$8 DIY Protein Skimmer

[Sefu]

Over the past, I've considered the thought of purchasing a protein skimmer for my 6g Nano cube, however I've read over many forums and it seems that none of the manufactured protein skimmers would fit in a 6g chamber properly without the hassle of modifying it...

So I decided to make my own!

~ This is a Co-Current Protein Skimmer ~

Items needed are:

Arrowhead Drinking Bottle (.5 Liter): $1.00
Air Pump: About $5.00
Wooden Airstone: About $2.00
Gravel Vacuum: Free, I already had this in my arsenal of fish tank cleaning tools...
Super Glue Gel: Free, see above
Powerhead Elbow Tube Extension: Free, see above
Suction Cups: Free, see above

[Sefu]

Step 1: with your Gravel Vacuum make a hole near the top.
(To make the hole just pick up a hammer around the house and a Screw Nail and clubber away !)

Step 2: Super glue a Elbow Tube over the hole, this will be used for the exit tube for the water.

Elbow Tubes should come with purchased Power Heads over the past, the one I used came with my Rio 90...

[Sefu]

Step 3: Remove the Cap off the gravel vacuum.

Step 4: Now its time to disembowel the Bottle! with scissors cut around the base until you have an even circle, the height should be around 2", if its any higher, it won't fit into the cube.

Step 5: Super Glue your newly made collection cup onto your Gravel Vacuum Cap.. Than stick the cap back onto the Tube of the Gravel Vacuum..

(The gray thing I glued onto the top of the cap is unnecessary, I later removed it !)

Step 6: Glue some suction cups opposite the side of the elbow tube to use as holders.

[Sefu]

Now it is the installation time !

Gather your newly made protein skimmer, and all materials needed to power it (air pump / air-stone )

Place the air stone inside your tube.

Than place the Protein Skimmer inside the Second Chamber
(it will not work in any other chamber)

Than plug in the air pump !

[Sefu]

Some things to keep in mind...

Water Level is crucial, you will need to use one of the many manufactured nano skimmers to keep your water level high in the main tank and low in the chambers..

High water level = wet skimmate
Low water level = dry skimmate

*I had the majority of the items, hence it only cost me $8, if you start from scratch with none of the items, I am going to guess its going to be around $20..

I have not proven yet for this method to work, I am still monitoring it, here is the shot of the incredibly wet skimmate this morning..

---------------------------

The first night of skimming - ( 12 hours)

[Sefu]

I will keep you guys posted, enjoy !

[Gryz]

Looks good...might I suggest using a gang valve to regulate the air flow.

[Sefu]

How does the gang valve work ? I personally don't think I am getting enough air through the stone...

[pilotrob]

awesome post - i was just thinking about trying something like that for my nanocube... if you can, keep us updated id love to know how it works out for you.

[Sefu]

Sure will :)

[Sefu]

I decided to re-work the tube, with an extra tube within the Vacuum Tube, see how it works out, I'll go into detail if it seems to improve...

Night #2 commences, hopefully I will get some skimmate!! 8)

[specsgirl]

Nice writeup! Keep us posted on how it works for you!

[Sefu]

Night #3 Commences, with a few new mods to see if it will skim any, hopefully tonights the night !

Wish me luck guys 8)

[Sefu]

Good news, its making progress, I got some discolored water when I came home from school today, it was yellowish

I am extremely delighted!

Here is the mod that made it work

I added a funnel type contraction in order to do the "push" affect as the foam rises...

I lowered the water exit tube about 1 inch, and added a valve that controls the water flow, however the valve was unnecessary.

(I will take a picture of the skimmate when the collection cup is full :biggrin: )

[Gryz]

Sweet!

[drwatson]

I think I will give a shot this coming weekend, I have nothing to loose with such an inexpensive investment. As I am new to saltwater (very familiar with fresh though) and have limited knowledge of protein skimmers let me ask you a few questions.

1) Allot of people complain about micro-bubbles. I believe they are bad for certain corals (if i am correct). As this skimmer would be compartmentalized in the second chamber, I don't see how these bubbles could get into the front tank.

2) Some people claim that too much wet skimate is no good and is a waist of water. This may be a stupid question, but could you add a very fine filter onto the top of collection cup as a strainer to separate waist from good water?

3) My friend told me the problem with air stone driven skimmers is that they get clogged, but air stones are a dime a dozen and replacing one once a month isn’t a burden. Your thoughts ?

4) Even if this isn't perfect, what is there to loose by adding this to the cube? I mean a 6 gallon cube doesn't require heavy skimming from my reading, so a little here or there perfect or not should suffice correct?

[Sefu]

1) This is true, many people on various forums complain about micro bubbles (mainly from the nano fission skimmer) exiting the skimmer and going into the 3rd chamber where they are released into the main tank, with this skimmer I have no micro bubble problems!

2) Wet skimmate is produced because of water level, the higher the water level the wetter the skimmate, the lower the dryer the skimmate, you've got to play with the water level

3) Dime a dozen indeed, you can find enough change on the street for a replacement stone when you need one ! :lol:

4) Yea, I think Pros outweight the Cons, I still even got my Chaeto in the 2nd chamber :o

[Sefu]

Sorry I haven't updated with anything,

Here is the skimmate after 1 week

[specsgirl]

Wow! I can't believe this has worked so well for you! Mad props! :)

[Sefu]

Thanks specsgirl :o

[dude412]

I really im new to reef and salt water but very familiar to fresh but what exactly does how exactly does it work can someone explain in the most basic of terms thx. would this mod work for a 10 gallon?

[Sefu]

here yall go!

"To be as unscientific and as clear as possible, let's simply say that the air bubbles inside the skimmer's body strip the water of undesirable waste by-products. How the bubbles accomplish this is a neat trick that needs some explanation. Ever blow bubbles as a kid? Remember all the rainbow colors on them? Just as the soap clung to the giant bubbles you were creating so too, does all the junk and other organic gunk in your aquarium water. Those pretty rainbow colors were the light refracting off the soap film...you could actually see it! In our skimmers, the bubbles are microscopic and the results can only be "seen" after they burst and deposit their "films" into the collection cup! No pretty rainbow of color here...nope. Only the vilest and nastiest looking sludge imaginable ride our skimmer's bubbles. "

- http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/proteinskimmers/a/aa052200.htm

[Sefu]

This mod is a co-current skimmer, you will need to find a place where water travels upwards, is it just your standard 10gal ?