Pico-Remora - Injector pic added 8/25

[Ram_Puppy]

Well, some of you know that I have decided my .9 gallon nano cube just doesn't cut it, so I am getting some 8x8 inch glass and building a 2.5 gallon cube for my desk. (the biggest I feel I can get away with on my desk at work.)

The .9 gallon has been an algae factory since I took the caulerpa out, the red bubble algae doesn't soak up nutrients as fast. So I decided the new tank needs a skimmer.

Enter the Pico-Remora the tiniest skimmer around. I complete testing of the injection assembly today, it is a micro-jet power head (MC450) running all out, on 1/2 inch pvc (internal diameter) (this is the stuff made for hot water, it is smaller than normal 1/2 inch pvc)

I made 3 endcaps, one with one hole pointing straight down, one with two holes offset and opposing one another, and one with 3 holes pointing away from each other. First thing I noticed was 2 holes released to much pressure, so I went back to one, didn't even bother with three.

Initial tests were done in fresh RO water, and I was pretty impressed. On a whim I stuck the pump and injector in the one gallon cube and ran it for a few minutes, the micro bubbles were crazy impressive.

I will try an post pictures of the injector assembly tomorrow, unfortunately, I am tapped out on my allowance for this month, so I won't be putting the skimmer together until early next month. (My wife needs to up my allowance! )

pictures soon!

[Bucky-Katt]

I got to see the very early stages of this. Looks to be a pretty neat little skimmer. I'll be needing one as well. Thank You. :lol2:

Brian

[MikeDeL]

I need to keep a close eye on this thread, before I run out a buy a bakpak. Keep us posted, with LOTS of detailed pictures if you can. Cant wait to see how it turns out.


Mike

[Ram_Puppy]

I allready have about twenty pictures of the injector assembly, I will try to get them on my website tonight, and post links.

This skimmer is being scaled to fit a 2.5 gallon tank, putting a backpack on a tank that size would scare me!

[MikeDeL]

Well I have a nano also. Its a 10g tank and a 10g sump will be added soon. BakPak seems to be the smallest thing I can find thats worth anything.


Mike

[Ram_Puppy]

yeah, this could be easily scaled up to work on a 10 gallon. Something to keep an eye on, AquaC is planning to come out with a 'nano' remora suitable for 10 gallon tanks.

Oh, and apparently Aqua C holds a patent on spray injection skimmers, so these can not be sold, I will document my sloppy acrylic work as best I can so that it is easily repeatable however... not illegal to build your own, just to sell it. I am ripping off the remora design as best I can.

[Ram_Puppy]

Whew... what a day... sorry I didn't get pictures up last night.

Here is a pic I finally got right-sized and uploaded.


remember, this is just the injector, I went with the first cap on the left, one hole.

[MikeDeL]

Hows this skimmer coming along. Im excited to see how it turns out.


Mike

[GaryP]

RamPuppy,

I think you mean eductor, not injector. The thing that sucks in air is a vacuum eductor. An injector does exactly the opposite.
Not that it matters, but it keeps old guys like me from getting confused. Anyway, it looks good so far.

Gary

[Ram_Puppy]

lol.. thanks Gary.

I haven't had the finances to work on it this week. I just started my new position, it was supposed to start last week, so instead of taking home 57 hours of pay, I only took home 14. eek. next wee will be a better week and I will head over to the plastic shop and get the acrylic and weldon. from there, it should go quickly.

On a sad note, my nano is no more. I had a friend taking care of it at my desk while I was out last week (i didn't switch companies, I now hold 2 positions within the same organization, so I have 2 desks) anyhow, because I am only in the other desk 2 nights a week the hot bunked someone with me, and I think that person sloshed some water out of the cube. With a good heart, they replaced it completely with top off water. You know the rest, salinity spiked, 2 sexy shrimp dead, 1 dwarf zebra crab dead, 1 blue leg dead, rhodactus dead, 1 purple shroom dead, 1 lr with zoos on it, in triage tank hopefully to recover (polyps were starting to extend after 12 hours). It was a sad day yesterday.

sooo... I am going to be doing the new 8x8" cube, which works out to 2.5 gallons or so... the skimmer will go on that, but for now, the imediacy to get it done is over. nothing left to skim.