SmallFry's first tank.. (27g FOWLR)

[Skimmerking]

Hey where about do you live at . Give Doug a PM he has a great hang on Skimmer for that tank... love to see your tank too. I'm on Dennis Street too.

Originally Posted by SmallFry

It's been a while again, but there's been quite a bit going on outside the tank - bought a house and had to halt the tank upgrade for a while. Also it looks like it's going to go in the basement, which needs a ceiling!

I have managed to pick up a few bit here and there though. A 30 gallon tank second hand for a sump is the latest. I'm currently in the process of tearing out the old wrecked silicone before re-siliconing it.

I have the skimmer, just the lighting and a load of rock from BRS to go.

It's a bit frustrating, but there you go, but that brings me to the main subject of the post. My current piece of crap hang on skimmer. Seriously it's a waste of the earth's natural resources - no kidding.
If anyone tries to sell you a Weipro skimmer, just say no...
Anyway, with the move to the big tank and the better skimmer on hold, I had to do something. I'm battling to keep the water quality up and getting no help from the skimmer. I left it running to boost gas exchange as I have a covered tank, but lately I reckon it can't be doing much for that either. No matter how much I clean it, play with it, cajole or curse it, it just seems to get worse. Something had to give, so I was left with a choice of buying another one (which would cost about half the price if the rock for the big tank) or rig something. I chose the second option.

A trip to Windsor Plywood saw me with a board foot of 1" basswood (apparently the same as limewood) which I ripped into a 1/8" piece of end grain. Then I got out the C/A and made an airstone that would fit down in the body if the skimmer by the inlet. It's about 1" square by 3/8" (sorry, didn't have the presence of mind to take a photo). I drilled the lid of the skimmer and fed the airline down through the neck.

The results are spectacular. If I block the venturi, it's much quieter or a start, and there's bubbles - lots of bubbles.

From this:


The skimmate and the foam you see is left over from running it with the airstone earlier. Check out the lack of bubbles!

To this:


For the first time (pretty much ever) it's skimming!

And the best bit is for 6 bucks I've got enough wood for about a hundred or so airstones.. It may be my imagination, but the fish seem to be more active too, perhaps the oxygen levels have increased.. Or it could be in my head.

But still - IT SKIMMS!!!

[Skimmerking]

well get that 75 gal on this thread as a roll over come on ROB

you should take my 150 gal off my hands too

[SmallFry]

Originally Posted by Skimmer King

well get that 75 gal on this thread as a roll over come on ROB

If that darned rock would cure I would be making some progress. I'm going to start the overflow and drilling the tank as soon as I've done finishing the garage - taped the drywall today, so just the sanding to go..

Originally Posted by Skimmer King

you should take my 150 gal off my hands too

Ya, the thing is - I haven't managed to get the 75 off the ground yet...

[Skimmerking]

if ya need a help with the drilling Rob let me know ok. i have a dremel
and where my TV is now. That is where the tank will be going. Tammy says she wants a fake wall there to hide the tank ..

[SmallFry]

Originally Posted by Skimmer King

if ya need a help with the drilling Rob let me know ok. i have a dremel
and where my TV is now. That is where the tank will be going. Tammy says she wants a fake wall there to hide the tank ..

May well do.. Likewise if you want a hand framing the wall...

[Doug]

Uh guys. I have a bit remember.

[Skimmerking]

ya the wall thing i may ask you for some since you are a framing guy to get some advice...

[SmallFry]

Originally Posted by Doug

Uh guys. I have a bit remember.

Ooh.. Out of curiosity what size is it? Would be really handy if I could borrow it when the time comes to drill holes in my overflow. I've been talked (by Mike) into cutting a slot in the back and having an external overflow. Still on the fence as to whether I drill the returns through the back or go over the top..

Rob.

[Skimmerking]

its up to u rob

[SmallFry]

Originally Posted by Skimmer King

its up to u rob

Oh no, don't get me wrong - I think it's definitely the way to go, I'd much rather not have an overflow protruding into the tank. After all, all that rock I made is going to take up a fair bit of space as it is if it ever cures...

I was initially a bit nervous of the idea of cutting a slot (never drilled glass before, let alone cut a slot), but as you say, all the pressure is at the bottom of the tank, and the overflow will brace it anyway. I'm thinking I'll make the slot pretty long (almost coast to coast) and narrow so I don't need a grating across it. Will look really clean I reckon.

I just needed a nudge in the right direction..