DIY Skimate locker

[mehaffydr]

Let me start by saying I did look into different products and did like what I found but I just couldn't bring myself to spend $200 or more for a fish poop container :(
Sometimes I leave town for a week at a time and needed something to hold enough for this. Also I was using a Mason jar that was just open on top and the smell was not that pleasant.
I started by looking for a suitable container I wanted something that was a good size and closed sealed top to control smell.
What I found was a nice clear plastic container at the local Target store.

This set me back $10.00 so far so good.
I then visited the local hardware store and purchased the needed PVC components and barbed fittings.

That was another $10.00 spending spree.
I then took a hole saw and drilled 2 holes in the lid these I already had so that was convenient because they are fairly pricey. I drilled for the PVC vent and the Barbed inlet.

I glued a 6" long piece of 3" PVC into a male adapter. I inserted a OVC plastic drain into the 3" pvc before gluing it into the male adapter.

This will be support for filter floss and carbon which will keep the smell under control

I then glued a Female threaded adapter from the top and a coupling from the bottom to secure the vent section to the lid. I used the female threaded adapter so that I could easily remove and install the carbon chamber. I also ran a bead of Weld On 16 around this fitting to better secure to the lid and have a good tight seal. I also drilled and installed a 1/2" barbed fitting using a threaded barbed fitting and female coupling from the bottom also gluing this with the WELDON 16 to be sure and have a strong sealed connection.

I also installed a 1/2" barbed connector to the bottom of my skimmer cup. I'm using a MRC-2R skimmer.

Sorry if this is kind of long winded this is my first post in the DIY forum and I want to give plenty of detail.

Continued on next post

 

[mehaffydr]

Below is the barbed fitting in my skimmer.

and now for the completed project. I did not have carbon or either a media bag or filter floss to totally complete thsi project so I will do that tomorrow but it is connected and working just needs smell control.

I'll see how this works out but I think it will be a good inexpensive way to collect skimate and keep the smell under control.

 

[sundog101]

Cool! What skimmer do you have?

Also I use that same container for used filter socks. From what I can tell, the smell doesn’t “leak”to bad; it seals pretty good.

 

[mehaffydr]

Cool! What skimmer do you have?

Also I use that same container for used filter socks. From what I can tell, the smell doesn’t “leak”to bad; it seals pretty good.

I have a My Reef Creations MRC-2R with a 30" extension tube and a Blue Line 70HD pump

 

[mehaffydr]

sorry double post

 

[mehaffydr]

This is the skimmer

 

[Hk45]

Great idea.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

That's a great idea! Nice job!

 

[mehaffydr]

Last night I bought these carbon sponges and filled the vent tube to control smell if they work they will be way more convenient then carbon pellets.

 

[Forsaken77]

One very important thing that the Reef Octopus Waste Collector has (as an example), is the dual float switches to kill power to your skimmer in case of overflow or when the container gets full.

I've noticed that when you have a large receptacle that you don't check the skimmate level as often.

I think it's a good design, but the other waste collectors are more than just a bottle. Like I said, they have dual redundant float switches, you skimmer plugs into the power box for the waste collector so it has the ability to power off the skimmer when the collector is full, and it also has a built-in fuse to make sure the unit, and your skimmer, don't get fried during a power surge. Then, as you're trying to incorporate as well, a carbon receptacle to absorb odors, which works 100%.

You can make a storage container very easily. Just use any larger plastic container, run your skimmer line in and silicone it, then just use a small strainer to sit on top for the carbon.

Making it safe would be to install a float and wire it to a box to shut off the skimmer when tripped, which RO sells separately btw.

I get the diy aspect, but when it comes to a potential situation of flooding the nastiest water, that's $175 well spent on the professionally designed unit. But I've seen people use gallon milk containers. As long as you check it often, you're fine.

 

[mehaffydr]

One very important thing that the Reef Octopus Waste Collector has (as an example), is the dual float switches to kill power to your skimmer in case of overflow or when the container gets full.

I've noticed that when you have a large receptacle that you don't check the skimmate level as often.

I think it's a good design, but the other waste collectors are more than just a bottle. Like I said, they have dual redundant float switches, you skimmer plugs into the power box for the waste collector so it has the ability to power off the skimmer when the collector is full, and it also has a built-in fuse to make sure the unit, and your skimmer, don't get fried during a power surge. Then, as you're trying to incorporate as well, a carbon receptacle to absorb odors, which works

I am considering a shut off switch which I can easily add with either a optical Sensor swith or float switch.
Still not sure if I’ll add that.
I do have slimmer plugged in to surge protector and the reason I used the clear container is so that I can monitor skimmate level. It will take a month to fill it up so overall I think I’m fairly safe
Thanks for the reply and your concerns

 

[hybridazn]

Nice! I actually converted an old Geo's Reef kalk reactor into a skimmate locker. I also put in a float valve for shut off.

 

[mehaffydr]

I have been considering a float valve or optical sensor switch but not sure if needed. This thing is large and I may only need to empty once a month. But just for added safety I may add.
I used the clear container so that I really never have to check it just a quick glance when at the tank and I will know as it’s getting full

 

[ScubaShane]

Nice! I use a viniger bottle. Its to the left of the sump in the back. My skimmer has a drain at the bottom of the collection cup. I put a hole in the cap just big enough for the drain tube to fit in and drilled a small hole in the handle of the bottle for ventilation when the pressure builds up as it fills. I clean it every two weeks. It gets just about half full.

 

[BryanD]

2 liter pop bottle, make hole in top just big enough for tube coming out of skimmer, been using one for the last 14 years. If it gets yucky, throw it out/recycle and drink-up a new one. Have never smelled anything.

 

[SteadyC]

I have been considering a float valve or optical sensor switch but not sure if needed. This thing is large and I may only need to empty once a month. But just for added safety I may add.
I used the clear container so that I really never have to check it just a quick glance when at the tank and I will know as it’s getting full

I have a 5 gallon container mine drains into, so pretty large too. One idea behind the float valve to shut off the protein skimmer isn’t for when everything’s fine, it’s for when something happens and your protein skimmer freaks out and over flows constantly, stopping a flood/overflow of your external container, and too much ATO water being dumped in to replace. I did DIY a float switch in my 5 gallon to a breakout box, that shuts off the protein skimmer, thus stopping the flood. Nice tight design, and nice protein skimmer. Maybe that beast doesn’t freak out. ;)

 

[Dburr1014]

My 5 gallon bucket as over flow twice when for some reason my skimmer went crazy. So I just put a hose at the top to drain back to the tank. I know it dumps poop back to the tank but it will be watered down poop and will stop the ATO at the same time. Quick and cheap fix until I get home.