How to build a DIY Needle Wheel impeller

[AlexG]

It has been a few months since I have put my DIY needle wheel impellers into operation and I have been impressed with the performance of these impeller. I don't have a 3D printer or access to one so when I set out to build DIY needle wheel impellers I used the tools I had available. The following series of videos goes through the entire process to build two different styles of DIY needle wheel impellers. I have also included a video to show the performance of these two needle wheel impellers side by side in a showdown. I tried to cover every step as best I could in the videos but if you have any questions please let me know.

Materials needed:
Acrylic Sheet 1/4"
Acrylic Sheet 1/8" (Double Layer design only)
Acrylic Rod 1/8" (plastruct brand used)
Acrylic Rod 1/16" (plastruct brand used) (Double Layer design only)
Weld-on 3 or 4 for acrylic. I used Weld-on 3

Tools needed:
Safety Glasses
Ear Protection
Drill Press
Handheld Drill
Drill set
Dremel Tool with a sanding drum
Measuring Tape
Hole Saws (Size varies depending on the pump & impeller size)
Rubber mallet
Center punch
Needle Nose Pliers
Diagonal Cutting Pliers
Small Hammer
Clamps
Screws
Scrap pieces of 2x4 or plywood

 

[P-Dub]

That has got to be a really big skimmer those are going on...

 

[five.five-six]

I’m going to need a new skimmer pump sooner rather than later.

 

[five.five-six]

Really well done videos and nice work!

It seems like a lot of work though. What do you think of just cutting down the factory impeller and doing an eco mesh mesh mod and be done with it?

 

[Dom274]

Thanks for ruining the Lite Brite! You were just supposed to make a flower!

 

[AlexG]

Really well done videos and nice work!

It seems like a lot of work though. What do you think of just cutting down the factory impeller and doing an eco mesh mesh mod and be done with it?

It is a bit of a process. I had a lot of fun making these impellers though. I am sure its possible to do a mesh mod on the stock impeller. I did not want to cut the original impeller down though in case I needed it in the future. Mesh wheels can also break down over time which is why I went with acrylic. If you build a mesh mod I would just be sure to inspect it on a regular basis and monitor its performance.

 

[AlexG]

That has got to be a really big skimmer those are going on...

Its a good size DIY skimmer. The body of the skimmer was built from a 60 gallon induction tank. Here are a couple of pictures.

 

[five.five-six]

It is a bit of a process. I had a lot of fun making these impellers though. I am sure its possible to do a mesh mod on the stock impeller. I did not want to cut the original impeller down though in case I needed it in the future. Mesh wheels can also break down over time which is why I went with acrylic. If you build a mesh mod I would just be sure to inspect it on a regular basis and monitor its performance.

What moddle pump did you mod? Do you understand the differences between DC, DCS, DCT and DCP series pumps? These jebao pumps are like chicom AK47’s a gazillion variations and nobody understands them all

 

[AlexG]

What moddle pump did you mod? Do you understand the differences between DC, DCS, DCT and DCP series pumps? These jebao pumps are like chicom AK47’s a gazillion variations and nobody understands them all

I modded DCT-15000 pumps. I am not sure on what each variation stands for. I decided on this pump based on the GPH rating I was looking for.

 

[bobman]

Pretty cool build. Been seeing a lot of jeabo mods lately. I am to the point I am actually looking forward to my pump giving out lol

 

[AlexG]

Pretty cool build. Been seeing a lot of jeabo mods lately. I am to the point I am actually looking forward to my pump giving out lol

Other than the attachment to the impeller shaft of a pump this method of building a needle wheel will work for any pump where an impeller can be removed.

 

[bobman]

Not sure what other pumps fairly cost effective have removable impellers. I will have to do some digging around and see what turns up. Honestly never looked till now.

 

[P-Dub]

Now that is a monster skimmer. NICE!

 

[five.five-six]

So, you inspired me, I did a mesh mod on a DCP-6500 for my 8” by 24” tall euroreef. If you like, I can post photos and description of what I did. All I can say is this: There is no free lunch. Even though the Jebao is rated at 6500 L/hour to the Eheim’s 2400 L/hr I got the jebao to work about as well as the Eheim but on less watts. In comparison, the innovations on the Jebao are really nice, dozens of connection configuration options in the box. On the other hand, the Jebao is sort of junky on comparison to the Eheim which has been running for probably 15 years and would probably go another 15 if the impeller hadn’t been badly modified. On the other hand, the entire jebao pump cost $40 less than a replacement impeller for the Eheim.

If you like I can post photos and description of what I did an how I did it.

 

[AlexG]

So, you inspired me, I did a mesh mod on a DCP-6500 for my 8” by 24” tall euroreef. If you like, I can post photos and description of what I did. All I can say is this: There is no free lunch. Even though the Jebao is rated at 6500 L/hour to the Eheim’s 2400 L/hr I got the jebao to work about as well as the Eheim but on less watts. In comparison, the innovations on the Jebao are really nice, dozens of connection configuration options in the box. On the other hand, the Jebao is sort of junky on comparison to the Eheim which has been running for probably 15 years and would probably go another 15 if the impeller hadn’t been badly modified. On the other hand, the entire jebao pump cost $40 less than a replacement impeller for the Eheim.

