Give me your opinions on my DIY skimmer

jbd010 · 03/04/2007, 08:50 PM

After spending some time checking out one of the ten-thouand RC threads on skimmers, I finally bit the bullet and took my best shot at one. I am loosley following RandyStacyE's design.

The local plastics place had some 6"x1' extruded acrylic tubes for $5 bucks a pop, unfortunatly they are a bit to thin to support the weight of the stand tube and pump....so this is my rough draft, complete with the exception of the recirc pump. I am planning on using a Gen X 2400 Needle Wheel. Let me know if there is anything I can do better before I drill into a more expensive piece of cast acrylic, thanks ahead of time! Pics below:

cougarguy · 03/04/2007, 09:32 PM

So I guess you had problems with the acrylic too.

My only question is how far apart did you space your plumbing for your pump?

The reason I ask is it looks like the spacing is a little close everything else looks good.

jbd010 · 03/04/2007, 09:57 PM

Actually I managed to drill and uniseal it without even a crack.....but I deffintly do not trust it not to break when it is full of water.

As for the holes I guesstimated for the pump on this one when I realized the acrylic was to thin just to see how it would fit in...so it wouldnt surprise me if they were a bit to close.

cougarguy · 03/04/2007, 10:11 PM

I see thats what I thought I just wanted to throw it out there.

Mine drilled and unisealed fine it was when I tried to remove the pipe that I had the problems.

03/04/2007, 08:50 PM	#1
jbd010 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 33	Give me your opinions on my DIY skimmer After spending some time checking out one of the ten-thouand RC threads on skimmers, I finally bit the bullet and took my best shot at one. I am loosley following RandyStacyE's design. The local plastics place had some 6"x1' extruded acrylic tubes for $5 bucks a pop, unfortunatly they are a bit to thin to support the weight of the stand tube and pump....so this is my rough draft, complete with the exception of the recirc pump. I am planning on using a Gen X 2400 Needle Wheel. Let me know if there is anything I can do better before I drill into a more expensive piece of cast acrylic, thanks ahead of time! Pics below:

03/04/2007, 09:32 PM	#2
cougarguy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: richwood ohio Posts: 314	So I guess you had problems with the acrylic too. My only question is how far apart did you space your plumbing for your pump? The reason I ask is it looks like the spacing is a little close everything else looks good.

03/04/2007, 09:57 PM	#3
jbd010 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 33	Actually I managed to drill and uniseal it without even a crack.....but I deffintly do not trust it not to break when it is full of water. As for the holes I guesstimated for the pump on this one when I realized the acrylic was to thin just to see how it would fit in...so it wouldnt surprise me if they were a bit to close.

03/04/2007, 10:11 PM	#4
cougarguy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: richwood ohio Posts: 314	I see thats what I thought I just wanted to throw it out there. Mine drilled and unisealed fine it was when I tried to remove the pipe that I had the problems.