Mack Daddy Skimmer but help :-(

[rogergolf66]

I got a great deal on this skimmer Precision Marine Bullet-3 skimmer

32" 6.25" x 10"

rated for 400gallons

Well here is a picture of it. I got it from a friend of mine. he said he had it for 4 months. Well he didn't tell me that the collection cup was cracked at the seam on the bottom. It has a built in external drain for the collection cup. it is in great shape other then that no other marks on it besides that some one must have droped the collection cup it looks brand new.

Well my question to all you acyrlic DIY guys out their what can I do?

is this a simple fix?

here are a couple pictures.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb173/rogergolf66/NewSkimmer12-30-07001.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb173/rogergolf66/NewSkimmer12-30-07003.jpg

I am plaining on running this skimmer external with a 5 gallon bucket as the collection bucket from the collection cup line. I will have the skimmer in a rubbermaid container for extra protection from the skimmer going crazy, but I don't want the waist dripping down the side of the skimmer.

Roger

[mflamb]

Roger,
You will want to do something different than a 5 gallon bucket for the skimmate. The smell will drive you out of the house.
Weld On 16 will work on the crack.
What pump do you plan on using?

[rogergolf66]

I bought the pump he was using it is a Fasco model 14518-302 he said it pushes 1,600 GPH

on the pump it says 1.4/1.25 A
RPM 2600/3400 E40513 Sealed Ball Bearing Class B Thermally protected

Don't know what any of that means

I just spent some time searching google I found the makers of the pump and the company that makes the pump into move liquid Gorman-Rupp Industries but I couldn't find the exact model I found the 14518 what I have but I couldn't find the last 3 number after the hyphen 302.

here is a pic
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb173/rogergolf66/NewSkimmerPump12-30-07002.jpg

[rogergolf66]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11487184#post11487184 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mflamb
Roger,
You will want to do something different than a 5 gallon bucket for the skimmate. The smell will drive you out of the house.
Weld On 16 will work on the crack.
What pump do you plan on using?

is Weld on easy to use? I have never used any acrylic glue before. Any tips?

Also if I use the 5 gallon bucket It is more for saftey if the skimmer went crazy. I will clean it often. also I will use one with a tight fitting lid and drill a hole in the lid the size of the hose from the collection cup so it sould be sealed pretty good.

Roger

[mlivvy]

you got any enemies? you can do some pretty evil stuff with a 5 gal bucket full of skimate. :D

weld on 16 is easy to use.

[mflamb]

Take a look at skimmate collection cups. You will need a vent with that skimmer. It processes lots of air and with no air vent, the skimmer won't work.

[sick1166]

thats a gorman rupp pump 1 of the best 3 models 110 518 and a 520
you have a 518 1200 gph @ 5 ft head

[sunkool]

aquamend

[rogergolf66]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11489496#post11489496 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sick1166
thats a gorman rupp pump 1 of the best 3 models 110 518 and a 520
you have a 518 1200 gph @ 5 ft head

thanks

[BlueCoast]

If the smell starts to get bad, look into a making a little carbon filter for the exhaust. I run tubing out my collection cup and through a little tupperware container with activated carbon inside. Works wonders.

[mflamb]

You can get a 1 inch uniseal or 1 inch bulkhead and make a carbon container out of pvc that attaches to the top of the bucket.

[rogergolf66]

Any pictures of what anyone is talking about. I have never heard of this or seen one. I don't think I have seen one anyway.

Thanks for all the info.

Is their a place near me to get weld on 16? I am in NEW Port Richey.

Thanks

[mflamb]

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~PM2113.html

The pvc thing on top is the air vent where you put carbon.

[rogergolf66]

ok I have seen them. I still don't understand why the skimmer will not work with out it. as he had the drain going into a bucket also?

I am not saying it will work but can you exsplain why it will not work. I must be a little slow or something :-)

Thanks Roger

I fould some weld on 16

now trying to order a diamond bit to drill my sump.

[mflamb]

You need some sort of air vent with a beckett skimmer.

[rogergolf66]

air vent where? I don't understand can you be more specific. Air vent going into the skimmer?

[boydx6]

The air vent goes on the extra collection cup, the 5 gallon bucket in your case. If it isn't vented then the skimmate will not flow into the bucket easily! I think it is pressure equilization related. Mike will correct me if I am off base.

