DIY Venturi Protein Skimmer

Venturi skimmers are powerful versions of the original air-stone-driven skimmer. The heart of these skimmers, which are powered by a submersible pump or power head, is the venture valve, which draws air into the filter. Venturi skimmers are normally larger than air stone skimmers and are positioned in the aquarium sump. Venturi skimmers can be expensive to purchase, but with an understanding of how these filters work, a hobbyist can make a DIY venturi skimmer at home.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium
  • Sump
  • GenX-2400 volute submersible pump
  • 1-inch barbed fitting
  • 1 foot silicone air tubing (quarter-inch diameter)
  • 3-inch-long, 1.5-inch plastic pipe
  • Drill and bit
  • Small tube of nontoxic silicone sealer
  • 3-gallon plastic bottle
  • 1-quart plastic bottle
  • Plastic clamp
  • Kettle
  • Shallow bowl
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Instructions

    • 1

      Drill a quarter-inch hole in the smooth end of a one-inch barbed fitting.

    • 2

      Boil water and pour into a shallow bowl. Place the end of the quarter-inch silicone air tubing into the boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove and push into the quarter-inch hole in the barbed fitting.

    • 3

      Dry the barbed fitting and, using a pea-sized amount of silicone, glue the air tubing into place in the barbed fitting. Leave to cure for at least 24 hours.

    • 4

      Screw the barbed fitting into the exhaust nozzle of a GenX-2400 volute submersible pump.

    • 5

      Cut a 1.5-inch diameter hole in the three-gallon bottle, at the point where the neck begins. Place the three-inch, 1.5-inch-diameter pipe into this hole, leaving 95 percent sticking out of the bottle. Secure with silicone sealer and leave at least a day to cure.

    • 6

      Place the three-gallon plastic bottle on a tabletop and position the submersible pump, with the barbed fitting pointing at and touching the bottle. Position the pump on the opposite side of the bottle to the three-inch pipe.

    • 7

      Mark the point where the barbed fitting touches the bottle and cut a hole in the bottle to accept the tip of the barbed fitting.

    • 8

      Secure the barbed fitting in place with the silicone sealer. Leave to cure for at least 24 hours.

    • 9

      Cut the bottom off a one-quart plastic bottle. Remove the cap and discard.

    • 10

      Remove and discard the cap of the three-gallon bottle. Place the spout of the one-quart plastic bottle into the spout of the three-gallon plastic bottle and apply silicone sealer to the area where the two join. Spread the silicone around the join with your forefinger to ensure a watertight seal. Leave the combined unit to dry for at least a day.

    • 11

      Place the skimmer and attached pump into the sump of the aquarium. The three-inch plastic pipe must be just above the water level.

    • 12

      Attach the loose end of the one-foot silicone air tubing to the rim of the sump using the plastic clamp.

    • 13

      Plug the submersible pump into a wall power source and switch on.