Easy Free SC-65 Skimmer Mod

SkullV · 02/21/2012, 03:11 PM

For anyone that has one of these skimmers here is a cheap easy mod to reduce turbulence in the reaction chamber. This in turn reduces the foam head collapsing and increases production.

The issue is rooted in the barb fitting that is used on the pump outlet. This fitting directs the pumps output directly at the bubble plate with very close proximity to the bubble plate. Due to the small closed design of the skimmer this is about the best mod I could come up with (really just mimics the Bubble Magus NAC3.5), but it seems to be working very well.

Very simple. Just cut the barb off the output fitting flush with the portion of the fitting that secures the pump to the skimmer body:

If you want to get really fancy, you can also use the dremmel sanding wheel (or similar) to countersink the output which will spread the flow out of the outlet a bit. This will further reduce turbulence by reducing the flow directed straight at the bubble plate.

Enjoy!

6Speed · 02/21/2012, 03:48 PM

Does this increase bubbles coming out of the output pipe?

edit: nevermind I see the answer to my own question. I thought the outlet pipe was inside the bubble plate chamber from your pic but it's just outside of it.

SkullV · 02/21/2012, 05:34 PM

No more bubbles coming from the output of the skimmer. I did notice that I had to raise the water level in the skimmer slightly but that doesn't make any difference to me.

allsps40 · 02/21/2012, 05:38 PM

Good idea there. I need to look at my SC150 for this issue though my foam head is very stable.

SkullV · 02/21/2012, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allsps40

Good idea there. I need to look at my SC150 for this issue though my foam head is very stable.

I believe your SC150 has a bubble plate which is semi blocked off. If you direct the output of the pump at the blocked off side of the bubble plate you are accomplishing the same thing (but even better). This is how the larger bubble plate on my Bubble Magus NAC8 is designed.

tommy tomato · 02/21/2012, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkullV

I believe your SC150 has a bubble plate which is semi blocked off. If you direct the output of the pump at the blocked off side of the bubble plate you are accomplishing the same thing (but even better). This is how the larger bubble plate on my Bubble Magus NAC8 is designed.

I need to turn my bubble plate around! I'll be doing it in the morning when I get off work..hopefully it'll fix my micro bubble problem too

wildman926 · 02/22/2012, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkullV

For anyone that has one of these skimmers here is a cheap easy mod to reduce turbulence in the reaction chamber. This in turn reduces the foam head collapsing and increases production.

The issue is rooted in the barb fitting that is used on the pump outlet. This fitting directs the pumps output directly at the bubble plate with very close proximity to the bubble plate. Due to the small closed design of the skimmer this is about the best mod I could come up with (really just mimics the Bubble Magus NAC3.5), but it seems to be working very well.

Very simple. Just cut the barb off the output fitting flush with the portion of the fitting that secures the pump to the skimmer body:

If you want to get really fancy, you can also use the dremmel sanding wheel (or similar) to countersink the output which will spread the flow out of the outlet a bit. This will further reduce turbulence by reducing the flow directed straight at the bubble plate.

Enjoy!

symon_say · 02/22/2012, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommy tomato

I need to turn my bubble plate around! I'll be doing it in the morning when I get off work..hopefully it'll fix my micro bubble problem too

Put a 90 elbow at the lower part of the blu pipe and point it to the opposite wall of your bubble trap, this will avoid micro bubbles from passing skimmer chamber.

mic209 · 02/22/2012, 06:54 PM

Thank You for this idea, made a big difference in skimmer production.

6Speed · 02/28/2012, 02:10 PM

any nog photos? Can you give a review of the skimmer?

JMurphy97 · 02/29/2012, 09:41 AM

I just got my sc-65 yesterday and I have two of the pieces you say to cut. This is my first skimmer so I'm a bit puzzled on if you use both of those pieces. The skimmer came in pieces so I used the other thread as reference to put it together and I have that one piece left over. Any help is appreciated.

SkullV · 02/29/2012, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMurphy97

I just got my sc-65 yesterday and I have two of the pieces you say to cut. This is my first skimmer so I'm a bit puzzled on if you use both of those pieces. The skimmer came in pieces so I used the other thread as reference to put it together and I have that one piece left over. Any help is appreciated.

For some reason they send an extra. I cut one and saved the other one.

JMurphy97 · 02/29/2012, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkullV

For some reason they send an extra. I cut one and saved the other one.

Cool thanks I was figuring that was the case and you just use the cut one inside your skimmer. Time to get cutting.

