wanareef Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Been thinking about which pump to put on my big skimmer and got a deal on a Laguna Maxflow 2900 from a PSAS buddy in Seattle. Pump came bare and needed a Volute, so I made one. This should kick butt and pull a lot of air and use less electricity with the pinwheel. The first one I made using 3/8" material for the holder (bracket) was too thick, would have to get longer screws. First one on the right in last pix. The outlet needed to be raised up more. So I build another one. It's on the left in the last pix Just waiting for my PinWheel to get here. (whistle) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tertansin2 Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Nice work!! Looks very professionally made. You should post some pictures of your skimmer. Are you taking any orders? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Nice work Charles! Let me know if you need any help dialing it in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted April 7, 2009 Author Share Posted April 7, 2009 Thanks Jon, since I don't have a tank yet, I'll bring it over when it's finished and let you play with it. (whistle) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted April 7, 2009 Author Share Posted April 7, 2009 tertansin2 That skimmer is here. Added a drain plate and a bubble plate not pictured. http://www.pnwmas.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10555 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tertansin2 Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 What size of tank are you going to put that on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 That's really nice work. I'm doing something similar to an Aquaclear 70 powerhead. How did you decide on the "depth" (front to back) of the new volute? What size is the one you made? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Looks great! I can't wait to see how it well it works! I am planning something very similar with a Laguna/Askoll 1500 for a DIY cone skimmer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tertansin2 Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Ryan, If you can build a cone skimmer with a bubble plate. I'll take one! They are so expensive right now I would have to sell my tank to get one. The best price I could find is the i-tech but there is not a lot of info on it. It sound like a good skimmer and built in the US. Here is some info on it: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1536745&perpage=25&pagenumber=1 If you want to copy a good cone skimmer I would do the Royal Exclusiv-Vertex Alpha Cone Skimmer. Here are some links to the skimmer: 1. http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=VX-A250&Category_Code=Vertex 2. http://glassbox-design.com/2009/new-royal-exclusiv-vertex-alpha-cone-skimmer-intro-pricing-and-more-photos/ Ter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 It will be a copy of the royle....still won't be cheap though. The pump and cone alone will be over $400. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted April 8, 2009 Author Share Posted April 8, 2009 Some pix's of the pump attached to the skimmer. Still waiting for the PinWheel DOH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted April 8, 2009 Author Share Posted April 8, 2009 Those cones are nice but not worth the $$ for me. I'd rather build one myself and watch it work and function as planned. Much more enjoyment to see it come together. On my volute, there is no gasket on the back of the mounting "plate". It has on "O" ring on the pump housing and I made the mounting "plate" a snug fit. You have to turn and push it on. Ryan - Have you thought of using the Sicce PSK 2500 Pump from Salt Water Connection it's only $109 + ship Comes with Needle wheel and meshwheel and uses low watts, forgot the numbers DOH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertareef Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 That is looking really sharp! Nice work! Can't wait to see that fired up... hope your pinwheel shows up soon. Makes me think I should dig that huge skimmer body out of the basement and see about modifying it. Seems like there are a lot of folk on here who could give some good ideas on that - it could use a bubble plate and a pump. Not like I don't have enough to do already... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted April 8, 2009 Author Share Posted April 8, 2009 That's really nice work. I'm doing something similar to an Aquaclear 70 powerhead. How did you decide on the "depth" (front to back) of the new volute? What size is the one you made? The body is from a 4" PVC connector and it 4.5" around and 1 3/4" deep. You'll need to measure everything, the length of the pinwheel from the pump housing plus an 1/4". I used a circle cutter on the router and had to shim the hole up a little smaller to fit snug. Then used this as a templet to route out the permanent one. Just remember the outlet has to be above or below center and not exactly on center with the pump. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tertansin2 Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Looking good keep the pics coming? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Ryan - Have you thought of using the Sicce PSK 2500 Pump from Salt Water Connection it's only $109 + ship Comes with Needle wheel and meshwheel and uses low watts, forgot the numbers DOH! I have not considered the Sicce pump for the skimmer I am planning. I was making a much smaller skimmer (6" base) I would consider the Sicce. Here is what I have planned: Cone: 10" base, 5.5" top, 15.5" tall Neck: 5" diameter, 6" tall Cup: 10" diameter, 6" tall Overall Height: 24.5" Pump: Laguna/Askoll 1500 with DIY Voulte It will be very similar to your skimmer, only with a cone body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tertansin2 Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 wanareef, Nice work on the bubble plate looks like it took a lot work. Good job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted April 9, 2009 Author Share Posted April 9, 2009 tertansin2 thanks Ryan Can't wait to see your skimmer. How are you gonna to make the cone? Will you be using salad bowls? That's the hardest part to make or you can buy it. Post pix's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 I am going to buy the cone, and laser cut all of the flange/bubble plate pieces. Unfortunetly, acrylic cones are not cheep. The whole skimmer will come out to about half the price of a prebuilt high-end come skimmer. It will be for a 120ish gallon display. There are a few companies I found who produce acrylic cones for skimmer applications but they are $275-$350 for the size I want. SWC sells the cone they use in their skimmers for $209 and it is very close in size to what I am looking for. So SWC it is! Hopefully I'll be starting on it soon! I need to sell some equipment I have lying arround first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted April 11, 2009 Author Share Posted April 11, 2009 That Laser is a very handy tool. You could make a lot of nice form fitting parts. I want a Laser too. I just do it the old fashion way, by hand You might want to take another look at the Sicce PSK 2500 30 -50 scfm @ 17 - 30watts @ $109 vs the 1500 Laguna @ $221 You can get 2 of the Sicce's for the price of one Laguna 1500 @ 100watts Just an idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 nice....thanx for the heads up Charles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COReefer Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 I"m loving this project. I wish I were handy enough to do something like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Get some bubbles in that skimmer, I "wannasee" how everything works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COReefer Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Get some bubbles in that skimmer' date=' I "wannasee" how everything works.[/quote'] no kidding. Quit being a slacker(nono) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 lol....would be nice to see some of this in action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.