My $75 skimmer PULLS the nasty!!!!

[Mikeeal]

I will always recommend a sump, always. The surface skimming and hidden equipment makes it a no brainer IMO. However, sometimes that's not an option. That was the case with this 125 I set up. The stand wouldn't accommodate one and I didn't want to build one, maybe I'm getting old. I did all the research I could on HOB options and none of them appealed to me so I decided to build one.

Honestly I just wanted to prove out this concept to myself and see how it worked. I've been pleasantly surprised with how well it works.

Supplies:

6" clear acrylic tube from Home Depot (online only)
6" collection cup from eBay
(2) magnet cleaners from eBay
Epoxy stick
4" wooden air diffusers

When the parts showed up I was thrilled that the cup fit perfectly in the tube cause I wasn't sure how I'd accomplish that part. I'm pushing four diffusers with an AP300. I epoxied the two magnet cleaners to the body so I can adjust the height, controlling skimmate. Yes I'm giving up some real estate in the tank but I'm not complaining.

 

[Reef-junky]

I will always recommend a sump, always. The surface skimming and hidden equipment makes it a no brainer IMO. However, sometimes that's not an option. That was the case with this 125 I set up. The stand wouldn't accommodate one and I didn't want to build one, maybe I'm getting old. I did all the research I could on HOB options and none of them appealed to me so I decided to build one.

Honestly I just wanted to prove out this concept to myself and see how it worked. I've been pleasantly surprised with how well it works.

Supplies:

6" clear acrylic tube from Home Depot (online only)
6" collection cup from eBay
(2) magnet cleaners from eBay
Epoxy stick
4" wooden air diffusers

When the parts showed up I was thrilled that the cup fit perfectly in the tube cause I wasn't sure how I'd accomplish that part. I'm pushing four diffusers with an AP300. I epoxied the two magnet cleaners to the body so I can adjust the height, controlling skimmate. Yes I'm giving up some real estate in the tank but I'm not complaining.

so is there no pump other then the air pump on this?

 

[Mikeeal]

so is there no pump other then the air pump on this?

Correct.

 

[Reef-junky]

Correct.

i take it the bottom of the tube is unsealed and just sitting there.

 

[Mikeeal]

i take it the bottom of the tube is unsealed and just sitting there.

Yes sir that is correct as well. Very simple and basic but it has been working great for me.

 

[Tamberav]

Wooden airstones work great for skimming... I just don't like cleaning or replacing them :) Nice DIY!

 

[Reef-junky]

Wooden airstones work great for skimming... I just don't like cleaning or replacing them :) Nice DIY!

hard to find tube that big. 6d is huge. Nice build.

 

[Mikeeal]

Wooden airstones work great for skimming... I just don't like cleaning or replacing them :) Nice DIY!

Thanks!

 

[Mikeeal]

hard to find tube that big. 6d is huge. Nice build.

Thanks. It's for dust collection:

 

[Koh23]

Old school = best school ;)

 

[Reef-junky]

Yeah I saw that. I need to go external. I like the needle wheel pumps but they are expensive.