HOB Needle Wheel Skimmer finally done.

Inflames · 10/25/2004, 06:18 PM

Ok so it took me some time to get the design down and fix all the kinks but its finally done. Here's my "euro style" needle wheel venturi skimmer. Im pretty impressed that i defeated the microbubble problem, as you can see there are few to none on the output nozzle. I added the bioball mod as well for people to see.

3.99AfterTaxes · 10/25/2004, 06:54 PM

Nice work!

You wouldn't happen to have a link to the plans for this would you? I'm especially interested in the bioball and venturi rigs you have set up there.

Thanks!

Inflames · 10/25/2004, 07:02 PM

I can draw up some plans and post them in a little bit. As far as the venturi just look in my gallery and you'll see the nozzle i use for the injector. Its from the irrigation section of most hardware stores. Just add an air nozzle to the top and you're set.

benonmsn · 10/25/2004, 10:30 PM

very slick, great job

xexxxe · 10/25/2004, 11:57 PM

oh my... is that a plain bio=ball cut to fit maxijet?

any special tricks installing it to the maxi impeller??

GREAT JOB!!!!

I wanted to try euro style but didnt want to spend $$$ on new pump....

Inflames · 10/26/2004, 12:14 AM

Its called the Pin-Ball type bio ball and ya i just cut the points off and trimmed it down to fit into a maxi jet 900. No special tricks it should slide right onto the bioball. If not a little super glue will keep it on.

xexxxe · 10/26/2004, 01:46 AM

sweet... could you show us what you did in the ventury part... maybe a closeup pix?

cheers~

Inflames · 10/26/2004, 07:35 AM

the venturi pics are in my gallery

DRZL · 10/26/2004, 01:33 PM

Looks good...what are the dimensions?...Are there any websites you know you can get the cylinder acrylic pieces? kinda sucks because in my area they dont reall carry them..how does the collection cup come off?..is the top part of the cylinder weldon' down to the cylinder? How many gallons you think this is rated for?

ques,ques,ques,ques!...lol..you gotta expect it, now give me some answers foo!

DRZL · 10/26/2004, 01:37 PM

will this kick some remora wrASSe?

Inflames · 10/26/2004, 01:40 PM

Im not at home so i cant give exact dimensions yet. First class aquatics has acrylic cylinders you can order. If you dont wana pay a lot for shipping you can also try a local tap plastics. Ive left the collection cup static and ill just drill a hole in the bottom that will flow the skimmate to a collection jug behind the tank. The top i will add a smaller acrylic circle on the bottom of the lid with a small ring of silicon around it to fit snug in the top of the collection cup.

I used as much weldon as i could and silicon in the parts that might have had a bad cut and left gaps. I kinda threw this one together to just test. The next one i will probably make will have a separate reaction chamber tube in it to reduce micros a little and ill try to cut it down to maybe seaclone size. Id say this is rated from 20-40G tanks.

Will it whip a remora? Absolutely.

Ive worked with spray injection and needle wheel skimmers and i have to say that venturi/needle wheel produces more micro bubbles and surprisingly enough its actually more silent than a remora.

hokiefish · 10/26/2004, 01:52 PM

Inflames,

That looks great. Did you just connect the bioball to where the normal impeller went? I just got a free POS seaclone and thought this could help produce better microbubbles as it sux right now.

Thanks,
Ian

Inflames · 10/26/2004, 01:55 PM

Ive been wondering how well a seaclone would do with the bioball mod. I hope you do it. What i did was just cut it down to size and the hole in the bioball seems to fit over the plastic part on the impeller nicely. There's another thread i cant seem to find but someone cut a larger hole from the middle of a bioball and just slid it up behind the existing impeller and the two fit right together. You might have to search for it but its a really cool mod.

hokiefish · 10/26/2004, 02:05 PM

Thanks. I think that it could be useful as the foam creation with a standard impeller for a mixi-jet 1200 is VERY minimal. I was thinking of trying the seaclone in a sump as well with the pump oulet directly into bottom chamber instead of travelling through the U-tube. I will get my hands on a bioball this week and go to work. Thanks for the info.

hokiefish · 10/28/2004, 03:49 PM

Inflames---WOW. I tried your little trick and it made a huge difference. I just took the impeller off and modified a bioball with a razor and dremel to get it to fit. The foam prduction is sensational. I currently have a Prizm on my 29 that needs a lot of tuning but i get it to work well. I think my newly modified seaclone could kick its A%$. The flow does not seem to be altered but man the FOAM.

Thanks a bunch
Ian

Inflames · 10/28/2004, 04:30 PM

Thats great to hear

Is there any way you could post some pics? Im tryin to get my hands on a seaclone and do the bioball mod with it.

hokiefish · 10/28/2004, 04:53 PM

My dig is on the fritz right now. I would love to post some pics because the before and after is awesome. This is such an easy mod and unbelievably effective. Anyone with what was a crappy seaclone can make it worthy with a cheap mod. The only problem I see are microbubbles. The skimmer was not designed the best and cant handle this level of extreme foam. I will work on that though. If i can get that worked out I think might replace the prizm on there now.

