accidental gravity feed skimmer

[shyland83]

So i have been messing with different pipes on my drain into my sump to help microbubbles. My latest attempt seems to work, but the vent pipe fills up with foam and overflows gunk into the sump like a skimmer. here is a sad attempt a pic, i was in a rush.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r280/shyland83/gravityskimmer.jpg


My first thought was to raise the T above the water level to make this stop. But then i thought, maybe if i make a collection cup it would just give me a little extra skimming power. is this a bad idea, good idea? all opinions are welcome.

[Snowboarda42]

Couldn't hurt, give it a try and let us know how it does

[Kentanner11]

you could, but what I have seen done is similar to what you are doing but they have two C traps (used for sink plumbing) put together.



<a href="http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k33/Kentanner11/?action=view&current=doubletrap.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k33/Kentanner11/doubletrap.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[Altpers0na]

skimming from your reverse durso, thats great..

[shyland83]

I just made a ghetto collection cup out of a piece of 2" pvc, a 1qt chinese soup container, and some epoxy putty. i'll post tonight or tomm morning whether or not it's actually collecting skimate.

[Putawaywet]

You know, if this works, you might just go down in the history books for the best ghetto reef mod :)

[alpine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11694314#post11694314 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Putawaywet
You know, if this works, you might just go down in the history books for the best ghetto reef mod :)

LMAO I totally agree on that one.

[fio1022]

Hi Scott,
I don't know if you're trying to eliminate micro bubbles or trying to make a crazy skimmer.I went nuts last year trying to eliminate MBs.Tried every mod thinkable trying to avoid the dreaded filter sock.
I tried one last thing and it actually worked.When I was tring this i thought it might foam up like a skimmer too.
I have the 2 1" drains going into a 1 1/2 x3" cross fitting.2" pipe up for support and to vent.3"pipe down to about 1/2 from bottom.
This fits centered inside a piece of 6"pipe that notched at the top direct flow and sits tight to the sump floor.Sump has lots of live rock and 5 baffles.
Most people said I'd have to lower flow to achieve it.
I just hate cleaning filter socks.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y255/fio1086/100_4553.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y255/fio1086/100_4554.jpg

[shyland83]

so after having the collection cup there overnight i have about 1/4" of decent skimmate in the cup. I have a feeling it's not doing enough to make a difference, but it's kinda cool.

Yeah my original intention was just to get rid of MB. i have 3 baffles, i wish i had done 5. the problem is my drain pipe is 2". i have 4-1" drains that all Tee together into 2". so to open it up into pipe big enough to slow down the flow considerably starts to get big. i'm going to try a few more things. i started making my own filter socks and it worked great, but like you, i hate cleaning them every day.

[fio1022]

4 1" drains!Is that a custom tank?
You must have a rediculous amount of flow.

[shyland83]

yeah you can see the build thread, click the little red house. I made the overflow and drilled it myself, i wanted to be prepared for anything.