SkullV · 02/29/2012, 11:00 AM

I have been toying around with another mod to the skimmer outlet to reduce microbubbles. It's in use now but I'm leaving the country for 11 days. When I get back I'll post it up pending how it worked while I was gone.

allsps40 · 02/29/2012, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkullV

I believe your SC150 has a bubble plate which is semi blocked off. If you direct the output of the pump at the blocked off side of the bubble plate you are accomplishing the same thing (but even better). This is how the larger bubble plate on my Bubble Magus NAC8 is designed.

Yep that is how mine is. This post just got me wondering thats all.

allsps40 · 02/29/2012, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6Speed

any nog photos? Can you give a review of the skimmer?

Check my SC150 review, there is a lot on the SC65 in there as well.

TS14 · 03/01/2012, 09:00 AM

Tagging alone , thinking of getting the sc-65 for my 46 bow

6Speed · 03/01/2012, 09:50 AM

I just ordered one up the other day. It should be here soon. I'm going to post a full review of it once I get it.

JMurphy97 · 03/01/2012, 09:55 AM

I got mine Tuesday, got it up and running yesterday at 12:45 pm and less then 12 hours it already has some brown gunk foaming up.

emmanuel · 03/09/2012, 05:24 PM

got my 65 today let it run for an hour in 1/5 vinegar/rodi wiped it down and it looks promising nothing collecting yet but it does have some nice foam head and its a lot quieter than my remora and a little louder than my silent sapphire aquatics probably comparable in sound to the POS Tunze 9002
also did this mod I didnt even turn it on before making this mod I hope it's a positive thing I cant see it hurting anything

scolley · 03/16/2012, 09:31 PM

Thanks for posting what appears to be an easy - but highly beneficial - mod!

One question... Does this reduction in the exit height of the bubbles create the functional equivalent of raising the water level on the skimmer the same distance as the length cut from the barb fitting? Assuming that the actual level has remained constant...

Or simply put... Does cutting 1.5" off the fitting cause the skimmer to perform as if the water depth has just increased by 1.5"?

Thanks!

scolley · 03/26/2012, 07:45 PM

Sorry SkullV. After rereading your second post, it appears that this mod causes the skimmer to perform as if its in less water, not more.

And that's good for me, since my water is about 9.75" deep - a shade too deep. Will be trying this. Thanks!

Danny_B · 05/02/2012, 01:47 PM

Ok, so i got my sc-65 a week ago, did vinegar bath, cut one of the barbs as shown, put in my sump and it broke in, pulling very dark crud and particles. However i want to make sure im running it efficient. My skimmer is sitting in 8" of water, and i cant go any higher because my sump will overflow if i have a power outage. i have an ato so i dont have any flucuations. My question is, what depth are you guys running you skimmers in? and, If im already running my skimmer at 8", if running the cut barb, i am effectively running in 7" or less... am i going to be better of running the uncut barb? I swapped it in today to check, let me know what you think.

kidkaos520 · 08/17/2012, 12:32 PM

does anyone know the minimum height of water the sc65 can be placed in??

nebraskareef · 08/17/2012, 12:39 PM

I believe 6 to 8 inches. I've only run it on a rock cure tub so I never baffled it

Excuse my typos. I'm posting on my Samsung Galaxy SIII using tapatalk 3 HD.

02/21/2012, 03:11 PM	#1
SkullV They Got My Number Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 6,898	Easy Free SC-65 Skimmer Mod For anyone that has one of these skimmers here is a cheap easy mod to reduce turbulence in the reaction chamber. This in turn reduces the foam head collapsing and increases production. The issue is rooted in the barb fitting that is used on the pump outlet. This fitting directs the pumps output directly at the bubble plate with very close proximity to the bubble plate. Due to the small closed design of the skimmer this is about the best mod I could come up with (really just mimics the Bubble Magus NAC3.5), but it seems to be working very well. Very simple. Just cut the barb off the output fitting flush with the portion of the fitting that secures the pump to the skimmer body: If you want to get really fancy, you can also use the dremmel sanding wheel (or similar) to countersink the output which will spread the flow out of the outlet a bit. This will further reduce turbulence by reducing the flow directed straight at the bubble plate. Enjoy! __________________ -Ted- Be cautious of those willing to share their "knowledge" but not their results. Last edited by SkullV; 02/21/2012 at 03:39 PM.

02/21/2012, 03:48 PM	#2
6Speed Zardoz Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South Posts: 1,036	Does this increase bubbles coming out of the output pipe? edit: nevermind I see the answer to my own question. I thought the outlet pipe was inside the bubble plate chamber from your pic but it's just outside of it. Last edited by 6Speed; 02/21/2012 at 03:59 PM.

02/21/2012, 05:34 PM	#3
SkullV They Got My Number Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 6,898	No more bubbles coming from the output of the skimmer. I did notice that I had to raise the water level in the skimmer slightly but that doesn't make any difference to me. __________________ -Ted- Be cautious of those willing to share their "knowledge" but not their results.

