the skimmer internally than it would have been a lot cheaper....

[typrobin]

i think the noise is due to the impeller....tat's why needle wheel are silent...how many blades does the impeller have? i would suggest at least 6, so tat the noise will reduce and the bubbles finer too...

[typrobin]

i dunno wat kind of sealant are u using....but y not try epoxy resen? its quite tough...but i dunno whether it is reef safe...

[ervine]

Hm.... I believe it's a 5 blade impeller... i think i'll test it out on saltwater first.. hopefully it's not so noisy, if it still is then I'll consider modding it to a pinwheel...

Sealant I'm using Marine Goop, Silicone and Superglue for different areas... marine goop for the jointing, silicone to further waterproof and superglue for hairline cracks and certain smaller joints...

I thought of epoxy but it's quite troublesome to apply it on such a large area... Also, epoxy doesn't havethe flexibility that I require, since tupperware bends and flexes, its better to have a sealant that can withstand this. I was afraid epoxy might crack under flexure...

Hopefully after the sealant completly cures it'll become fully water tight...

[FuEl]

[Kalib]

Wow Looks so nice.

Do keep us updated on how well it skims.

[thc]

Great creation....double thumbs up

btw,i've posted the pic of the first test run on the pin wheel impeller.

[ervine]

Oh BTW.. I'm thinking of adding the venturi intake to my supply pump as well.. so even more bubbles!! But don't know how to go about it yet... coz the supply pump intake is a little different than the maxijet..

One thing at a time....

[Marineman]

using tubberware to built TUBBERSKIM ......

You mean TUPPERWARE and TUPPERSKIM, not Tubberskim?

Looks very interesting, would like to see the results.

[19percula]

bro i salute u manz