The Making of my Skimmerbox C12

[chrisyew]

Spray Injection Skimmerbox C12

Introduction;

How the idea came about? Since the setup of my first nano marine tank (a standard 2ft tank), I'm using an Oceanfree HOB and a cheap $10 air driven limestone type of skimmer. The thing I hate about the HOB is the water splashing out of the tank, so I've to use a plastic to cover the top but the light still got wet. Also the 2 little compartment is hardly enough for my Aquaz Purephos Premium™ and the wool frost, and I don't have enough space for my carbon media. As for the cheap skimmer, the limestone needs changing every now and then and cleaning the skimmer is tough.

How it got started;

With ideas from Undertheradar's Wetworx diy skimmer;

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthr ... adid=58540

Reefer_Buddha's Nanomora;

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthr ... did=22469;

and also drawing ideas from BAK-PAK;

http://www.cpraquatic.com/products/bakpak2r.html

and Remora;

http://www.proteinskimmer.com/Remora.pdf,

I've come out with my DIY Skimmerbox. Probably a combination of all the above ideas haha.

The Skimmerbox should be;

- "Nano" in size.

- Good for my around 12 Gallon tank, or below.

- Incorporating a filter media with at least 3 compartments.

- Ease of use, maintenance, and cleaning.

And I named my DIY Skimmer;

Skimmerbox C12

(C12 as "by Chris" and for 12 Gallon tank or below).

The method is by Spray Injection. This skimmer is meant for nano tank 2ft or below.

The Details of the assembly are in my site at;

http://www.guppiesonli.com/pn/index.php?na...viewtopic&t=157

Overview of the Skimmer with the Support Base;

The Filter Media Box;

The Collection Cup;

Attaching to the tank;

The Inlet and Outlet;

Adjusting the bubbles;

Sorri for the not so professional look as this is my first DIY skimmer project. Any queries or remarks are welcome.

[flying carpet]

Bro how does it works? Is it a combo filter and skimmer?

Can enlighten me. Thank you.

[hotlemond]

hi chris,

its a nice job. the assembly looks great.

about the skimmer part, i have a few opinions.... but not to bring you down okay? these days the forum here... you know la..

1) Would it be better to have venturi instead of spray injection?

If I am not wrong spray injection requires a spray nozzel, quite similar to covering part of the hose outlet to spray high speed water into a bucket of detergent powder.

2) Would it be better to adopt the baffle plates similar to the prizm skimmer; convergent, divergent. It may just well helps longer dwelling time for the bubbles.

also, with a dept for phos/carbon media, its a waste to use mesh bag, which needs frequent maintenence (i know there's a word for this).

why not cut sponge to fit in top and bottom and have it work like a typical FR.

Of course the flow would have to be suitable for the media to "dance"

[chrisyew]

Bro how does it works? Is it a combo filter and skimmer?

Can enlighten me. Thank you.

Yes, basically it's a combo of both skimmer and filter like some commercial brand having it. I'm using it to replace my HOB and air driven skimmer.

This skimmer is made strictly for small size tank like mine 2ft as the pump used is onli the Compact 600l/hr.

[chrisyew]

hi chris,

its a nice job. the assembly looks great.

about the skimmer part, i have a few opinions.... but not to bring you down okay? these days the forum here... you know la..

1) Would it be better to have venturi instead of spray injection?

If I am not wrong spray injection requires a spray nozzel, quite similar to covering part of the hose outlet to spray high speed water into a bucket of detergent powder.

2) Would it be better to adopt the baffle plates similar to the prizm skimmer; convergent, divergent. It may just well helps longer dwelling time for the bubbles.

also, with a dept for phos/carbon media, its a waste to use mesh bag, which needs frequent maintenence (i know there's a word for this).

why not cut sponge to fit in top and bottom and have it work like a typical FR.

Of course the flow would have to be suitable for the media to "dance"

Hi Hotlemond,

Thanks and it's ok to discuss about it as it's the purpose of this forum.

1. I'm not using Venturi type as that's another type of skimmer and I believed getting the venturi done is more difficult and more expensive.

