Diy Surface Skimmer

[blabadie]

I went to PetCo today and bought some silicon sealant and picked up some plexi glass from my local hardware store (LHS?). I am building a small box that will house the intake of my HOB filter. I have already assembled most of the box and need to still use a saw to put slits in the top. I guess what I am trying to accomplish is that water will run through the slits and into the box, then be sucked into my filter which will catch any debris from the top of the water. I think it's a grand idea and if I fail... well it was fun figuring out that cutting plexi glass is probably what satan makes you do in hell all day

Pictures tomorrow...


Brandon

 

[blabadie]

Ok, I've had a bad week. Here are the pictures finally...

This is the Plexi Glass, the cutter, and my HoB which I am designing the whole thing around:

Here is the plexi glass after I cut one square for one of the sides:

Don't let the scissors fool you...you can't use them, I tried to break apart the plexi glass using the scissors to help, but I ended up just snapping it in half (as you can see in the photo). This is really ridiculously hard, but I have all sides completed and just need to figure out how to make the holes for the water to flow through. I am thinking I will use a drill and drill round holes towards the top. Anyone have any arguments against that? Any comments, anything you can say to help me.


Brandon

 

[atmmachine816]

I'm a little confused, is there any way you can make a sketch?

Looking forward to some more progress.

 

[blabadie]

I can describe it a little.

There will be a rectangular box with holes in it. The holes will let water into the box, which will take the oil off of the surface (the holes will be located at the surface of the water). The intake of my filter will then suck the water out of the box, thus cleaning the surface of my water. Eh? Eh?

Brandon

 

[wflash3]

hmm having a hard time figuring out how this will work?

good luck anyways =]

 

[GrantyBoy]

Basically I think he is going for more surface aggitaion to help prevent the build up of the surface film

 

[Betta5]

Is it

Surface of water >>> in the box >>> sucked up by the filter >>> dropped back into the tank?

Sounds good to me

 

[blabadie]

Exactly, but I am scrapping it. Apparently plexi glass = not a good idea. It turns yellow/gets yucky fast. I bought an overflow tank and will post pics of my 5 gallon sump later

Tiny as heck...

Brandon