DIY Plans for an Air Driven Counter Current Skimmer

Protein skimmers, or foam fractionators as they are also called, are important pieces of equipment for the marine hobby. Aquarium water quality begins to drop as soon as aquatic life is added to the tank, as fish and invertebrates, such as corals and starfish, urinate and defecate in the water. Protein skimmers remove this water material before it can build up to toxic levels. Counter-current skimmers, which pass water in the opposite direction to the raising bubbles, are more effective than co-current models. Although protein skimmers are expensive to purchase, DIY hobbyist can fortunately make a counter-current skimmer at home.

Things You'll Need

  • Plastic bottle, 1.5-gallon
  • 1-quart plastic bottle
  • Vibrator air pump
  • 1 tube non-toxic 100 percent silicone sealer
  • 1 wooden air stone
  • 2-feet silicone air tubing (0.25-inch diameter)
  • 2 plastic clamps
  • 1 plastic cable tie
  • 6 inches of nylon string
  • Sharp knife or sharp scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut off the bottom of a 1.5-gallon plastic bottle.

    • 2

      Cut a 2-inch long, 0.25-inch wide slit on either side of the 1.5-gallon bottle, just below the neck.

    • 3

      Cut the 1-quart plastic bottle in half. Remove and discard the cap.

    • 4

      Remove and discard the cap of the 1.5-gallon bottle. Put the spout of the 1-quart plastic bottle into the spout of the 1.5-gallon plastic bottle and apply a teaspoon of silicone sealer to the area where the two join. Spread the silicone around the join, using your forefinger, to create a water tight seal. Leave the bottles in order for the silicone to cure for a day.

    • 5

      Cut a small hole, just large enough for the 0.25-inch air tubing to pass through, 2 inches from the bottom of the 1.5-gallon bottle. Push the end of the 0.25-inch diameter air tubing through this hole and to the middle of the bottle. Attach the wooden air stone to the tubing.

    • 6

      Use a pea sized amount of silicone sealer to seal the hole through which the air tubing was passed into the 1.5-gallon bottle. Leave the silicone to dry for a day.

    • 7

      Push the free end of the air tubing onto the exhaust nipple of the air pump. Position the air pump above the aquarium. Use a wall ledge if one is available.

    • 8

      Place the plastic clamp onto the air line, close to the air pump, but within easy reach.

    • 9

      Place a plastic cable tie around the neck of the 1.5-gallon bottle and tighten. Tie one end of the nylon string to the cable tie.

    • 10

      Place the bottle in one of the back corners of the aquarium sump. Ensure that the 2-inch long, 0.25-inch wide slits on either side of the bottle, are just below the water level.

    • 11

      Attach the free end of the nylon string to the rim of the sump, using the second plastic clamp.

    • 12

      Plug the vibrator pump into a wall plug and switch on the pump. Adjust the flow of bubbles as required, using the clamp on the air line.