Yes the spray nozzle requires a high speed water flow but I think (maybe wrong) depends on the size of the tank and the size of the skimmer body, the rate should be around 600l/hr to 1000l/hr. I'm starting off with this 600l/hr first and see how's the skimmate like and how fast it skim. This morning is juz the beginning hehe, so I really can't tell. Still lot's of adjustment to be done but let me plastered most of my fingers first (getting cut here and there haha).

2. The prizm skimmer is using the venturi type method right? As such, the bubbles need to be rotated in the chamber longer to have a longer contact time. Not so sure as for spray injection method (think I've read somewhere, can't recall where), the effectiveness is based on the throughtput of the pump; that is how many times it gets circulated.

For the media, cannot but have to use the media bag though not as effective as the FR due to the slow rate of the pump.

Thanks for your feedback once again.

[tineng]

acutally i think prizm using the needlewheel....

[chrisyew]

Here is the back view of the tank showing how the skimmer stand;

[chrisyew]

acutally i think prizm using the needlewheel....

Yes, needlewheel.

For both method, the pump inlet will be in the middle of the skimmer body thus the glueing part or the securing of it to the body is very important to ensure no leakage. As it's my first diy, dare not try it in case there is a leak or 'burst' due to too high a pressure, then my cabinet will be all wet.

[hotlemond]

Hi Hotlemond,

Thanks and it's ok to discuss about it as it's the purpose of this forum.

1. I'm not using Venturi type as that's another type of skimmer and I believed getting the venturi done is more difficult and more expensive.

Yes the spray nozzle requires a high speed water flow but I think (maybe wrong) depends on the size of the tank and the size of the skimmer body, the rate should be around 600l/hr to 1000l/hr. I'm starting off with this 600l/hr first and see how's the skimmate like and how fast it skim. This morning is juz the beginning hehe, so I really can't tell. Still lot's of adjustment to be done but let me plastered most of my fingers first (getting cut here and there haha).

2. The prizm skimmer is using the venturi type method right? As such, the bubbles need to be rotated in the chamber longer to have a longer contact time. Not so sure as for spray injection method (think I've read somewhere, can't recall where), the effectiveness is based on the throughtput of the pump; that is how many times it gets circulated.

For the media, cannot but have to use the media bag though not as effective as the FR due to the slow rate of the pump.

Thanks for your feedback once again.

hi chris,

you could be rite with the spray injection thru put thing.

But the baffle would have help if in a venturi type perhaps.

Nevertheless, good luck in the experimentation and do post those pic to us once it gets finalised.

[flying carpet]

Your skimmer ###### filter look cool. How much time and $$$ you spend on it?

[chrisyew]

Your skimmer ###### filter look cool. How much time and $$$ you spend on it?

Cost is about $60 excluding manhour and wastage due to first trial and error. Spent about 3 weeks designing and making it. Once cut to size, the making and assembly about 1 day.

[chrisyew]

After about 5 to 6 hours of operation, the foam start moving up to the collection cup;

[Gouldian]

Spray Injection Skimmerbox C12

Introduction;

How the idea came about? Since the setup of my first nano marine tank (a standard 2ft tank), I'm using an Oceanfree HOB and a cheap $10 air driven limestone type of skimmer. The thing I hate about the HOB is the water splashing out of the tank, so I've to use a plastic to cover the top but the light still got wet. Also the 2 little compartment is hardly enough for my Aquaz Purephos Premium™ and the wool frost, and I don't have enough space for my carbon media. As for the cheap skimmer, the limestone needs changing every now and then and cleaning the skimmer is tough.

How it got started;

With ideas from Undertheradar's Wetworx diy skimmer;

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthr ... adid=58540

Reefer_Buddha's Nanomora;

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthr ... did=22469;

and also drawing ideas from BAK-PAK;

http://www.cpraquatic.com/products/bakpak2r.html

and Remora;

http://www.proteinskimmer.com/Remora.pdf,

I've come out with my DIY Skimmerbox. Probably a combination of all the above ideas haha.

The Skimmerbox should be;

- "Nano" in size.

- Good for my around 12 Gallon tank, or below.

- Incorporating a filter media with at least 3 compartments.

- Ease of use, maintenance, and cleaning.

And I named my DIY Skimmer;

Skimmerbox C12

(C12 as "by Chris" and for 12 Gallon tank or below).

The method is by Spray Injection. This skimmer is meant for nano tank 2ft or below.

