How to Install a Protein Skimmer

A protein skimmer is a filtering device used in fish tanks to remove organic compounds that can harm your fish if left in the tank. These skimmers can pull out material like fish waste and the chemicals produced when a fish dies in the water. You can buy a protein skimmer for any size fish aquarium and install it yourself. The skimmers are put together when you buy them, so the installation is simple and very quick.

Instructions

    • 1

      Connect the input pipe from the pump to the opening on the bottom of the strainer. The strainer is the long, thin cylinder on the side of the skimmer.

    • 2

      Attach the output hose to the output on the skimmer. The output is the nozzle near the base of the skimmer where the water exits.

    • 3

      Place the skimmer and pump into the sump. The sump is the smaller tank that holds your filtering equipment.

    • 4

      Put the collection cup onto the top of the skimmer. The lid should be facing upward and the curved end pointing down, into the skimmer.

    • 5

      Fill the sump with water to the level recommended by your skimmer's manufacturer. For example, if your product recommends surrounding the skimmer between 7 to 10 inches, fill the sump that much.

    • 6

      Monitor the performance of the skimmer, and adjust the water level in the sump if needed until it works best.