Read About DIY Protein Skimmer

DIY Protein Skimmer is easy to construct and can save more than 40% of the cost the commercial product. Here's everything you need to know about it.

How to DIY Protein Skimmer

1. The Facts:

   Protein Skimmer removes the organic waste in the water before they are converted to nitrites or nitrates. This is done be forcing air bubbles into the water. The usual method is to force air bubbles in the opposite direction of the water flow for effective removal. Given below is the DIY plan for one such skimmer.

2. Supplies:

   All the sizes are for a sample model, vary the sizes for your own model to suit the aquarium but make sure you get the proportions between the various parts right. You can uses acrylic or PVC for the fittings. o 1 - 25' x 4' Pipe o 2 - 1/2" PVC tubes of sufficient lengths for inlet and outlet o 3 - 5' x 5' plates o 1 - 1/2" PVC elbow o 1 - 3' x 3' Pipe o 1 - 3' x 1 1/4" Pipe o 1 - 2' x 1 1/2" Pipe o 1 - 8' x 8' plate o 1 airstone and its tube for required length o Silicon sealant/cement o Power Drill, sand paper and other tools

3. What to Do:

   o Drill 1 1/2" hole in the center of two 4' x 4' plates. o Fit the 3' x 1 1/4" tube into the 2' x 1 1/2" tube. Sand down the first tube if necessary. o Glue 3' x 3' tube over 1 1/2" hole in one of 4' x 4' plates. Make sure the hole is centered. This makes collection cup. o Cement 3' x 1 1/2" tube (2' x 1 1/2" fit with 3' x 1 1/4" tube) to hole in collection cup. The portion of 3' x 1 1/4" sticking out of 2' x 1 1/2" is insidecollection cup. o Cement the second 4' x 4' plate to bottom of 3' x 1 1/2" tube. Put whole setup to dry and make skimmer body meanwhile. o Drill two holes in 25' x 4' tube, one hole 1' above bottom and other 1 1/2" below top. Holes must be large enough to fit 1/2" PVC. o Seal one 1/2" PVC to top hole either with cement or 100% silicon sealant (both aquarium safe grade). This is skimmer body. o Glue other 1/2" PVC to 1/2" elbow, And other end of elbow to lower hole in skimmer. o Cement a 3' x 2' tube tocenter of the 8' x 8' plate. Cement this plate to bottom of skimmer body. The 3' x 2' tube on plate will be inside skimmer. o Take the last 4' x 4' tube and drill a small hole to fit tube of airstone into it. Seal plate on top of collection cup. Insert airstone tube and attach to bottom. o Take the collection cup and fit over skimmer body. The bottom of 4' x 4' plate at end of 3' x 1 1/2" will be cemented to top of skimmer body. o This completes the skimmer. Let it dry for a day. Connect the inlet and outlets.

4. Special Considerations:

   Use silicon sealant or cement depending on material type of parts.

5. Other Tips:

   Test the whole setup for a couple of days before you connect it to aquarium.

6. Expense:

   The whole expense varies but usually amounts to half the cost of the original skimmer.