DIY Skimmer for an Aquarium Overflow

Protein skimmers or foam fractionators remove metabolic waste products from both fish and invertebrate animals, such as starfish and sea anemones. Seawater aquariums benefit greatly from the correct use of protein skimmers, which can either be placed in the main or display aquarium, or in the aquarium sump. The sump is a reservoir that stands below the aquarium and receives water from it, via an overflow. Most hobbyists prefer not to place skimmers in their main aquarium and, instead, make use of the sump to house the skimmer (provided they have an overflow on their system, to channel water to the sump and skimmer).

Things You'll Need

  • 90 gallon seawater aquarium
  • 20 gallon sump
  • Plastic bottle, 1.5 gallon
  • Plastic soft drink bottle, one quart
  • 3-inch long, 1.5-inch piece of plastic pipe
  • Small tube non-toxic 100 percent silicone sealer
  • Sharp knife
  • Vibrator air pump
  • One wooden air stone
  • 3 feet air tubing, 0.25 inch diameter
  • Two plastic cable ties, six inches long
  • Thin piece of plastic, two inch by two inch
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut off the top of the 1.5 gallon bottle, at the point where the neck joins the shoulder. Set the top part of bottle aside for future use.

    • 2

      Cut three 1.5-inch diameter holes, approximately 1 inch up from the bottom of the bottle. Space the holes at equal distances from each other around the circumference of the bottle. Use a carpet knife to cut the holes.

    • 3

      Place the first six-inch-long cable tie around the top end of the four-inch long, 1.5-inch diameter piece of plastic pipe. Tighten the cable tie, but do not cut off the end.

    • 4

      Place the second six-inch-long cable tie immediately below the first cable tie on the four-inch long, 1.5-inch diameter piece of plastic pipe. Ensure that the end points in the opposite direction to the end of the first cable tie. Tighten the cable tie, but do not cut the end off.

    • 5

      Fold both ends of the cable ties toward the four-inch-long pipe and place this pipe vertically into the 1.5-gallon bottle, with the cable ties at the top. Position the four-inch-long piece of pipe approximately two inches up from the bottom of the bottle and gently release the folded cable ties. The cable ties will spring back against the sides of the bottle and hold the four-inch-long pipe in place, in the middle of the bottle.

    • 6

      Place the top section of the 1.5-gallon bottle back onto the bottom half and use one tablespoon of silicone sealer to secure the two halves together. Smooth out the silicone to create a good seal. Allow the bottle to cure for 24 hours.

    • 7

      Cut the neck off the one pint plastic bottle. Discard the bottom half of the bottle.

    • 8

      Invert the neck section of the one pint plastic bottle and place the spout into the spout of the 1.5 gallon bottle. Use a teaspoon of silicone to seal the two together. Leave the silicone to cure for a day.

    • 9

      Attach one end of the three-foot-long air tubing to the air stone. Push the air stone into one of the 1.5-inch diameter holes near the bottom of the bottle. Position the air stone underneath the vertical four-inch-long piece of pipe.

    • 10

      Roll the 2 x 2-inch thin piece of plastic into a tube shape. Push a quarter of this tube into the inverted spout of the 1-pint plastic bottle.

    • 11

      Place the bottle in a vertical position, in the aquarium sump. Water will immediately flow into the bottle through the holes near the bottom and weigh it down.

    • 12

      Attach the free end of the three foot long air tubing to the vibrator pump. Position the pump above the water level of the sump.

    • 13

      Push the plug from the pump into a wall power supply and turn it on.