Skimmer Basket Mod

This simple mod might be of interest to those of you sharing sump space with a skimmer and a refugium. My skimmers have been sucking in bits of floating chaeto algae from time to time. Once clogged, the skimmer water level changes and performance is compromised. I thought of several complicated things before going with a strawberry basket acting as a strainer. I am currently testing it out. So far, so good. If need be I can add zip ties or mesh from a fish net to block smaller pieces.

 

Matt,

In my DIY sump, my skimmer sits in it's own plastic bin- Bought at Menards, could be wallyworld, HD, etc. I have an opening/slit/slot on the side it empties onto my chaeto mass. This is also is a 'basket' to keep most of it out of the RP.

The slot is placed at my preceived optimal skimmer height.

This way, the chaeto never sees the chamber with the skimmer.

Just a simple plastic bin, etc.

 

That sounds like a nice fix Todd. Thanks for sharing. I'd love to see a pic if you have one.

 

I like the strawberry bin idea. I bet if you wrap it in some mesh like the BRS stuff people use for tank lids you'd be set.

 

I like it.Nice skimmer.......;D
You could ziptie some needle point screen to the basket for smaller particles but it may be fine as is.8)

 

I like it Matt, I really dig DYI stuff!

If you want to spend a bit more time you could use that basket as a template and build one out of the popular craft store plastic canvas (popular for Algae Turf Scrubbers).

I made one for my ATO float, I've pulled quite a few astrea starfish off it since it is now in my sump!
My construction thread.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/jbj-ato-float-switch-mod-update-pg-2-pics-138950.html

 

THanks guys and great ideas.
Keep 'em coming!

matt

 

Post #12 on this thread has a good still shot. the video shows it too.
http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/my-diy-sump-thread-140525-2.html

 

How do you like that skimmer matt? How quiet is it?

 

Very quiet when you dial in the needle to almost closed as I have it. I like that skimmer a lot. Only issue I have had: last week the acrylic rod that holds the diffuser came unglued. I had a tube of E6000 laying around, so it was not a big deal as I had to clean the skimmer anyway. I cleaned it up, scratched off old and put on the new. It was back online the next day. EDIT - I did initially have a problem with restarts with orig impeller - new tapered impeller from skimz took care of that.