HOWTO: increase surface skimmer (OFA) throughput

Gilles

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Aug 6, 2008
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Since when i got my new filter (Fluval FX6) i noticed that my surface skimmer had trouble keeping up. So i needed to increase the throughput of my so called "Oberflächenabsauger" which is German for 'surface extractor'. Without to much of a introduction here are the steps i've done, it took me about 10 minutes if you have the parts.

First the old situation and the idea next to it.
2014-01-19%252011.26.21.jpg


Disassembly:
2014-01-19%252011.36.39.jpg


Old diameter (left) approx. 13mm and the new one, on the right (20mm)
2014-01-19%252011.38.08.jpg


Sawn it through, i still had a spare OFA so if i killed it, no harm done.
2014-01-19%252011.39.32.jpg


Newly glued together it looks like this; the black piping is actually 26mm so you have to sand it a bit to make it fit in a 1" fitting.
2014-01-19%252011.53.56.jpg


Added a knee so the piping of 20mm would fit.
2014-01-19%252011.57.53.jpg


Last step is to paint the silver PVC black using black epoxy; since i could not find any suitable black spraypaint which is safe for shrimp (in the Netherlands). I will update you once that is done.
 

Gilles

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Nope, this 'overflow' floats, so it is only submerged for 1mm (the teeth) works like a charm; also adjusts to dropping water levels. However i still would like to use the CPR overflow box one day; especially now i am getting my GHL Mitras Lightbars which i won. But i think the CPR makes a lot of noise, or is it whisper silent?