DRZL · 10/29/2004, 12:06 AM

Any Dimensions yet inflames?

hokiefish · 11/01/2004, 09:37 AM

Inflames- Found the thread on the bioball mod with pics here its about 2/3 down the page.

I have tried a few different bioballs now and the one in the attached thread seems to work the best. I wish I could post pics but the balls with more needles and thinner actually did not work as well.

Inflames · 11/01/2004, 12:13 PM

Thanks for the update. I havent had time to try the other bioballs. When you mean it works better you mean its making more micro bubbles or just pulling in more water?

marm64 · 11/01/2004, 12:56 PM

This is great I think that I might try and make one for a 30 that I sometime use for a temp storage tank when I work on my tank.

Do you have a part number or more information on the venturi?

Nice job.

Thanks.

DRZL · 11/01/2004, 02:00 PM

DIMENSIONS!!!!!

hook it up RB

Inflames · 11/01/2004, 05:38 PM

DRZL the reason i havent posted dimensions is because:

1. Im going to make a new skimmer with a design never seen before.
2. Im debating on cutting the riser tube on this skimmer, if so, it will just be the cup on the reaction chamber and the riser tube in the up.

Ill get you dimensions when i get home. PROMISE!

DRZL · 11/02/2004, 12:16 AM

Better hAAad!
Or ima do a DIY Drive-by, DONT EVEN make me get the nail-gun.

Inflames · 11/02/2004, 12:50 AM

heres the quick sketch

10/25/2004, 06:18 PM	#1
Inflames Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Norcal Posts: 595	HOB Needle Wheel Skimmer finally done. Ok so it took me some time to get the design down and fix all the kinks but its finally done. Here's my "euro style" needle wheel venturi skimmer. Im pretty impressed that i defeated the microbubble problem, as you can see there are few to none on the output nozzle. I added the bioball mod as well for people to see.

10/25/2004, 06:54 PM	#2
3.99AfterTaxes Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 391	Nice work! You wouldn't happen to have a link to the plans for this would you? I'm especially interested in the bioball and venturi rigs you have set up there. Thanks! __________________ There are three people to a threesome. I am two people short every night.

10/25/2004, 11:57 PM	#5
xexxxe Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: toronto Posts: 121	oh my... is that a plain bio=ball cut to fit maxijet? any special tricks installing it to the maxi impeller?? GREAT JOB!!!! I wanted to try euro style but didnt want to spend $$$ on new pump.... __________________ "here fishy fishy...~" Current Tank Info: 72g oceanic bowfront reef ready

10/26/2004, 01:46 AM	#7
xexxxe Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: toronto Posts: 121	sweet... could you show us what you did in the ventury part... maybe a closeup pix? cheers~ __________________ "here fishy fishy...~" Current Tank Info: 72g oceanic bowfront reef ready

10/26/2004, 01:33 PM	#9
DRZL Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hillside, NJ Posts: 50	Looks good...what are the dimensions?...Are there any websites you know you can get the cylinder acrylic pieces? kinda sucks because in my area they dont reall carry them..how does the collection cup come off?..is the top part of the cylinder weldon' down to the cylinder? How many gallons you think this is rated for? ques,ques,ques,ques!...lol..you gotta expect it, now give me some answers foo! __________________ Take your Umbrellas out, I'm about to brainstorm Current Tank Info: 36G mini-reef bowfront in the works

10/25/2004, 07:02 PM	#3
Inflames Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Norcal Posts: 595	I can draw up some plans and post them in a little bit. As far as the venturi just look in my gallery and you'll see the nozzle i use for the injector. Its from the irrigation section of most hardware stores. Just add an air nozzle to the top and you're set.

10/25/2004, 10:30 PM	#4
benonmsn Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 441	very slick, great job

10/26/2004, 12:14 AM	#6
Inflames Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Norcal Posts: 595	Its called the Pin-Ball type bio ball and ya i just cut the points off and trimmed it down to fit into a maxi jet 900. No special tricks it should slide right onto the bioball. If not a little super glue will keep it on.

10/26/2004, 07:35 AM	#8
Inflames Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Norcal Posts: 595	the venturi pics are in my gallery

10/26/2004, 01:37 PM	#10
DRZL Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hillside, NJ Posts: 50	will this kick some remora wrASSe? __________________ Take your Umbrellas out, I'm about to brainstorm Current Tank Info: 36G mini-reef bowfront in the works

10/26/2004, 01:40 PM	#11
Inflames Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Norcal Posts: 595	Im not at home so i cant give exact dimensions yet. First class aquatics has acrylic cylinders you can order. If you dont wana pay a lot for shipping you can also try a local tap plastics. Ive left the collection cup static and ill just drill a hole in the bottom that will flow the skimmate to a collection jug behind the tank. The top i will add a smaller acrylic circle on the bottom of the lid with a small ring of silicon around it to fit snug in the top of the collection cup. I used as much weldon as i could and silicon in the parts that might have had a bad cut and left gaps. I kinda threw this one together to just test. The next one i will probably make will have a separate reaction chamber tube in it to reduce micros a little and ill try to cut it down to maybe seaclone size. Id say this is rated from 20-40G tanks. Will it whip a remora? Absolutely. Ive worked with spray injection and needle wheel skimmers and i have to say that venturi/needle wheel produces more micro bubbles and surprisingly enough its actually more silent than a remora.

