Adding a drain off to your skimmer cup.

[atoll]

Many skimmers these day have a drain off the cup so you can drain the skimmate off without having to remove the cup. Many skimmers still do not incorporate this simple and handy feature even some of the most expensive skimmers don't include one. The first few Deltec SC1350 had a drain off cock but with later models they omitted it even new SC 1351 does not have a drain off cock fitted. My BM Curve 5 had this feature and I missed it when I bought my Deltec SC 1350.

Something had to be done and here is how I added a drain off cock with tap to my skimmer cup.

You will need the following items.

One John Guest 1/4" Push Fit Stem Elbow.
One John Guest 1/4" Push Fit Tap Connector.
Hard plastic cement.
Short length (approx 2") of stiff 1/4" RO tube.Short
Length of flexible tube. (I had some spare 4mm internal diameter tube lying about so I unused that).
A 6mm bit. I used a 6mm glass bit.
A drill.
Pencil.

The following photographs tell you more than a thousand words can say and I think you will find them quite self-explanatory but here's how anyway.Mark the side of the cup while on the skimmer where you want the drain off to go then transfer the mark to the underside of the skimmer cup. You then simply drill and cement in place the stem elbow. Add one short length of stiff RO tube to the stem elbow pushing it firmly home. Add the tap then another short length of stiff RO tube. Add the flexible hose to the RO tube from the tap and your done.You can fit the tap anywhere along the length of tubing but I think it's best close to the skimmer cup but fit yours where it's most convenient for your particular set up.

[albertthiel]

 

Many skimmers these day have a drain off the cup so you can drain the skimmate off without having to remove the cup. Many skimmers still do not incorporate this simple and handy feature even some of the most expensive skimmers don't include one. The first few Deltec SC1350 had a drain off cock but with later models they omitted it even new SC 1351 does not have a drain off cock fitted. My BM Curve 5 had this feature and I missed it when I bought my Deltec SC 1350.

Something had to be done and here is how I added a drain off cock with tap to my skimmer cup.

You will need the following items.

One John Guest 1/4" Push Fit Stem Elbow.

One John Guest 1/4" Push Fit Tap Connector.

Hard plastic cement.

Short length (approx 2") of stiff 1/4" RO tube.Short

Length of flexible tube. (I had some spare 4mm internal diameter tube lying about so I unused that).

A 6mm bit. I used a 6mm glass bit.

A drill.

Pencil.

The following photographs tell you more than a thousand words can say and I think you will find them quite self-explanatory but here's how anyway.Mark the side of the cup while on the skimmer where you want the drain off to go then transfer the mark to the underside of the skimmer cup. You then simply drill and cement in place the stem elbow. Add one short length of stiff RO tube to the stem elbow pushing it firmly home. Add the tap then another short length of stiff RO tube. Add the flexible hose to the RO tube from the tap and your done.You can fit the tap anywhere along the length of tubing but I think it's best close to the skimmer cup but fit yours where it's most convenient for your particular set up.

 

 

Nicely done Les

 

Excellent mod

 

Albert

[Mojado]

You want to clean the cup AND the cone going to the cup to keep the skimmer efficient. Plus, just draining the cup and not cleaning it is nasty.

[atoll]

You want to clean the cup AND the cone going to the cup to keep the skimmer efficient. Plus, just draining the cup and not cleaning it is nasty.

No, I don't "want" to do that at all. I am aware of the fact to keep your skimmer running at maximum efficiency you should clean the inner neck of the skimmer even daily if not every few days however not everybody is able to do that nor wish to. Many tops end as well as budget skimmers incorporate a drain off for a purpose I would suggest. In the perfect world we would clean our skimmer cup necks daily do multiple water tests every few days etc etc etc. The reality is often different and if you go away the drain tube can be lead into a larger vessel than the cup should you wish. As for it being "nasty" not to clean the skimmer cup even weekly I can think of many more nastier things. However like anything you are welcome to your opinion.

[HarryPotter]

Only complaint is that if one does this they will not be able to see the consistency or quantity of Skimate produced. To me that is an indication of the cleanliness of the aquarium, which I rely on between testing.

 

Very slick mod fhough! I have an extra skimmer cup and am considering attempting this

[atoll]

Only complaint is that if one does this they will not be able to see the consistency or quantity of Skimate produced. To me that is an indication of the cleanliness of the aquarium, which I rely on between testing.

 

Very slick mod fhough! I have an extra skimmer cup and am considering attempting this

Well IME the skimmate produced can vary even within the same day so if you clean it twice a week it's hardly a true indication of what it's taking out going by the colour in the cup. However I understand where you are coming from.