WOOT lol Odyssea NEEDLE WHEEL skimmer! - Page 6

ziac · 06/02/2007, 08:09 AM

thanks for the pic of your venturi what size line are you useing to draw the air in ?

luke33 · 06/02/2007, 08:31 AM

The line is 5/8" OD and 1/2" ID

ziac · 06/02/2007, 09:50 AM

ok thanks I thought that was the barb adpter size could you please tell me what size that is also

luke33 · 06/02/2007, 10:58 AM

It was 1/4" on the side i put inside the bulkhead and 1/2" od, for the tube side.

pbukow · 06/02/2007, 02:49 PM

Luke, what did u do to seal the barb fitting to the bulkhead with?

luke33 · 06/02/2007, 05:07 PM

Nada, you don't need to seal it, just make it a tight fit. If its to your liking and working well, then you can use cauk to seal it, but i never do.

chevegan · 06/02/2007, 11:48 PM

Luke that looks amazing. As far as the recirc mod it was done twice before on this forum. I believe pages 3-6ish? WAYYY back before it split. There are pics of it and everything. One of the guys cracked his first one and just bought another. Even with doing that it came out way cheaper than buying one new.

My skimmer is still great as usual, but my tank has all but crashed. A few snails have died in the rocks somewhere leaving it a nitrate/phosphate heaven. All the softies are doing great but I've lost all my SPS and most of my LPS

. I'm about to put in an order for a 100lbs of LR for my 50 so I've sorta given up on this one tank till then.

luke33 · 06/03/2007, 08:40 AM

That sucks Chev! I feel for ya, sorry man. On a side note though, its always fun to start over!

Rick2203 · 06/03/2007, 11:47 AM

Hope this helps! [/B][/QUOTE]

i just got my ps160 and ended up doing this mod its working great its sucking in tons of air, i just ordered some enkamat from ebay hopefully the stock pump will work good enough so i wont have to buy a new pump. this thread is a life saver, i have the MH setup from odyssea also and most of their stuff works great with a few mods.

luke33 · 06/03/2007, 06:08 PM

I switched the genx2400 out with the stock pump. I put two layers of p4 on it and made a new venturi with a 1/4" venturi hose, the same as the above pic, but with the bulkhead that came with the pump. It looks identical as the 2400, so i'll leave it on there stock, these pump's are pretty good imo. I have two of there 1300gph pump's and this one, and i have zero complaints about performance or heat.

luke33 · 06/04/2007, 11:27 AM

Well, after a long look at this skimmer last night (ps160) there is one more mod you could do without drilling or risk of breaking it(lol) You could get a small piece of pvc and make a j out of it and insert it into the skimmer input from the pump and direct it down instead of straight in. You would have to glue it in there though. But this would give you a greater dwell time for better skimming. You would also have to replum your skimmer using pvc pieces, a bit of 1/2" pvc, a female and male adapter along with an elbo but it would work. I'll maybe explore this option, but it'll have to be put on hold for a bit as i'm headin to AZ for work tomorrow for a week....bummer! You may be able to get by with the stock fitting but you would have to push the j piece in a bit more as the input from the pump slides in this hole a bit. Good luck if anyone tries it! Oh yea, to make teh pvc bend like that you will need to take a heating pad and heat up the pvc, wear gloves and slowly bend it. Its very easy to do.

foshizzle · 06/04/2007, 08:54 PM

Modded the sk200 last light. shaved down the impeller blades and added 3 layers of mesh. The large size of the impeller chamber looks promising but think the air intake needs some work... Anyone gotten good performance out of these pumps?

Only way I could find to remove the center tube was through the bottom.

Replaced the stock tube with 3/4 pvc elbow.

Reused part of the center tube as a bubbleguard around the outlet. This doesn't do a great job. I think I need to replace it with a taller tube that completely encircles the outlet tube.

Sealed the bottom hole with a scrap of acrylic. used weldon 16 to glue all the parts.

foshizzle · 06/04/2007, 09:54 PM

The stock venturi is crap. drilled a hole through the pump intake and inserted ro tube. pulling twice the air, close to 5LM now

had to take the outlet tube completely off to prevent overflow.

There still seems to be too much turbulence in the reaction chamber. Thinking I may need to put a tube back in the reaction chamber to contain the output from the pump...

PLNelson · 06/04/2007, 10:36 PM

So, I got my PS75 a couple of days ago, and yesterday it started to pull skimmate. Nice and green. I did a single layer of enkmat on the impeller without cutting the impeller down any, and it now pulls a lot more air. I am now a believer in these things. Best bang for the buck anywhere!

b16drag · 06/05/2007, 02:20 AM

This has been a great thread for many of us who doesnt feel like spending a $1000 on a skimmer!