10/26/2004, 01:52 PM	#12
hokiefish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 368	Inflames, That looks great. Did you just connect the bioball to where the normal impeller went? I just got a free POS seaclone and thought this could help produce better microbubbles as it sux right now. Thanks, Ian

10/26/2004, 01:55 PM	#13
Inflames Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Norcal Posts: 595	Ive been wondering how well a seaclone would do with the bioball mod. I hope you do it. What i did was just cut it down to size and the hole in the bioball seems to fit over the plastic part on the impeller nicely. There's another thread i cant seem to find but someone cut a larger hole from the middle of a bioball and just slid it up behind the existing impeller and the two fit right together. You might have to search for it but its a really cool mod.

10/26/2004, 02:05 PM	#14
hokiefish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 368	Thanks. I think that it could be useful as the foam creation with a standard impeller for a mixi-jet 1200 is VERY minimal. I was thinking of trying the seaclone in a sump as well with the pump oulet directly into bottom chamber instead of travelling through the U-tube. I will get my hands on a bioball this week and go to work. Thanks for the info. __________________ Carpe Noctum Current Tank Info: 50 Breeder w/ Penguin Biowheel & MJ1200 for circ

10/28/2004, 03:49 PM	#15
hokiefish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 368	Inflames---WOW. I tried your little trick and it made a huge difference. I just took the impeller off and modified a bioball with a razor and dremel to get it to fit. The foam prduction is sensational. I currently have a Prizm on my 29 that needs a lot of tuning but i get it to work well. I think my newly modified seaclone could kick its A%$. The flow does not seem to be altered but man the FOAM. Thanks a bunch Ian __________________ Carpe Noctum Current Tank Info: 50 Breeder w/ Penguin Biowheel & MJ1200 for circ

10/28/2004, 04:30 PM	#16
Inflames Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Norcal Posts: 595	Thats great to hear Is there any way you could post some pics? Im tryin to get my hands on a seaclone and do the bioball mod with it.

10/28/2004, 04:53 PM	#17
hokiefish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 368	My dig is on the fritz right now. I would love to post some pics because the before and after is awesome. This is such an easy mod and unbelievably effective. Anyone with what was a crappy seaclone can make it worthy with a cheap mod. The only problem I see are microbubbles. The skimmer was not designed the best and cant handle this level of extreme foam. I will work on that though. If i can get that worked out I think might replace the prizm on there now. __________________ Carpe Noctum Current Tank Info: 50 Breeder w/ Penguin Biowheel & MJ1200 for circ

10/29/2004, 12:06 AM	#18
DRZL Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hillside, NJ Posts: 50	Any Dimensions yet inflames? __________________ Take your Umbrellas out, I'm about to brainstorm Current Tank Info: 36G mini-reef bowfront in the works

11/01/2004, 09:37 AM	#19
hokiefish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 368	Inflames- Found the thread on the bioball mod with pics here its about 2/3 down the page. I have tried a few different bioballs now and the one in the attached thread seems to work the best. I wish I could post pics but the balls with more needles and thinner actually did not work as well.

11/01/2004, 12:13 PM	#20
Inflames Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Norcal Posts: 595	Thanks for the update. I havent had time to try the other bioballs. When you mean it works better you mean its making more micro bubbles or just pulling in more water?

11/01/2004, 12:56 PM	#21
marm64 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Saginaw, MN Posts: 1,036	This is great I think that I might try and make one for a 30 that I sometime use for a temp storage tank when I work on my tank. Do you have a part number or more information on the venturi? Nice job. Thanks.

11/01/2004, 02:00 PM	#22
DRZL Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hillside, NJ Posts: 50	DIMENSIONS!!!!! hook it up RB __________________ Take your Umbrellas out, I'm about to brainstorm Current Tank Info: 36G mini-reef bowfront in the works

11/01/2004, 05:38 PM	#23
Inflames Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Norcal Posts: 595	DRZL the reason i havent posted dimensions is because: 1. Im going to make a new skimmer with a design never seen before. 2. Im debating on cutting the riser tube on this skimmer, if so, it will just be the cup on the reaction chamber and the riser tube in the up. Ill get you dimensions when i get home. PROMISE!

11/02/2004, 12:16 AM	#24
DRZL Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hillside, NJ Posts: 50	Better hAAad! Or ima do a DIY Drive-by, DONT EVEN make me get the nail-gun. __________________ Take your Umbrellas out, I'm about to brainstorm Current Tank Info: 36G mini-reef bowfront in the works

11/02/2004, 12:50 AM	#25
Inflames Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Norcal Posts: 595	heres the quick sketch