skimmer waste storage container

#1 09-11-2009, 03:00 AM

looks like a great idea but I don't know. keep everyone informed as to how it is working for you..

Bill

mike31154 · #2 09-11-2009, 04:40 AM

I use the 2L pop bottle, but have it sitting in an ice cream pail for added capacity just in case. My skimmer runs fairly dry so it takes a very looong time to fill up, weeks probably.

Only time I ever overflowed the pop bottle was when I mispositioned the air stones too close to the skimmer outlet pipe and it caused a partial blockage. Couldn't figure out why the cup was overflowing with the ball valve I use to control the water column height all the way open. The pump I use is normally not able to overflow the skimmer with the valve fully open. Thought to myself, how does a pump get more powerful when it gets older?? Then I noticed a slight knocking noise and realized it was the airstones getting sucked against the outlet causing a restriction resulting in the water column rising too high, doh.

UnderTheSea · #3 09-11-2009, 05:25 PM

Tap a JG fitting into the cap on a 2L or 3L bottle and run the line from your skimmer cup into that.

Personally I used to use an additional capacity of the 3L bottle on the CSS200 but then realized I became a little lax in cleaning the skimmer cup and skimmer itself. Upgraded to a ER RS250 and don't plan to drill it for an additional collection.

byee · #4 09-13-2009, 07:09 AM

I went thru the same learning curve using a cranberry 1 gallon jug with a simple slightly oversized hole drilled into the lid.

I've modified it by using a barbed type fitting similar to a bulkhead fitting. Also drilled one into the top of the waste as a safety. Once the jug over fills, the waste cup will start to fill until it reaches the safety. Mine just flows back into the sump.

Much better option then coming home to a flooded basement !

If anyone is interested, I can post photos.

mark · #5 09-13-2009, 03:53 PM

My skimmer sits in my sump so if I forget to empty the cup, just spills back into it.

Clean the cup and neck every time I empty it.

banditpowdercoat · #6 09-13-2009, 04:10 PM

Clean the cup every time??!!! What a novel idea LOL. Acctually, removal of my cup is a PITA. My sump is acctually to tall. Thats why the collection bottle. Longer time before I have to exert expletitives

Doug · #7 09-13-2009, 04:32 PM

Dan, I have seen many aquarists, including myself once, make a waste collector from a salt bucket. Works great but, always though it was pretty large for an overflow.

Same design could be used for a smaller bucket or anything with a sealed top. Same as others, a ping pong ball was used for the float and air shut off when collector was full.