Skimmer Stand - Opinion Needed

[robswdiver]

Manufactured stands I have seen are either too tall or have a larger footprint than my space allows. While the DIY eggcrate and PVC stand is an option, I was looking for something a little cleaner and refined looking.

Info:
- Skimmer Chamber = 10.23″ × 8.5″
- Skimmer Footprint = 6.1" x 7.87" (Reef Octopus 110SSS)
- Manufacturer Recommended Water Lever = 7" - 7.9"
- Current Sump Water Level = 9"

The solution I am considering to raise the skimmer to recommended height costs around $35:
- 8"x8"x1" Acrylic Square Display Block
- .25" or .50" rubber cutting board feet, secured with super glue

Questions:
- What height would you recommend? High or low end of the water height range?
- Are there different types of acrylic and would I have to worry about them being reef safe?
- Do you think that rubber/silicone feet could cause an issue with leaching and do you think special rubber noise reducers are used on aquarium supply pumps?

I could provide links to the major online retailer where I have found these items, but not sure if it is allowed.

Thank you in advance.

-Rob

 

[Lasse]

I always place my skimmer in the middle - in your case 7.5 "
Acrylic is reef safe as long as I know
At least silicone feet is safe - IMO

Sincerely Lasse

 

[TobyPhatz77]

I’m a couple of months late to the thread but just to let you know that you should only use cast acrylic.
Extruded is not fit for aquariums.

 

[Lasse]

I’m a couple of months late to the thread but just to let you know that you should only use cast acrylic.
Extruded is not fit for aquariums.

Why? what´s the difference?

Sincerely Lasse

 

[vetteguy53081]

I used miniature milk crate from dollar store in office supply section. 8” square and 8” tall - $1

 

[TobyPhatz77]

Why? what´s the difference?

Sincerely Lasse

I’ve just come off the rollercoaster of my first build and yes, probably went too far in my ‘which plastic’ research.

To be fair the statement that it’s not fit for aquariums might be, in reality a bit strong but probably good practice as there isn’t much of a cost difference between the 2.
The difference is the process they go through. Extruded being squeezed through a form and cast being poured into a cast as the names suggest.
The result is that extruded is more pliable and softer than cast.
This means that extruded shouldn’t be used for pressure vessels which is also why I say my initial statement might be a bit strong as I’m not sure how much pressure it would really be under in aquariums of varying sizes. Info will be out there somewhere on that one.
Cast as I say would be best practice though.

Hope that helps explain it.

I did find a food safe black acrylic for the weir which was brand named Setacryl but could only buy it in 3x2 metre sheets and in 3mm thickness. The amount of waste put me off so I just went with cast black as by that point I thought I was probably overthinking the whole thing

 

[Lasse]

Thank´s @TobyPhatz77 I was afraid that I had miss some information about toxicity among the different production methods. For a stand in a sump - the fabrication method should not play any role - IMO

Sincerely Lasse