tazzy695
11-06-2010, 12:15 AM
ok so I got bored today and my tank hasn't had a skimmer for far to long now and decided to go build a skimmer I will update with more pics later
first here is the parts list I used
1 3"/4" pvc toilet flange with nockout plug
1 2' 3" pvc pipe
1 2' 1.5" pvc pipe
2 3" to 1.5" pvc size flanges
2 3"x3"x1.5" 90 t
1 1.5" to 1" reducer
1 1" 90 elbow
1 1" expansion pipe
tools used
saw for cutting pipe
dremmel
pvc glue / primer
#1 glue the first piece of 3" pvc to the toilet flange this is the base
#2 cut pipe high enough to glue a 3"x3"x1.5" 90 on with the curv pointing down and glue piece on
#3 repeat step two
#4 cut a piece of 3" pvc high enough to add one of the 3"x1.5" reducers and glue on the top
this is the finish of the main body
flow input is mad by taking a 1.5" reducer to .5" threaded reducer and installing the .5" hose barb and gluing into the upper 90
the output of the skimmer is made by taking the 1.5" to 1" reducer gluing in the 90 elbow into it then gluing the expansion tube to the top of that GLUE THE REDUCER INTO THE SKIMMER BUT MAKE SURE EXPANSION TUBE IS STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN
now the hardest part is the collection cup
with your dremmel take the second 3"x1.5" reducer and there is a small flange on the inside that keeps the 1.5 pipe from beeing pushed all the way through this must be removed but without mucking up the smooth surface
once you are done removing this flange on the INSIDE place the 1.5" tube through the piece the push into the top of the skimmer DO NOT GLUE mark where the top is and slide flange down to where you want it (for me worked best all the way down mark where you are going to have the bottom of your skimmer cup for gluing in place
decide how tall you want your skimmer cup to be and cut a piece of the remaining 3"pvc for your height do not glue yet
cut the riser tube through the center of the cup about an inch or so below the top of the cup and glue all pieces of the cup in place
REMEMBER NOT TO GLUE THE 1.5" PIPE OUT THE BOTTOM OF THE CUP TO THE SKIMMER OR YOU WONT BE ABLE TO EMPTY YOUR SKIMMATE
here are some pics of the one I built in use I will have to take some detailed pics of the build
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk212/marcp3/2010-11-05233845.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk212/marcp3/2010-11-05233834.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk212/marcp3/2010-11-05233855.jpg
these pics were taken after less then 5hours of run time
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk212/marcp3/2010-11-06003330_Flint_Michigan_US.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk212/marcp3/2010-11-06003502_Flint_Michigan_US.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk212/marcp3/2010-11-06003454_Flint_Michigan_US.jpg
first here is the parts list I used
1 3"/4" pvc toilet flange with nockout plug
1 2' 3" pvc pipe
1 2' 1.5" pvc pipe
2 3" to 1.5" pvc size flanges
2 3"x3"x1.5" 90 t
1 1.5" to 1" reducer
1 1" 90 elbow
1 1" expansion pipe
tools used
saw for cutting pipe
dremmel
pvc glue / primer
#1 glue the first piece of 3" pvc to the toilet flange this is the base
#2 cut pipe high enough to glue a 3"x3"x1.5" 90 on with the curv pointing down and glue piece on
#3 repeat step two
#4 cut a piece of 3" pvc high enough to add one of the 3"x1.5" reducers and glue on the top
this is the finish of the main body
flow input is mad by taking a 1.5" reducer to .5" threaded reducer and installing the .5" hose barb and gluing into the upper 90
the output of the skimmer is made by taking the 1.5" to 1" reducer gluing in the 90 elbow into it then gluing the expansion tube to the top of that GLUE THE REDUCER INTO THE SKIMMER BUT MAKE SURE EXPANSION TUBE IS STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN
now the hardest part is the collection cup
with your dremmel take the second 3"x1.5" reducer and there is a small flange on the inside that keeps the 1.5 pipe from beeing pushed all the way through this must be removed but without mucking up the smooth surface
once you are done removing this flange on the INSIDE place the 1.5" tube through the piece the push into the top of the skimmer DO NOT GLUE mark where the top is and slide flange down to where you want it (for me worked best all the way down mark where you are going to have the bottom of your skimmer cup for gluing in place
decide how tall you want your skimmer cup to be and cut a piece of the remaining 3"pvc for your height do not glue yet
cut the riser tube through the center of the cup about an inch or so below the top of the cup and glue all pieces of the cup in place
REMEMBER NOT TO GLUE THE 1.5" PIPE OUT THE BOTTOM OF THE CUP TO THE SKIMMER OR YOU WONT BE ABLE TO EMPTY YOUR SKIMMATE
here are some pics of the one I built in use I will have to take some detailed pics of the build
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk212/marcp3/2010-11-05233845.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk212/marcp3/2010-11-05233834.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk212/marcp3/2010-11-05233855.jpg
these pics were taken after less then 5hours of run time
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk212/marcp3/2010-11-06003330_Flint_Michigan_US.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk212/marcp3/2010-11-06003502_Flint_Michigan_US.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk212/marcp3/2010-11-06003454_Flint_Michigan_US.jpg