madmike Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 I saw a thread on RC that showed how to use a BBQ rotisserie motor to make a self cleaning skimmer head. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1682018 I thought I would try my hand at making one, after all these things cost like a thousand bucks and I made one for less than $40. Here is a pic of it and a small video of it in use. I just fed with mysis, so the foam head has died, but look at all the foam in the cup and look how clean the neck is. I am going to put it on a timer to run twice daily for a minute or two. The thread on RC also showed how to make a washdown system, but my skimmer is not linked to a drain yet so that will have to wait for later. video http://s24.photobucket.com/albums/c24/smithrookie/?action=view¤t=DSC_0051.flv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef165 Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Waw that looks like a great idea, ya going to put it on a programable timer or something or dose it go all the time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmike Posted August 7, 2009 Author Share Posted August 7, 2009 Use my ACIII to run it for a minute twice daily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef165 Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Nice!...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 can you but a parts list together,, like what blade? How did you attach it/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 NIIIIIICE Mike! Is that "Red Hot" or "Ran or Shine" glue on the shaft? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmike Posted August 7, 2009 Author Share Posted August 7, 2009 Sure, its a rotisserie from lowes. The original DIY author bought his at walmart for about 20 bucks, but both the walmarts in vancouver were out. The one at lowes uses the same exact motor but cost $35. Then it is just an acrylic 1/2" rod connected to a squeegee. I made the squeegee by sandwiching squeegee material between two pieces of acrylic and tightened it together with nylon bolts/nuts. The rotisserie has a square hole for where the stainless rod goes into it, so I just used a grinder to grind the round peg into a square shape, heated it up a little with a heat gun and pressed it in. I then drilled a tiny hole thru the metal and acrylic and bent a pin thru it to hold it in. all of the metal parts are outside the skimmer mounted on the top of the cup, only the acrylic rod and squeegee material are inside the neck. This was suprisingly easy to do and I think it will help take my reeflo 250 to the next level. Thanks Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmike Posted August 7, 2009 Author Share Posted August 7, 2009 Its weld-on 16 that holds all the acrylic together. Not pretty but it works. Now that I know it works, i might build another cleaner version,lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmike Posted August 7, 2009 Author Share Posted August 7, 2009 Thanks Chewie... you have a reeflo 250 right? wink wink nudge nudge, lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Thats a slick idea well done!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COReefer Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 awesome stuff. I wish I was good at diy stuff=( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Thanks Chewie... you have a reeflo 250 right? wink wink nudge nudge' date=' lol[/quote'] ER RC250. I may give it a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerv503 Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 I HAVE A 10,000 GAL TANK WOULD THIS GADGET WORK ON MY SYSTEM? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 I HAVE A 10' date='000 GAL TANK WOULD THIS GADGET WORK ON MY SYSTEM?[/quote'] I can see it now "Converted septic system = 10,000 gallon reef" (clap) Very cool DIY job! Well done MadMike! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmike Posted August 11, 2009 Author Share Posted August 11, 2009 Thanks! Its working out pretty well so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAVES Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 wish I had more than 1/4 inch of space above the skimmer,,, Mines so tight I have to remove the lid to the collection cup to get the cup out. maybe I can spin the whole skimmer so its not under that pipe..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmike Posted August 31, 2009 Author Share Posted August 31, 2009 I would, its a cheap DIY with great results. I'm gonna get the auto wash going after my vacation and see if it makes it even better. Thanks for the bladder tank! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfisher Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 Do you think you could fab something up for the Remora c's hahaha square peg, round hole. Nice job on the DIY!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAVES Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 Mike Im bringing this thread back from the dead! how is this system working out now? Im moving to the couve and will be setting up a "tank room" in the garage. Finally will have some space to work with! I intend on doing something like this, how is your creation holding up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmike Posted August 20, 2011 Author Share Posted August 20, 2011 It was alright but I upgraded my skimmer to a Super reef octopus 5000 and went with a swabie by Avast marine for it. it has worked out great! With a collection container that holds several gallons of skimmate, I only have to empty it out about once every 1 to 2 weeks. I only clean the skimmer about once a month. I have the swabbie turning on for about 1 minute 4 times daily with my Apex controller. BTW you gotta come by sometime and see the setup. Did you get the house in Salmon Creek? Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAVES Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 It was alright but I upgraded my skimmer to a Super reef octopus 5000 and went with a swabie by Avast marine for it. it has worked out great! With a collection container that holds several gallons of skimmate, I only have to empty it out about once every 1 to 2 weeks. I only clean the skimmer about once a month. I have the swabbie turning on for about 1 minute 4 times daily with my Apex controller. BTW you gotta come by sometime and see the setup. Did you get the house in Salmon Creek? Mike Its still in the works but we are supposed to sign this week. Wanna help move a tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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