I've had the PS160 in my sump for about 3 days now. I'm starting a new tank and recently just added some sand from my old tank into it. Only mods done to the skimmer are as follow: 1) needlework mesh mod 2) using a "stiffer" rubber tubing for the air 3) used one of those lil venturi "T" thingymagiggy to adjust amount of air into the skimmer

Anyways it works well and had is literally skimmer all the junk in the water. I'm very pleased with this since it is literally 1/5 the cost of other skimmers. If the powerhead dies, I guess I'll get a new one, but its going strong for now!

chevegan · 06/07/2007, 11:53 PM

I know that I didn't create this skimmer. I wish I did, but you have no idea how happy it makes me to see this come this far. I almost feel like I'm the father of this craze lol. But bottom line, being cripple and poor it can get very very depressing, when month after month the tank of the month is something so out of reach it makes you wanna cry. I am SO happy to find something, and have so many turn to it that it's actually revitalizing old flames, AND making reefs a possibility for new comers without having to worry about replacement skimmers, or spending a ton off the bat. Thank you all so much for the support and joining along. You all rock

And a special Thank you to Luke who has by far spent the most time and effort helping everybody and answering EVERY question. So far as to buy a PS160 to be able to actually be able to help even more! You are an asset to this thread, and I thank you.

pbukow · 06/08/2007, 01:51 AM

Thank you for starting this thread, and opening me up to a world of DIY and modifications. before this thread i was afraid to try to make pr mod anything on my setup, but this thread has really inspired to modify and improve my setup for the better. So thank you

PLNelson · 06/08/2007, 10:50 AM

Cudos

luke33 · 06/09/2007, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by chevegan
I know that I didn't create this skimmer. I wish I did, but you have no idea how happy it makes me to see this come this far. I almost feel like I'm the father of this craze lol. But bottom line, being cripple and poor it can get very very depressing, when month after month the tank of the month is something so out of reach it makes you wanna cry. I am SO happy to find something, and have so many turn to it that it's actually revitalizing old flames, AND making reefs a possibility for new comers without having to worry about replacement skimmers, or spending a ton off the bat. Thank you all so much for the support and joining along. You all rock

And a special Thank you to Luke who has by far spent the most time and effort helping everybody and answering EVERY question. So far as to buy a PS160 to be able to actually be able to help even more! You are an asset to this thread, and I thank you.

Thanks for the compliments Chev. If it wasn't for your thread, who knows how many people would have been turned off by the hobby. Thats my whole point as in being here on RC. Like many things, this hobby is far out of reach for most people. I myself am lucky and don't worry about expenses(2 a point) but would never spend even 500 on something as a skimmer. I just hope some have learned from the thread and continue to stay in the hobby and learn how to succeed from a fraction of teh cost. I also hope to infom of how to have cheap lights and so on and so on.. I've been in phoenix for a week for work and haven't had any time to coresponde with some people so i apologise for taht. I look forward to modding the 160 as i can't wait to get home. I also have an air meter waiting for me and i can't wait to actually throw some #'s out there as well and show people how to make the vest $2 venturi they can get. We are truly the good guys of teh hobby and need to keep fighting the good fight and pressing our vendors for cheaper alternatives as well as prices.

Thanks to everyone who has succeeded in this process. There will be much more to come!

Luke

skimmy · 06/09/2007, 09:54 AM

i'll be the first person to admit that im addicted to high-tech imported german gear, but it is awesome to see good results from what would othwerwise be p.o.s. skimmers.

i wouldnt hesitate to buy either the ps or via aqua skimmers to mod and use as cheap alternatives.

the thing that bugs me is that it's all just plastic and there's no good excuse why you shouldnt be able to get something that actually works for a reasonable price...
especially when they dont spend any money on r&d, they just borrow the technology.

dhnguyen · 06/09/2007, 10:01 AM

At the same token. Because it is just plastic and it shouldn't cost your first born either. I mean have you guys seen the prices of the ASM skimmers recently?

luke33 · 06/09/2007, 10:58 AM

Yea, ASM's are way overpriced IMO. I'll never pay the 500-2k for some plastic. Especially when you can get a skimmer for under 120 that will easily handle my 125g. But i guess if you have alot of cash, good for you. And as long as people keep paying the big bux for the skimmers. There price will stay high, even if there is the exact KO of the skimmer for 10x cheaper.

GovtCheese · 06/09/2007, 01:52 PM

this thread is great Chevegan

GovtCheese · 06/09/2007, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by luke33
Thats the prob i see with aquatraders, there prices are great but they charge you tons for shipping. I bought a 39.99 pump from tehm and the shipping was 17 bux.....the ps160 shipping is around 30 bux from what i've heard. Other than that there prices are good.

as it turns out... I happen to live 5 minutes away from aquatraders!
maybe I can help some of you out with aquiring what you need... possibly cutting the shipping down?

