Apple juice skimmer V2.0

[partypalooza5]

I re-worked my DIY skimmer and as far as I'm concerned, it works pretty good! Here's some pics of what it looks like. It's basically a one pump recirculating skimmer. The valve controls how high the water is in the chamber (and how much is recirculated). There was originally a neck washing system but I think that was messing with the performance.

 

[partypalooza5]

I also modded the pump impeller (QuietOne 1200) to be a sort of "threadwheel" with fishing line. Compared to the normal paddle impeller, it chops up the bubbles quite nicely.

And here's the venturi (nothing fancy)

Now for the results! I had the drain connected to a water bottle and the pictures show about a week of skimate (REALLY stinky.) It's a pretty dark color, not a tea-green or a light watery color.

Clear as mud...

 

[Bige]

Looks like a smoking device for woodstock! Good job. Cant beleive the yeild. Better than store bought.

 

[thincat]

Get a patent on it.

 

[partypalooza5]

Quite proud of it. I did a water change and accidentally dumped in too much dechlorinator.. (Yes, I use tapwater. Don't judge xD) so the skimmer just foams water. >_<

 

[thincat]

"Don't judge"....what me judge!

 

[partypalooza5]

"Don't judge"....what me judge!

I'd never accuse. xD

I'm thinking about getting pre-mixed SW from the petstore, I just don't know if it's cost effective.

 

[Bige]

Buying saltwater depends on how much it costs. My store is .79/gallon. I get a "member discount" it is usually 1.50/gallon. It will be more than tap water but you could also buy ro/di from lfs. Either way it is a little cheaper to buy premixed saltwater. But IMO, they dont care as much as you do about your tank. So I buy ro/di then buy the salt I like and mix it myself. This way I get everything I want. RO/DI water with the salt I like at the salinity I choose.

 

[partypalooza5]

The LFS here charges .99/G and says they use Tropic Marin. I have a feeling they really use Coralife.

Anyway, to get back on subject, I put the skimmer back together and have it running. It's still foaming too much because of the dechlorinator. Anyone know how to dilute the dechlor?

 

[thincat]

Do another PWC and use the correct amoount of declor...

 

[Aquarium1]

What kind of dechlor do you use?

 

[partypalooza5]

The Tetra stuff. It's for SW and FW. I know I just put too much in, it comes out of the bottle sort of fast I guess. XD