DIY skimmer

[Mmsetta]

Attempting my first DIY protein skimmer. Seems like just water flow from the top and air stone at the bottom of the tube will produce the froth I need. Any advice from the veterans?

 

[redfishbluefish]

That's all you need! I can't find the youtube video, but I'm sure if you search you'll find the guy who DIY'ed a skimmer using a water bottle and wood air stone. The only problem is that he used a $140 air pump to supply the volume of air needed to run these types of skimmers. If you were local, I'd give you my air stone skimmer I received with my nano tank. I'm now using a Tunze 9002.....less expensive than the air pump needed to run the aforementioned skimmers.

 

[GHill762]

My diy worked better than my current Tunze 9002 does..

 

[Mmsetta]

Thanks! I have a 30g tank and an extra powerhead and stone so I figured why not try. Put it together in half hour. I have 15 bucks into it! I'll post how it goes.

 

[Mmsetta]

Think I need some adjustments. I think my pump is insufficient - large bubbles but not very "frothy" and more water than I would like in the cup. When I raise the skimmer, the bubbles don't make it to the end of the tube.

I left a large hole open at the end of my cylinder. I am going to try to cover that hole and see if that makes a difference. I hope I don't have to buy a new pump. My tube is only about 6" long and is think 1.5. Do you think I need a very powerful air pump?

 

[Mmsetta]

Ok, been doing some reading and I now realize what a true amateur I am. Please make as many newby comments as you would like. I have been trying out my skimmer in my existing freshwater tank since I haven't converted it to salt yet. That would account for the lack of froth huh?

 

[GHill762]

yeah, fw lacks sufficient surface tension..

are you using a limewood airstone?

also, I found that I got a lot better skimming action going on when I bought a bigger air pump.. I bought a huge air pump and actually had to dial it back (it was like a $50 pump I think)..

 

[redfishbluefish]

What is important with these soda bottle skimmers is to use a wood airstone....to create very small bubbles and a powerful air pump. You will not do it with a small ten dollar air pump.

 

[jokervueboi]

Correct me if i'm wrong but..... skimmers work only in salt water atm. I haven't seen any FW skimmer.

 

[Mmsetta]

Thanks for the feedback. Going to switch to a larger wood airstone and the try it again in my salt tank.

 

[GHill762]

I also found that there was a sweet spot regarding the break in of a wood airstone.. a couple weeks after being put in the tank they'd start working really well, but eventually after about 2 months or so, they'd quit working as well and need to be replaced..

 

[redfishbluefish]

Correct me if i'm wrong but..... skimmers work only in salt water atm. I haven't seen any FW skimmer.

This is correct....saltwater only....and you do need the wood airstone too.

 

[tearlessnikon]

I used a 2 litre bottle with the bottom cut off and that's where I put two wood air stones thw n bought a round food container put a hole in tue bottom so it would slide over the top of the 2 litre it worked pretty good

 

[GHill762]

This is correct....saltwater only....and you do need the wood airstone too.

I have seen people report that some of the newer ceramic and stone airstones work also, but limewood still produces the best results..

 

[backpack]

I've used skimmers on fresh. You need somthing like a becket style. Think about spraying a hose In a bucket before washing a car. Airstones won't cut it. Downdraft may work as well. It only makes sense to use one if your changing filter media out every day or two due to huge bioloads.

 

[Mmsetta]

Made up a bucket of salt water, got a new stone (my local guy was out of wood, but I used a finer ceramic stone). I still am just getting large bubbles and no froth at all. The action looks nothing like the skimmers I see on YouTube.

Considering canning the idea all together. But, last ditch effort....I am going to put a couple pictures up- please, if anyone has advice before I dump it.

Check my pump. Is it too weak?

 

[lighting]

waiting for the pic when you finish it :smokin: