DIY Bubble Box Skimmer

Protein skimmers remove molecules of fish urine, feces and other organic waste from aquarium water. These highly specialized filters function by producing huge volumes of micro-fine bubbles, to which the molecules of organic waste attach. The bubbles push up through the box or body of the skimmer and are deposited in a collection cup, for disposal. The body of a protein skimmer, which are available in a variety of sizes, is typically cylindrical. Protein skimmers are normally placed in the aquarium sump, which is a reservoir that stands below the display aquarium. Although commercially-manufactured skimmers are available, aquarium fans can make their own.

Things You'll Need

  • 100-gallon reef aquarium
  • 25-gallon sump
  • Plastic bottle, 1.5-gallon
  • Plastic soft drink bottle, 1-quart
  • 5-inch long, 1.5-inch piece of plastic pipe
  • Tube of non-toxic, 100-percent silicone sealer
  • Sharp carpet knife
  • Vibrator air pump
  • Large wooden air stone
  • 4-foot long piece of air tubing, 0.25-inch diameter
  • 2 plastic cable ties, 6-inches long
  • Thin strip of soft plastic, 3-inch by 3-inch square
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use a sharp carpet knife to cut off the top section of your 1.5-gallon bottle. Make the cut where the bottle's neck joins its shoulder. Place the top section of the bottle on one side.

    • 2

      Use the carpet knife to cut two 2-inch diameter holes, approximately 1-inch from the bottom of the bottle, diagonally opposite one other.

    • 3

      Place the first 6-inch long cable tie around the top end of the 5-inch long, 1.5-inch diameter piece of plastic pipe. Close the cable tie and tighten, but leave the end intact.

    • 4

      Place the second 6-inch long cable tie around the bottom of the 5-inch long, 1.5-inch diameter piece of plastic pipe. Make sure that the ends point in the opposite direction to each other. Close the cable tie and tighten, but leave the end intact.

    • 5

      Fold the ends of the cable ties inward, toward the 5-inch long pipe and place this pipe vertically into the 1.5-gallon bottle. Position the 5-inch long piece of pipe approximately 2.5-inches from the bottom of the bottle and release the folded cable ties. The ends of the cable ties will spring back when released and push against the sides of the bottle. In this way, they will support the 5-inch long pipe in place and secure it in the middle of the bottle.

    • 6

      Use a heaped tablespoon of 100-percent, non-toxic silicone sealer to secure the top section of the bottle back onto its bottom half. Use your finger to smooth the silicone over the joint, which should be water-tight. Put the bottle aside and leave the silicone to cure for at least 24 hours.

    • 7

      Cut the neck off a clean 1-pint plastic bottle and discard the bottom half of the bottle.

    • 8

      Remove the cap, invert the neck section and place the spout of this 1-pint plastic bottle into the spout of the 1.5-gallon bottle. Seal the two together, using a heaped teaspoon of non-toxic, 100 percent silicone sealer. Place the newly made skimmer aside and leave the silicone to cure for at least 24 hours.

    • 9

      Push one end of the 4-foot long air tubing onto a wooden air stone. Place the air stone into one of the two, 2-inch diameter holes near the bottom of the bottle. Ensure that the air stone is directly underneath the vertical 5-inch long piece of pipe.

    • 10

      Roll the 3-inch by 3-inch thin strip of soft plastic into a tube and push a quarter of this into the inverted spout of the 1-pint plastic bottle.

    • 11

      Lower the skimmer slowly into the sump. Water will flow through both of the holes in the bottom of the skimmer and will weigh it down. Ensure that the skimmer is standing in a vertical position.

    • 12

      Attach the opposite end of the 4-foot long air tubing to the exhaust nipple of the vibrator pump. Ensure that the vibrator pump is standing above the water level in the sump, to prevent water draining back through the pump.

    • 13

      Plug the pump into a power supply and turn it on.