Skimmer Waste Collection Container
 

I had to move my skimmer outside of the tank's stand, that meant dealing with the stink of the collection cup. Before I used any empty container or milk jug, but that wasn't to cut it this time. So, I decided to build my own collector following some of the features in brand name collectors and share the process with you.

Materials:

• Jumbo Kitchen Conitainer - Shopko $9.99
  1" Union - $3.28
  1" Cap - $.28¢
  1" PVC Pipe - $1.79
  T12 Light Tube Guard - $1.30
  3/4" Female adapter - $.28¢
  1 PingPong Ball - $1.39 (4 Balls)
  NPT to match your skimmer cup, I used 3/4"

http://thefilmjar.com/collector/Photo_022308_002.jpg

Tools:

• 1 1/4 Hole Saw
  9/16 Drill bit
  PVC Glue

Step 1 - Make 2 Holes on the top lid
Place the PVC union and the NPT connector on the top lid to mark the holes. The first hole close to the container lid hinge, this will be for the exhaust. The second hole can be in front of the first. After making the holes, sand the inside until you are able to pass a piece of 1" pipe tightly through it.

Step 2 - Make Exhaust - Carbon Chamber
Cut a 5" piece of 1" PVC pipe, attach it to the NON thread part of the union, make a hole in the PVC cap using the 9/16 drill bit. Do not glue these parts!

This will be used to hold charcoal, use a piece of screen or micro filter felt for the top and bottom parts. This will prevent the charcoal from spilling out.
http://thefilmjar.com/collector/Photo_022408_004.jpg
http://thefilmjar.com/collector/Photo_022408_005.jpg
http://thefilmjar.com/collector/Photo_022408_003.jpg

Step 3 - Attach exhaust and intake parts
Cut a 3" piece of 1" PVC pipe, apply glue to one end and the the thread part of the PVC union. Leave the excess glue, pass it through the hole closest to the hinge. The excess glue will be used to attach the union/pipe to the lid.

Attach the NPT connector to the female adapter and insert through the second lid hole. Apply glue to the inside to seal it. Let the glue set for at least 10 minutes before proceeding with the next step.
http://thefilmjar.com/collector/Photo_022408_002.jpg

Step 4 - Air/Overflow Valve
Cut a 5" piece of the clear tube protection pipe. Apply glue and place it over the exhaust PVC pipe al-ready attached to the lid. The clear pipe is very thin and silicone as a filler between the 2 pipes is also a good idea. Let this set for at least 1 hour. Apply pressure to it, you can set the completed exhaust part on top to apply pressure.
http://thefilmjar.com/collector/Photo_022408_001.jpg

Step 5 - Adding the Floating Ball
After all the glue has dried, insert the Ping Pong ball in the clear tubing and attach the black end cap that came with the clear tubing to keep the ball in the chamber. This will prevent the waste product from overflowing. In the event that the waste liquid level rises, the ball will block the exhaust PVC pipe resulting, if the airway is blocked, then the skimmer will stop producing foam.

Your now ready to attach your new container to the skimmer cup.
http://thefilmjar.com/collector/Photo_022408_006.jpg

So for less than $20 you have built your own waste collection container, enjoy!!!

http://thefilmjar.com/collector/Photo_022408_007.jpg

wow thats great. I might have to give that a shot.

That's a great step-by-step DIY!

One question. Do you think it would be worth while to shorten the clear tube? I was just thinking that it would reduce the ping pong ball's contact time with the scum in the container maybe making it less likely to make a bad seal.

Many talk about this type of waste collector, but few show it step by step. Excellent work!

Absolutely, I think you can shorten the clear tube. Actually that may be a mod that I have to do to mine. I had fun doing it, it is quite simple.

Thank you for taking the time to read through it. Have fun building your own!

Hello:
Just came across this great DIY and was wondering if you had any good pics to share so I can see how it looks, etc. Also, have you done any mod's since your original design?
Any help would be greatly appreciate.

Nice step by step! Got any pics?

oops, I cleaned up my FTP drive and forgot to keep these. I'll upload them again. Thanks for letting me know.

Cant see the pics?

Any pics yet?

Here are the pics, sorry about that guys!

Hope this is helpful :)

Chachijoe, so how well did that little carbon filter handle the foul skimmate smell? How often do you change out the carbon?

Thanks

Thank you for the pics and great idea!

It does a good job, no stinky!!!

I think the fact that the canister is so big helps. I replace the charcoal once a month and use pellets, they seem to allow for better air flow as it doesn't compact like the smaller grains...

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...15&pcatid=4215

Great pics! http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-3198367-10356779

IChachijoe, I'm thinking that your aqua C collection cup lid has a seal, no? Most other skimmers have a lid that just sits on the collection cup and has vent holes. So maybe with out a seal, the auto shut off part may not work as effectively? I wish I had seen your thread a day earlier, I just bought the Aqua C auto waste 5L collection container. Bought it off ebay for $50 including shipping so it wasn't that bad a deal. Your $20 container sounds more appealing and looks like a great DIY project. My main issue was dealing with the smell. I put my Octo DNW 200 recirc skimmer in my daughter's closet. The thing is pumping out the nasty smelly nog now and it's stinking up her closet and her clothes. Anyway, I plan to seal up the 4 vent holes on the lid with silicone. The lid itself won't be sealed, but I'm guessing the auto shut off backpressure part should still work fine, no?

Nice job chachijoe75!

Tim
:cool:

Nice
I have been waiting to see the pictures. Looks very simple to make. Hope to start mine this weekend

Great idea about the carbon eliminate the odor from skimmate.Thanks.

Correct, there are two seals in the Aqua C. One in the connection to the neck and the other in the lid. If it doesn't seal properly you may have some smell escape in to the air and the shut off may not work properly.

Might be good to seal the vent holes with silicone sealant and then place a heavy object, say a brick or chunk O steel, ontop of the lid. Might even be able to squeek a thin O ring on there which would do the trick?

Go to Dick's Sporting Goods and buy a 5lb weight. The ones covered with plastic should be resistant and discrete.

chachijoe75 where did you pick up the T12 guard and the shopko container?

nice build and well documented :thumbsup:

the only drawback I can see is if you use ozone; the Shopco Jumbo Kitchen Conitainer could be a problem but that's minimal and only if you use Ozone.

thanks

I inject ozone into my skimmer, why do you think is a problem?