DIY Remora/Urchin clone--can it be done?

[minibowmatt]

I think I want to clone my Urchin skimmer. I have started on the body, very easy acrylic fabrication. My concern is about their nozzle. From what I can tell, there is no real spray nozzle, it looks like just a hole in a PVC plug fitting.
I have found these injectors: http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/produc ... %5Fid=9311
Do you think this injector is worth trying, or should I just try a thru-hole?
Im not sure.. ???

 

[Anonymous]

Does not know these injector, but it looks as if it take a lot of PSI to drive it. Go with thru-hole. I know you have the time and resource to do experiments.

Assignment: use a small nylon/PVC 1/8 diameter threaded plugs, and drill hole on them so that you can play around with different hole characteristics and its effect on skimmer efficiency. Report in two week with a parametric equations that can be use to calculate skimmer efficiency given the hole size, shape, and hole arrangement.

 

[minibowmatt]

I thought the PSI might be too high to run that spray nozzle. I do not do equations! I will build countless prototypes till I get one that works. I have built a smaller version already today, but I dont know how to make the elbow on the inside so I can switch out the nozzle...? The inside of the skimmer only measures 3" so I cant fit my hand in to remove/install a nozzle.

Fortunatly I do have the time, materials, and tools to expiriment with this stuff. I appreciate all the info i get from you, 7E, and everyone else. You guys have been reefling longer than I so I know I can get good ideas/criticism about all my DIY projects from you.

 

[Anonymous]

Making the elbow so you can switch out the nozzle is easy

just drill the hole in the piece the elbow goes into really large. Then everything will sort of hang instead of being securely fastened, but you are just doing tests anyway, right?

Why rip them off though, with all the time and money you are going to spend fiddling around with it you could probably buy one new....

 

[trido]

I agree with all above. I would'nt spend my money on the nozzles. Air acts alot differently than water in an injector. Im sure those holes are way too small for any aquarium application w'ed ever need. Unless you want to pressure wash your tank with your garden hose at 40 PSI. :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

>...Why rip them off though, with all the time and money you are going to spend fiddling around with it you could probably buy one new....

AquaC is a good company, and I typically frawn upon when peopole try to copycat commerical business. However, I feel Matt is trying to learn something here, not try to save a buck or two (I am sure he knows he is not going to save any). Hey, maybe he can find out how to mod the Remora and make it more efficient!?! (doubt that, since the AquaC skimmers are much better engineered than the seaclone or to a slight extent, the Bakpak.)

 

[minibowmatt]

Thanx all. I do not want to "rip off" AquaC, as a matter of fact, I have already purchased an Urchin. I just want to learn acrylic fabrication, and these projects I have been doing are my teaching aids. There are very few ideas out there that are truely NEW ideas. Most everything is stolen/adapted from something else. I am not trying to patent or sell the skimmer, just reproduce it because I can.

AS for the jet nozzle, I am using PVC with a hole drilled in it. I am trying to make this as removable as possible.
BTW, I am attaching the fittings to the acrylic with Elmers Ultimate glue-- polyurethane base. (gorilla glue) Once it is dry it should still be safe for the SW tank right?

 

[RandyStacyE]

Can you post a couple pics of the original Urchin nozzle?

 

[minibowmatt]

It isnt possible to get a good look, let alone a picture of the urchin's nozzle. Sorry. I am waiting to pick up my weldon 16 today, and I will put this skimmer together this week, and post pics/results.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, you can't get a pic of it without destroying it in the process.

For some reason I think plastic pipe plug with a V cut into it across the face of it and then a hole drilled in the center of the V would be a good nozzle.

Probably because that is what the nozzle I have on my pressure washer at work looks like

 

[minibowmatt]

I noticed a lot of nozzles have that V cut in it. Why do you suppose that is? Is the inside of the hole V'd out too?

 

[Anonymous]

Not on the one I have, I bought it for our High volume, low pressure power washer we use to wash the bottoms of boats at work. It was a brass hex pipe plug with a V cut in it and a hole drilled in the middle. The inside was nothing special at all.

We payed something like 20 bucks for it, and I could make it myself now that I know what it looks like.

 

[Anonymous]

Oh, and the reason is it affects the spray pattern.

The V turns what would be a round spray pattern into a long flat spray pattern.....

 

[minibowmatt]

in your opinion, is that spray pattern going to be necessary in the Urchin clone? the original doesnt use it from what I can see....

 

[Anonymous]

Aren't you going to experiment with a hole bunch of holes?

I don't think its necessary, but then I don't get paid to design nozzles for a living.

I would think you would want the largest hole in the nozzel that you can have to maximize flow without compromizing on the number of bubbles it creates.

it will be interesting to see how big of a hole you end up with.

 

[minibowmatt]

well... I underestimated the size of the skimmer box. I made mine too small and it wouldnt hold the collection cup. So I spliced on more acrylic. good thing Weldon creates a cohesive bond!
I am not at all concerned as to what this skimmer looks like, just its performance. It will now be an in sump skimmer!

I will post pics soon!

 

[Anonymous]

:lol:


So so so familiar....