DIY Skimmate Locker on the Cheap

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cosmith71
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DIY Skimmate Locker on the Cheap

Post by cosmith71 »

Water jug from Walmart, float switch I had lying around, and a bit of carbon pad for stink control.
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rimai
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Re: DIY Skimmate Locker on the Cheap

Post by rimai »

I have similar thing.
Can I give you an advice?
Get a longer stem float switch or try to mount it a little lower into the container or maybe place the container inside a tub.
Not that it will happen, but I had it happen once to me.
My skimmer was dialed wrong and I was getting a lot of water going to the container. By the time the float sensed, there was enough water in the cup and inside the line to overflow the container.
I woke up 3 in the morning with my rope leak detector beeping :)
Roberto.
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cosmith71
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Re: DIY Skimmate Locker on the Cheap

Post by cosmith71 »

Good idea. I hadn't thought of that.

--Colin
jegillis
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Re: DIY Skimmate Locker on the Cheap

Post by jegillis »

I use that container for my top off water, do not expect the top lid to be watertight mine was not...
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cosmith71
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Re: DIY Skimmate Locker on the Cheap

Post by cosmith71 »

The big round one? I siliconed it on. :D
paperdesk
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Re: DIY Skimmate Locker on the Cheap

Post by paperdesk »

Nice! I've been working on building something like this, but I got stuck:

a. I want to use a two pin quick disconnect for the float switch. I have to look for this at a hardware or maybe auto parts store.
b. I also found my float switch stem to be too short. I haven't seen any with long stems, do they actually make such a thing?
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cosmith71
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Re: DIY Skimmate Locker on the Cheap

Post by cosmith71 »

Last edited by cosmith71 on Mon Apr 06, 2015 10:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
rimai
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Re: DIY Skimmate Locker on the Cheap

Post by rimai »

Yes, I have exactly same thing on my setup. Quick disconnect and long stem.
Roberto.
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cosmith71
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Re: DIY Skimmate Locker on the Cheap

Post by cosmith71 »

I used those round barrel type DC connectors for mine.

--Colin
paperdesk
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Re: DIY Skimmate Locker on the Cheap

Post by paperdesk »

Oh, right, I forgot about that idea, perfect!
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paperdesk
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Re: DIY Skimmate Locker on the Cheap

Post by paperdesk »

I still haven't found a long stem float switch, but I've had one of these for a while, and if I silicone it in well it should do the trick. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0076U ... UTF8&psc=1
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jsclownfish
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Re: DIY Skimmate Locker on the Cheap

Post by jsclownfish »

nice. I've been wanting to put a reservoir signal in my top off water jug forever, but couldn't figure out how to get a long enough float towards the bottom of the reservoir. The silicone seal on the bottom makes me a bit nervous, but a tight seal with a layer of silicone should hold.

-Jon
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jsclownfish
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Re: DIY Skimmate Locker on the Cheap

Post by jsclownfish »

nice. I've been wanting to put a reservoir signal in my top off water jug forever, but couldn't figure out how to get a long enough float towards the bottom of the reservoir. The silicone seal on the bottom makes me a bit nervous, but a tight seal with a layer of silicone should hold.

-Jon
modulok
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Re: DIY Skimmate Locker on the Cheap

Post by modulok »

I have the same container, but I am using it horizontally and punched holes through the white cap.
I will post a picture later.
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modulok
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Re: DIY Skimmate Locker on the Cheap

Post by modulok »

I haven't had to empty a full container yet, but I'm hoping to use the lever on the bottom.

Photo attached.

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Last edited by modulok on Sat Jun 18, 2016 6:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
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cosmith71
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Re: DIY Skimmate Locker on the Cheap

Post by cosmith71 »

Looks great!
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