[rogergolf66]

Thanks now I get it. So let me ask this then. is it like the small hole on the opposite side of a gas can spout?

Roger

[boydx6]

yes, except there is usually a chamber (to put carbon to soak up the smell) that covers the vent hole.

[rogergolf66]

could I just build one. do we know what the inside looks like? or are they cheep to purchase? Where can I find one?

again thanks for all your help this is new to me. my last skimmer was small and had a normal collection cup.

[chrismhaase]

Roger here are a few links
http://www.hawkfish.org/snailman/diywaste.htm
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1137977&highlight=waste+collection

[mflamb]

Put a 1 inch or 1.5 inch uniseal or bulkhead in the top of the bucket. Add a short piece of pvc pice and a 90 with another piece of pipe long enough to put bag of carbon into.

Stephen, you are exactly right.

[rogergolf66]

OK I got it now thanks for the details. I will get a bulk head for the bucket. Well if it works well I will not have to empty very often. I talked to the guy that I got it from. He said the same thing. I asked him how much skimmate the skimmer produced he said a gallon a day. At that rate them yes I will be using a 5 gallon bucket and yes it may even fill up all the way.

he also had the skimmer on a system with 400 gallons of water and a heavy fish load, so he said in my system it may not produce so much.

Well I desided to put the skimmer in the closet next to my tank. my wife loved that :-). I drilled the 2inch hole for the drain tonight. I am still waiting for my drill bits to drill my sump so I can't do the supply line yet. hope the bit comes in soon.

Also tonight I put a bead of weld-on #3 on the inside of the collection cup where it was leaking. I also put a bead of #16 on the outside. I will wait 24 hours then put another bead on the inside and the out with the same # weld ons then do a leak test again. I think it will be fine.

Next project after this is the calcium reactor. I am also going to plumb it throught to the closet. :-)

If I am going into the closet I may as well take the whole thing right.

Thanks for you help everyone. I will post some pictures as I get it setup.

[dmbedard]

Buy something nice for your wife if you are taking the closet. Helps the marriage : )

Diane

[rogergolf66]

:-)

[rogergolf66]

OK I put weldon #3 on the inside of the collection cup and waited 24 hours and them put a second coat. I also put weld on #16 on the out side of the collection cup. did a test tonight and no leak :-)

I also built a stand for the Skimmer. It is not pretty but it will do the job. I will put the collection cup under the stand

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb173/rogergolf66/SkimmerStand1-3-08002.jpg

[rogergolf66]

ok I finally got it all connected. Here is a picture of it running and the wholes throught the wall
HIS is only about 10 min after turning it on.
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb173/rogergolf66/SkimmerRunning1-9-08001.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb173/rogergolf66/SkimmerRunning1-9-08002.jpg

[rogergolf66]

Here is the first time I am empting the skimmate. It has been working for 2 weeks now. The amount of skim is good but it was watery. I thoght I took a picture before I emptied but I guess not.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb173/rogergolf66/Skimmate1-24-08001.jpg

Over all I am satified so far. I adjusted the bubbles hoping to get a drier skimm in the next 2 weeks.

[thor32766]

I have a PM XL 2 and love it. have you played with adjusting the gate valve?

[reeferaddiction]

hey roger how is the skimmer working i have been looking at a used one but am unsure on how this type of skimmer works and is set up. i guess i will need to read up on them, any tips on what to look for when buying this type of skimmer used.

[rogergolf66]

I have only played with the gate valve for the bubble hight. That is what you mean right?

it first I had it where the manual recommended but the inside of the skimmer was gettting alot of waste inside not in the collection cup. So I increased the hight now it is staying cleaner and going into the collection cup.

I changed the bubbles this time I will see how it does from there. Personally I think that it is haveing trouble to find waste to remove as this is rated for 400gallons and I am only running 160gallons and min room for rock and sand so prob. about 125 gallons of water. That was what I wanted to over skimm and see how I like it.


Reeferaddiction

From what I have read the pump if very important. I got the pump that the person way using so I don't know what pump to get but if you need help setting it up let me know. It wasn't to hard just time consumming for me as it was the first one I setup up that was not in the sump.