[sorry, I tuned in to this thread so late]

GovtCheese · 06/09/2007, 01:59 PM

All these years, I never new that Aquatraders were selling products that was creating such a stir in the reefer community

06/02/2007, 02:49 PM	#130
pbukow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 453	Luke, what did u do to seal the barb fitting to the bulkhead with? __________________ What do you mean I have to change the water? PBITAWA Every Day

06/02/2007, 11:48 PM	#132
chevegan Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Colorado springs, co Posts: 1,614	Luke that looks amazing. As far as the recirc mod it was done twice before on this forum. I believe pages 3-6ish? WAYYY back before it split. There are pics of it and everything. One of the guys cracked his first one and just bought another. Even with doing that it came out way cheaper than buying one new. My skimmer is still great as usual, but my tank has all but crashed. A few snails have died in the rocks somewhere leaving it a nitrate/phosphate heaven. All the softies are doing great but I've lost all my SPS and most of my LPS . I'm about to put in an order for a 100lbs of LR for my 50 so I've sorta given up on this one tank till then. __________________ Everything is copasetic. Reefing on a budget Current Tank Info: Do it right the first time, save up, spend where it counts OR end up another craigslist ad of money lost.--------Why is this hobby so damn expensive??!-------

06/04/2007, 08:54 PM	#137
foshizzle Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 483	sk200 mods Modded the sk200 last light. shaved down the impeller blades and added 3 layers of mesh. The large size of the impeller chamber looks promising but think the air intake needs some work... Anyone gotten good performance out of these pumps? Only way I could find to remove the center tube was through the bottom. Replaced the stock tube with 3/4 pvc elbow. Reused part of the center tube as a bubbleguard around the outlet. This doesn't do a great job. I think I need to replace it with a taller tube that completely encircles the outlet tube. Sealed the bottom hole with a scrap of acrylic. used weldon 16 to glue all the parts.

06/07/2007, 11:53 PM	#141
chevegan Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Colorado springs, co Posts: 1,614	I know that I didn't create this skimmer. I wish I did, but you have no idea how happy it makes me to see this come this far. I almost feel like I'm the father of this craze lol. But bottom line, being cripple and poor it can get very very depressing, when month after month the tank of the month is something so out of reach it makes you wanna cry. I am SO happy to find something, and have so many turn to it that it's actually revitalizing old flames, AND making reefs a possibility for new comers without having to worry about replacement skimmers, or spending a ton off the bat. Thank you all so much for the support and joining along. You all rock And a special Thank you to Luke who has by far spent the most time and effort helping everybody and answering EVERY question. So far as to buy a PS160 to be able to actually be able to help even more! You are an asset to this thread, and I thank you. __________________ Everything is copasetic. Reefing on a budget Current Tank Info: Do it right the first time, save up, spend where it counts OR end up another craigslist ad of money lost.--------Why is this hobby so damn expensive??!------- Last edited by chevegan; 06/08/2007 at 12:03 AM.

06/08/2007, 01:51 AM	#142
pbukow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 453	Thank you for starting this thread, and opening me up to a world of DIY and modifications. before this thread i was afraid to try to make pr mod anything on my setup, but this thread has really inspired to modify and improve my setup for the better. So thank you __________________ What do you mean I have to change the water? PBITAWA Every Day

06/02/2007, 08:09 AM	#126
ziac Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: champaign illinois Posts: 339	thanks for the pic of your venturi what size line are you useing to draw the air in ?

06/02/2007, 08:31 AM	#127
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	The line is 5/8" OD and 1/2" ID

06/02/2007, 09:50 AM	#128
ziac Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: champaign illinois Posts: 339	ok thanks I thought that was the barb adpter size could you please tell me what size that is also

06/02/2007, 10:58 AM	#129
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	It was 1/4" on the side i put inside the bulkhead and 1/2" od, for the tube side.

06/02/2007, 05:07 PM	#131
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	Nada, you don't need to seal it, just make it a tight fit. If its to your liking and working well, then you can use cauk to seal it, but i never do.

06/03/2007, 08:40 AM	#133
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	That sucks Chev! I feel for ya, sorry man. On a side note though, its always fun to start over!

06/03/2007, 11:47 AM	#134
Rick2203 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North East PA Posts: 472	Hope this helps! [/B][/QUOTE] i just got my ps160 and ended up doing this mod its working great its sucking in tons of air, i just ordered some enkamat from ebay hopefully the stock pump will work good enough so i wont have to buy a new pump. this thread is a life saver, i have the MH setup from odyssea also and most of their stuff works great with a few mods.

