protein skimmer mod

[woods4542000]

Has anyone adjusted plumbing on a protein Skimmer ? I have a euro reef with a sedra 3500 needlewheel pump that I got used ,and want to put in my very limited space sump. I have a trickle filter that I turned Bio ball section into refugium, and all I have for space is around that, with one of the corners of refugium angled to allow more space on that outside corner. That is where I would need Skimmer, with air inlet arm going one way and 90 degrees in the other direction would be the pump. So what I would have to do is cut new hole in Skimmer and extend the plumbing for the pump and cover old hole. Hole I have to cut is 1 1/4 ". Any suggestions if anyone has done something like this ,what to cut acrylic with? And would bubbles from pump be effective with say 6 " + extra plumbing from pump to Skimmer body? Thanks!

[Chris]

air inlet arm? The only air inlet would be the small tubing coming off the pump that brings air into the skimmer to make bubbles...... Are you talking about the large plastic tube that is adjustable, because that is actually the return where the water the pump brings in goes out. You raise that up and down to adjust the amout of water inside the skimmer body itself.

While it probably won't make a big difference, the performance may slightly decrease but I don't think 6" of extra pipe would make much difference, the thing that may drop it the most would be changing the angle/ rotation of the plumbing coming into the skimmer body. I dont think any drop in performance would be drastic, but as long as the patch is fully sealed and holds it should still be fairly effective.

[woods4542000]

Yes the adjustable outlet lol, and the plumbing already just goes into body straight no angle. Any suggestions for cutting new hole in Skimmer body?

[Chris]

I believe a fine toothed holesaw would be the tool of choice for that job, but im not 100% and would definitely take it nice and slow