The Details of the assembly are in my site at;

http://www.guppiesonli.com/pn/index.php?na...viewtopic&t=157

Overview of the Skimmer with the Support Base;

The Filter Media Box;

The Collection Cup;

Attaching to the tank;

The Inlet and Outlet;

Adjusting the bubbles;

Sorri for the not so professional look as this is my first DIY skimmer project. Any queries or remarks are welcome.

Bro,

Dun mean to throw cold water into your idea but the spray injection system is patented and the company will pursue any infringments to the fullest.

Reefer_Buddha took the full wrath when he posted his Nanomora.

Although I like your DIY and appreciate your efforts, I think it is prudent that your are aware of the consequences.

[flying carpet]

Wah looks like serious issue here. Hopefully nothing happen.

[chrisyew]

Bro,

Dun mean to throw cold water into your idea but the spray injection system is patented and the company will pursue any infringments to the fullest.

Reefer_Buddha took the full wrath when he posted his Nanomora.

Although I like your DIY and appreciate your efforts, I think it is prudent that your are aware of the consequences.

Appreciate your concern. I'm not too sure about any infringement of the copyrights of their design as it's not the same. Spray injection head is not the same as theirs too though the method is still called spray injection. Dun think one can patent the method but onli the design.

[Terryz_]

Cool Design... Look nice for a DIY...

[hermit]

good job bro................!!!

[chrisyew]

Guess here is the link to the patent of their design but after reading a few times, still 'catch no ball' hehe. Any lawyer here can help to 'translate' in simpler terms?

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?...S=REF/6,156,209

[Gouldian]

Hi Bro,

I am not a lawyer but I have previously communicated with Reefer-Buddha, after the incident all the forums he participated barred him.

I am not sure whether it is directly or indirectly link to this incident as I have never been able to contact him since.

[Oceandeep]

bro,

think is better chg or modify the pump to be a needlewheel pump...

the result should better

[chrisyew]

Cool Design... Look nice for a DIY...

Thanks Terryz and Hermit for the compliments.

[chrisyew]

Hi Bro,

I am not a lawyer but I have previously communicated with Reefer-Buddha, after the incident all the forums he participated barred him.

I am not sure whether it is directly or indirectly link to this incident as I have never been able to contact him since.

Hi,

Thanks for the advise. Guess probably if there's one, it should be the name Nanomara.

Anyway I have not seen the internal parts or the noozle of their design as most images are not availabled and really I dun have the intention to copy their design at all; onli the idea of having the spray injection method.

Of course there should be various or many ways to achieve the spray injection method and what is the best way. Theirs is of course a proven way but I dun know what's their way as I don't own one of their skimmer as well.

I'm not too sure if he's barred from all forums becoz of that as there is no mention that he's barred from any forum.

Anyway, thanks a lot. I think I should not let this affect my experiments on this skimmer as my initial intention is not to infringe their copyrights.

[chrisyew]

bro,

think is better chg or modify the pump to be a needlewheel pump...

the result should better

HI Oceandeep,

Thanks for the info. But needlewheel pump skimmer operates in a different manner though it generates more bubbles. The pump needs to be output directly into the body of the skimmer as the water and air mixture is done in the pump. That will required me to either put the pump into the skimmer body like the MCE 600 Deltec or drill a hole into the skimmer body and attach the outlet of the pump to the body.

This will definitely change the design differently.

[chrisyew]

The Sprayhead;

The Sprayhead is a simple plastic end cap tightened to a 90deg. elbow joint. The original design has juz a single hole drilled in the endcap, but I find the amount of bubbles is not enough.

Inorder to increase the amount of bubbles, I drilled 3 inline holes on the endcap instead of one;

Let's compared the amount of bubbles with the 3 holes endcap with the previous 1 hole;

Previous 1 hole bubbles amount;

Now with 3 holes endcap bubbles amount (see attached);

http://www.guppiesonli.com/pn/modules/PNph...t_bubbles_2.jpg

[chrisyew]

Inorder to avoid another misunderstanding or whatsoever with other skimmer, I now renamed my skimmer as;

Bubble Diffuser Skimmerbox C12

and the method of skimming is by Bubble Diffusion.

Also the Spray Head has being renamed as Bubble Diffusion Head.