DIY skimmer questions

[jgvergo]

Hi,

I built myself the following skimmer. It works very well, but I'm having a couple of issues and I'm not sure if they are normal skimmer issues or something I can address through mods to the design. They are all related to the rate that the collection cup fills.

1. When I turn the skimmer on after maintenance or feeding, I get a small "surge" of water that flows into the collection cup. It typically adds 10%-20% of the collection cup volume. This is not a big deal on a daily basis, but over the course of a couple of a few days, it significantly increases the rate the cup fills.

2. Even though I used a gate valve to control the skimmer, I'm having trouble tuning it so that it a) skims and b) does so at a rate that is slow enough for me to ignore it for a full week.

I want to be able to (eventually) go on vacation for a week and not have to worry about the skimmer! BTW, I got this design off a YouTube video by Primo Reef Acrylics. Thoughts?

 

[Paul B]

First off drill a hole in the bottom of the cup and run a tube to a bucket so you don't have to empty it. I have a five gallon bucket under mine that I only have to empty monthly. I also have a switch in the bucket that shuts off the pump to the skimmer if the bucket fills. I also built, besides that gate valve a fine adjustment valve which is basically a nylon bolt going through the output tube of the skimmer. The bolt is almost as wide as the pipe so screwing it in very gradually slows the flow, but it won't turn it off.

 

[Dwb5]

Wow guys those are awesome! I am going to have to looking into trying another one. My first attempt was a disaster. But in needing a new one now so may try it again. Sorry to but in just wanted u two to know that Im amazed that u all made them work.

 

[jgvergo]

Wow guys those are awesome! I am going to have to looking into trying another one. My first attempt was a disaster. But in needing a new one now so may try it again. Sorry to but in just wanted u two to know that Im amazed that u all made them work.

Dwb5, check out the YouTube videos (it's a series of three). It's really pretty easy. I enjoyed making it and I saved some $$$ too. Always a nice combo!