02/21/2012, 05:38 PM	#4
allsps40 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 4,627	Good idea there. I need to look at my SC150 for this issue though my foam head is very stable. __________________ __________ Current Tank Info: Past reef tanks: 20H softy, 29G mixed reef, 55G mixed reef, 40B sps dominant mixed reef and 75G sps dominant mixed reef. No tank currently

02/29/2012, 11:00 AM	#14
SkullV They Got My Number Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 6,898	I have been toying around with another mod to the skimmer outlet to reduce microbubbles. It's in use now but I'm leaving the country for 11 days. When I get back I'll post it up pending how it worked while I was gone. __________________ -Ted- Be cautious of those willing to share their "knowledge" but not their results.

02/22/2012, 06:54 PM	#9
mic209 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Arroyo Grande, CA Posts: 1,338	Thank You for this idea, made a big difference in skimmer production.

02/28/2012, 02:10 PM	#10
6Speed Zardoz Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South Posts: 1,036	any nog photos? Can you give a review of the skimmer?

02/29/2012, 09:41 AM	#11
JMurphy97 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 397	I just got my sc-65 yesterday and I have two of the pieces you say to cut. This is my first skimmer so I'm a bit puzzled on if you use both of those pieces. The skimmer came in pieces so I used the other thread as reference to put it together and I have that one piece left over. Any help is appreciated.

03/01/2012, 09:00 AM	#17
TS14 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 69	Tagging alone , thinking of getting the sc-65 for my 46 bow

03/01/2012, 09:50 AM	#18
6Speed Zardoz Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South Posts: 1,036	I just ordered one up the other day. It should be here soon. I'm going to post a full review of it once I get it.

03/01/2012, 09:55 AM	#19
JMurphy97 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 397	I got mine Tuesday, got it up and running yesterday at 12:45 pm and less then 12 hours it already has some brown gunk foaming up.

03/09/2012, 05:24 PM	#20
emmanuel Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: new york Posts: 179	got my 65 today let it run for an hour in 1/5 vinegar/rodi wiped it down and it looks promising nothing collecting yet but it does have some nice foam head and its a lot quieter than my remora and a little louder than my silent sapphire aquatics probably comparable in sound to the POS Tunze 9002 also did this mod I didnt even turn it on before making this mod I hope it's a positive thing I cant see it hurting anything

03/16/2012, 09:31 PM	#21
scolley ARKSC Founding Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: CT Posts: 2,823	Thanks for posting what appears to be an easy - but highly beneficial - mod! One question... Does this reduction in the exit height of the bubbles create the functional equivalent of raising the water level on the skimmer the same distance as the length cut from the barb fitting? Assuming that the actual level has remained constant... Or simply put... Does cutting 1.5" off the fitting cause the skimmer to perform as if the water depth has just increased by 1.5"? Thanks! __________________ - Steve Longing for "fact based" reef keeping - with hearsay, non sequiturs, dogma and other types of bad “information” removed from our discussions.

03/26/2012, 07:45 PM	#22
scolley ARKSC Founding Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: CT Posts: 2,823	Sorry SkullV. After rereading your second post, it appears that this mod causes the skimmer to perform as if its in less water, not more. And that's good for me, since my water is about 9.75" deep - a shade too deep. Will be trying this. Thanks! __________________ - Steve Longing for "fact based" reef keeping - with hearsay, non sequiturs, dogma and other types of bad “information” removed from our discussions.

05/02/2012, 01:47 PM	#23
Danny_B Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: North Phoenix Posts: 399	Ok, so i got my sc-65 a week ago, did vinegar bath, cut one of the barbs as shown, put in my sump and it broke in, pulling very dark crud and particles. However i want to make sure im running it efficient. My skimmer is sitting in 8" of water, and i cant go any higher because my sump will overflow if i have a power outage. i have an ato so i dont have any flucuations. My question is, what depth are you guys running you skimmers in? and, If im already running my skimmer at 8", if running the cut barb, i am effectively running in 7" or less... am i going to be better of running the uncut barb? I swapped it in today to check, let me know what you think.

08/17/2012, 12:32 PM	#24
kidkaos520 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,013	does anyone know the minimum height of water the sc65 can be placed in??

08/17/2012, 12:39 PM	#25
nebraskareef MFCEO Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,495 Blog Entries: 1	I believe 6 to 8 inches. I've only run it on a rock cure tub so I never baffled it Excuse my typos. I'm posting on my Samsung Galaxy SIII using tapatalk 3 HD. __________________ Originally Posted by tmz "Now if I drink the vodka the colors do look much better than if I drink the vinegar."