yauger November 12, 2007 Share November 12, 2007 Hey fellow WAMAS'ers just wanted to post something here about the skimmer MOD Mike did for me over the weekend... I thought it was way cool and easy to do this MOD... Needed parts listing: 3/4" uniseal 1" uniseal 1" PVC 90 elbow 3/4" PVC connector 1/2" tubing 1/2" Hose Barb Weldon #16 Glue Equipment Router PVC Cutters & Hack Saw silicone Hole saw Drill & Drill Bits TIME (2 Hours) Started off by cutting the 3/4" connector down 50% in size to reduce the total length of the pump attaching to the skimmer... Mike had to shave down the interior walls of the PVC fittings and the thickness of the pump intake nozzle to get them to fit correctly... Snug as a bug... Used a router to slim down the interior of the 1" elbow and a file for the pump nozzle.. Drilling the first main hole in the skimmer body is the next step... First measure the position of the pvc fittings and mark with a sharpy marker... Find the correct size hole saw for the uniseal, and the drill away! Mike drilled half speed on the drill to minimize melting and still give a clean cut of the acrylic... worked out nicely... Once drilled file off any rough spots and replace skimmer pump into its new configuration. Once the pump is in place a secondary hole is required for a main water feed line... This is accomplished by drilling a 1/2" hole near the top of the skimmer to force water downward... Use the 1/2" hose barb as a model to measure out your hole size... Once you have the hose barb in place seal the hole with WeldON #16 to close any uneven holes to prevent leaks.. Once you have that in place cut some 1/2" tubing to size and connect to your new recirculating Skimmer... Last but not least SMILE FOR THE CAMERA MIKE!!! And if your wondering if this skimmer MOD works well.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnguyen4007 November 12, 2007 Share November 12, 2007 Easy to do for most folks. For those with 2 left hands like mine, it's not so easy. I was lost after the first photo. LOL James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txaggies07 November 12, 2007 Share November 12, 2007 Awesome. I think I might have to try that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dell2go November 12, 2007 Share November 12, 2007 What model is the ER? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yauger November 12, 2007 Author Share November 12, 2007 What model is the ER? ES5-2+ I think its the one rated for 80 - 100 gallons heavy stocked... The pump is a ehime 3500 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dell2go November 12, 2007 Share November 12, 2007 (edited) Thanks. Is there a gate valve? I couldn't see one in the pic. Never mind, I saw it. What feed pump are you using? Edited November 12, 2007 by Dell2go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yauger November 12, 2007 Author Share November 12, 2007 Thanks. Is there a gate valve? I couldn't see one in the pic. Never mind, I saw it. What feed pump are you using? maxi-jet 1200... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason the filter freak November 13, 2007 Share November 13, 2007 I thought it was pretty easy to follow, thanks for the step by step with the pictures, you should do the gate valve mod next Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discretekarma November 13, 2007 Share November 13, 2007 I'm pretty sure you can do the gate valve mod. I think you could have done the recirc by yourself but I can understand not wanting to drill your skimmer if you're not used to doing that type of work. The gate valve is a mod that you can do and won't risk damaging your skimmer at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason the filter freak November 14, 2007 Share November 14, 2007 you gonna go for the gate valve mod too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rascal November 15, 2007 Share November 15, 2007 And if your wondering if this skimmer MOD works well.... Josh: Glad to see that it is working OK for you. Looks like a nice chamber full of bubbles. Happy to help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbyatv March 5, 2008 Share March 5, 2008 Did the mod change the performance of the skimmer? Did you see an increase in the amount of skimmate? Was there an impact on the tank water quality? Thanks, Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbyatv March 6, 2008 Share March 6, 2008 Yauger, Where did you find the uniseals? I looked at Ace and they were clueless. Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami March 6, 2008 Share March 6, 2008 BRK carries uniseals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yauger March 6, 2008 Author Share March 6, 2008 Yauger, Where did you find the uniseals? I looked at Ace and they were clueless. Bruce BRK is your best bet.. I bought mine from US Plastics on a larger order for the 180 project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbyatv March 6, 2008 Share March 6, 2008 Thanks. I found some at a good price here as well: http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseac...detail/iid/8600 Bruce BRK is your best bet.. I bought mine from US Plastics on a larger order for the 180 project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmax7774 March 14, 2008 Share March 14, 2008 Bruce did you do the mod yet? Let me know if you need any tools or help... John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbyatv March 14, 2008 Share March 14, 2008 John, No. I have been busy getting the 30g down into the 90g. I will likely do it in a few eeks. I did get the uniseals in the mail. I have 2 x 3/4" and 2 x 1" seals. I bought extra in case I damage one during the mod. Bruce Bruce did you do the mod yet? Let me know if you need any tools or help... John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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