06/03/2007, 06:08 PM	#135
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	I switched the genx2400 out with the stock pump. I put two layers of p4 on it and made a new venturi with a 1/4" venturi hose, the same as the above pic, but with the bulkhead that came with the pump. It looks identical as the 2400, so i'll leave it on there stock, these pump's are pretty good imo. I have two of there 1300gph pump's and this one, and i have zero complaints about performance or heat.

06/04/2007, 11:27 AM	#136
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	Well, after a long look at this skimmer last night (ps160) there is one more mod you could do without drilling or risk of breaking it(lol) You could get a small piece of pvc and make a j out of it and insert it into the skimmer input from the pump and direct it down instead of straight in. You would have to glue it in there though. But this would give you a greater dwell time for better skimming. You would also have to replum your skimmer using pvc pieces, a bit of 1/2" pvc, a female and male adapter along with an elbo but it would work. I'll maybe explore this option, but it'll have to be put on hold for a bit as i'm headin to AZ for work tomorrow for a week....bummer! You may be able to get by with the stock fitting but you would have to push the j piece in a bit more as the input from the pump slides in this hole a bit. Good luck if anyone tries it! Oh yea, to make teh pvc bend like that you will need to take a heating pad and heat up the pvc, wear gloves and slowly bend it. Its very easy to do.

06/04/2007, 09:54 PM	#138
foshizzle Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 483	The stock venturi is crap. drilled a hole through the pump intake and inserted ro tube. pulling twice the air, close to 5LM now had to take the outlet tube completely off to prevent overflow. There still seems to be too much turbulence in the reaction chamber. Thinking I may need to put a tube back in the reaction chamber to contain the output from the pump...

06/04/2007, 10:36 PM	#139
PLNelson White Trash Astronaut Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bemidji, MN Posts: 115	So, I got my PS75 a couple of days ago, and yesterday it started to pull skimmate. Nice and green. I did a single layer of enkmat on the impeller without cutting the impeller down any, and it now pulls a lot more air. I am now a believer in these things. Best bang for the buck anywhere!

06/05/2007, 02:20 AM	#140
b16drag Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: California Posts: 903	This has been a great thread for many of us who doesnt feel like spending a $1000 on a skimmer! I've had the PS160 in my sump for about 3 days now. I'm starting a new tank and recently just added some sand from my old tank into it. Only mods done to the skimmer are as follow: 1) needlework mesh mod 2) using a "stiffer" rubber tubing for the air 3) used one of those lil venturi "T" thingymagiggy to adjust amount of air into the skimmer Anyways it works well and had is literally skimmer all the junk in the water. I'm very pleased with this since it is literally 1/5 the cost of other skimmers. If the powerhead dies, I guess I'll get a new one, but its going strong for now!

06/08/2007, 10:50 AM	#143
PLNelson White Trash Astronaut Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bemidji, MN Posts: 115	Cudos

06/09/2007, 09:54 AM	#145
skimmy T3am Zissou Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Galactic Sector ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha Posts: 1,123	i'll be the first person to admit that im addicted to high-tech imported german gear, but it is awesome to see good results from what would othwerwise be p.o.s. skimmers. i wouldnt hesitate to buy either the ps or via aqua skimmers to mod and use as cheap alternatives. the thing that bugs me is that it's all just plastic and there's no good excuse why you shouldnt be able to get something that actually works for a reasonable price... especially when they dont spend any money on r&d, they just borrow the technology.

06/09/2007, 10:01 AM	#146
dhnguyen Moved On Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kingston, WA Posts: 4,751	At the same token. Because it is just plastic and it shouldn't cost your first born either. I mean have you guys seen the prices of the ASM skimmers recently?

06/09/2007, 10:58 AM	#147
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	Yea, ASM's are way overpriced IMO. I'll never pay the 500-2k for some plastic. Especially when you can get a skimmer for under 120 that will easily handle my 125g. But i guess if you have alot of cash, good for you. And as long as people keep paying the big bux for the skimmers. There price will stay high, even if there is the exact KO of the skimmer for 10x cheaper.

06/09/2007, 01:52 PM	#148
GovtCheese Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: San Francisco Posts: 954	this thread is great Chevegan __________________ "Its in the past... It doesn't matter" Current Tank Info: 240ga FOWLR, CS12-2 Euro-reef skimmer, and 150 ga sump.

06/09/2007, 01:59 PM	#150
GovtCheese Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: San Francisco Posts: 954	All these years, I never new that Aquatraders were selling products that was creating such a stir in the reefer community __________________ "Its in the past... It doesn't matter" Current Tank Info: 240ga FOWLR, CS12-2 Euro-reef skimmer, and 150 ga sump. Last edited by GovtCheese; 06/09/2007 at 02:04 PM.