If you like I can post photos and description of what I did an how I did it.

I am interested to see your impeller design feel free to post pictures and how it was built.

 

[five.five-six]

I am interested to see your impeller design feel free to post pictures and how it was built.

Well, I had been chewing on my 15 year old pump problem and your thread inspired me to get going on it before I suffered a catastrophic failure.

Your build is about 1000X nicer and you are right, the mesh will have to be replaced every 6 months to a year


But, I did complete this in under an hour... so there’s that.

The jebao DCP-6500 DC controllable rated at 6500 L/hr

First I had to remove the impeller from the shaft

Next I made a new disk from some scrap acrylic

Next I scribed the keyed shaft hole

Made the correct hole with files

Attached ecomatt

Next I had to make a Venturi. I drilled 1/4” holes in this jebao supplied 1/2” barb adapter. The 1/2 didn’t work so hot so I ended up using the supplied 3/4” adapter and that was much better

So how does it work? Well at first I was like meh, works about the same as the eheim I replaces and with all the great things some people say about jebao and the fact that it was rated for over twice the output as the ehime I was somewhat dissapointed but at least I have the eheim for a spare when this one catches fire




Then I looked at the collection cup 1 hr later and the foam is amazing, it’s like whipped cream or cotton candy. I’ve never seen anything like it.

I know the photo sucks but you hold a flashlight one hand don’t drop the iPad in the sump take a picture do better.

 

[AlexG]

Well, I had been chewing on my 15 year old pump problem and your thread inspired me to get going on it before I suffered a catastrophic failure.

Your build is about 1000X nicer and you are right, the mesh will have to be replaced every 6 months to a year


But, I did complete this in under an hour... so there’s that.

The jebao DCP-6500 DC controllable rated at 6500 L/hr

First I had to remove the impeller from the shaft

Next I made a new disk from some scrap acrylic

Next I scribed the keyed shaft hole

Made the correct hole with files

Attached ecomatt

Next I had to make a Venturi. I drilled 1/4” holes in this jebao supplied 1/2” barb adapter. The 1/2 didn’t work so hot so I ended up using the supplied 3/4” adapter and that was much better

So how does it work? Well at first I was like meh, works about the same as the eheim I replaces and with all the great things some people say about jebao and the fact that it was rated for over twice the output as the ehime I was somewhat dissapointed but at least I have the eheim for a spare when this one catches fire




Then I looked at the collection cup 1 hr later and the foam is amazing, it’s like whipped cream or cotton candy. I’ve never seen anything like it.

I know the photo sucks but you hold a flashlight one hand don’t drop the iPad in the sump take a picture do better.

Thanks for posting @five.five-six as this is why I shared my videos and process. Its not about what is better but its about how someone gets inspiration from others in the hobby. My method to build a needle wheel is not the simplest of designs and I played the design safe even thought its a complex build to manufacture with the tools I have available. I am always happy to see new ideas come out for DIY and I really think you need to make some videos on this method of creating a DIY mesh wheel. Thanks again for posting.

 

[Shooter6]

Well, I had been chewing on my 15 year old pump problem and your thread inspired me to get going on it before I suffered a catastrophic failure.

Your build is about 1000X nicer and you are right, the mesh will have to be replaced every 6 months to a year


But, I did complete this in under an hour... so there’s that.

The jebao DCP-6500 DC controllable rated at 6500 L/hr

First I had to remove the impeller from the shaft

Next I made a new disk from some scrap acrylic

Next I scribed the keyed shaft hole

Made the correct hole with files

Attached ecomatt

Next I had to make a Venturi. I drilled 1/4” holes in this jebao supplied 1/2” barb adapter. The 1/2 didn’t work so hot so I ended up using the supplied 3/4” adapter and that was much better

So how does it work? Well at first I was like meh, works about the same as the eheim I replaces and with all the great things some people say about jebao and the fact that it was rated for over twice the output as the ehime I was somewhat dissapointed but at least I have the eheim for a spare when this one catches fire




Then I looked at the collection cup 1 hr later and the foam is amazing, it’s like whipped cream or cotton candy. I’ve never seen anything like it.

I know the photo sucks but you hold a flashlight one hand don’t drop the iPad in the sump take a picture do better.

I know this is an old post, but i was wondering how the mesh has held up for you. Looking at tbe best option for modification to a skimmer, to covert it into a recurculating one

 

[AlexG]

I know this is an old post, but i was wondering how the mesh has held up for you. Looking at tbe best option for modification to a skimmer, to covert it into a recurculating one

I can't comment on the mesh wheels but I can say the DIY needle wheels held up well.

 

[theatrus]

I can't comment on the mesh wheels but I can say the DIY needle wheels held up well.

Nice - glad its still working. These things take time to test out for sure