DIY Needle Wheel Pump

[Chompers]

I've been busy (translation: screwing around) with the idea of a needle wheel pump for my new(ish) tank's skimmer. (Also DIY -thread to follow.) Anyway, I ran across the concept of modifying an existing pump with a bio-ball to create a needle wheel pump. I did this mod to my Seaclone skimmer and it actually made it a decent skimmer. I also saw other threads where people had access to a CNC router and made new volutes for their pumps. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone with cool toys like that. But the idea stuck in my head and the gears started turning. When the smoke cleared, I realized that I could do it all with hole saws and the band saw.
Without further adieu, my pump...

Btw, pumps are like ogres. They have layers.

 

[Chompers]

Front view...


By the way, this uses a Danner Supreme MD5 as the power plant.

 

[Chompers]

I started by cutting disks from a scrap (free) piece of acrylic.


...and then I cut the centers out using a smaller hole saw.

 

[Chompers]

The mounting plate was different from the rest, in that its center had a smaller hole. The screw holes were larger due to the face of the pump motor.

 

[Chompers]

All of the rings were then glued together using Weld-on 16.

 

[Chompers]

The impeller was modified by first cutting off the blades and then gluing on the modified Bio-Ball.
The Bio-Ball impeller starts with the Bio-Ball and cutting off the pins from one side. Then you shorten the remainder of the pins so they are the same length. All cutting must be symetrical to keep the impeller in balance.

 

[Chompers]

Here is the test fit of the impeller.

 

[Chompers]

The face plate of the volute was then modified with the bearing brace and the intake port.

 

[Chompers]

I then drilled and tapped the output. I also added a reverse pitot tube for the air intake. The pitot tube was made by heating and bending a length of rigid air line tube.

 

[Chompers]

And here's the final test fit of the parts before installing them on the pump motor.


And once again, the finished pump.

 

[Chompers]

And what would a DIY thread be without a youtube video?
Enjoy...
DIY Needle Wheel Pump - YouTube
It chops the bubbles so small that I can tell that they are going to be a problem.

 

[MitchReef]

Dude man...that is sweet.....