DIY: Protein Skimmer Nano

A nano aquarium is considered to be a tank of 20 gallons or less. In reality, however, nano experts strive to keep their fish and corals in the smallest possible amount of water. Most nano aquariums are therefore less than 10 gallons. These small volumes of water are quickly polluted and require the correct type of filtration. A protein skimmer is a must for nano aquariums, but due to the small size of the tank, a skimmer for such an aquarium will need to be tiny. The instructions that follow are for a 10-gallon tank.

Things You'll Need

  • Transparent plastic tube, 12 inches long and 2 inches wide
  • Vibrator air pump
  • 1 tube nontoxic 100 percent silicone sealer
  • 1 x wooden air stone
  • Silicone air tubing, 3 feet long and 1/4 inch wide
  • Small plastic soft drink bottle, 1 pint
  • 1 plastic clamp
  • 6-by-6-by-2-inch piece of sponge
  • Sharp scissors
  • 2 plastic cable ties
  • Glass aquarium heater holder
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut off the top 1/5 of a 1-quart plastic bottle. Remove and discard the cap.

    • 2

      Position the threaded spout of the bottle into one end of the transparent plastic tube.

    • 3

      Glue the outside of the upper neck of the bottle onto the top of the transparent tube.

    • 4

      Use a finger to spread the silicone around the join, on the outside, to ensure a watertight seal.

    • 5

      Push one end of the silicone air tubing into the exhaust nipple of the air pump. Elevate the air pump higher than the water level in the aquarium. Position the pump on a wall ledge, if such is available. Place the pump onto a piece of sponge to absorb vibrations and reduce noise.

    • 6

      Push the free end of the 1/4-inch diameter air tubing onto the wooden air stone.

    • 7

      Place the wooden air stone into the bottom end of the transparent plastic tube. Bend the air line that is attached to the air stone to the outside of the transparent tube and secure it onto the outside with two cable ties, one near the bottom of the transparent tube and the second near the top of the tube.

    • 8

      Position the plastic clamp on the air pipe, between the air pump and the skimmer.

    • 9

      Push the transparent tube into a glass aquarium heater holder and fix to the aquarium glass, on the inside of the tank.

    • 10

      Plug the air pump into a wall power source and turn on. Adjust the flow of bubbles using the clamp, as necessary.