Skimmer drain how to

[Chicken_Eye]

I am sure this has been done many times but I figured I would share my thoughts.

My ASM G3 skimmer is a great skimmer but no drain in the cup, so I broke out the tools and made one. Here is a picture of everything I used to make my own drain. The only thing not pictured is my wifes hairdryer

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v723/quads4_life/100gal%20reef/DSC02298.jpg




1st: I decided where I wanted my drain and marked it

2nd: I heated up the cup with the hair dryer to make it less brittle.

3rd: I used a 1/2" wood drill bit to drill the hole (SLOWLY) once I got the center of the drill bit all the way through the cup I fliped it to the inside to drill a little bit of it to just score the acrylic. I fliped the cup back over and finished drilling out the hole.

4th : I took some sandpaper and just roughed up around the hole I just drilled

5th: I placed some plumbers goop around the hole on the inside of the cup. and put goop on the threads of the 3X8" X 1/4" nylon hose barb fitting (I got the 90 you can use a straight or your choice)

6th: I then screwed the fitting into the cup positioned where I wanted it and added some more goop around the inside and on the outside of the cup

Final product

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v723/quads4_life/100gal%20reef/DSC02299.jpg

Well I hope this helps somebody if not it worked for me.

[LoneStar]

Looks good!

[jc]

Does this mod just increase the amount of skimmate you can collect before you have to clean it out? What about the smell? I have a g2 and if I let it go for more than a few days it starts to smell. Nicely done by the way.

[Chicken_Eye]

all it does is drain the skimmate into a 1 gal jug so you dont have to turn off your pump and pull the cup off to drain your skimmate

[safeuerwehr]

is that the new "Borden" skimmer you have pictured there?

[Chicken_Eye]

is that the new "Borden" skimmer you have pictured there?

Nope its the improved sweetened Red Diamond T :D

[caferacermike]

I've always wondered about one thing using a catch cup, what about cleaning the neck? Does not the foam tower get gunky thereby decreasing the efficiency and performance of the skimmer?

[Chicken_Eye]

I've always wondered about one thing using a catch cup, what about cleaning the neck? Does not the foam tower get gunky thereby decreasing the efficiency and performance of the skimmer?

Yes you will still have to clean it out but you just wont have to turn your pump off once a week or every couple of days to just emptie the cup.