How to Plumb a Protein Skimmer

You've chosen the correct size and type of protein skimmer for your saltwater aquarium, but how do you hook it up so that dirty water comes in and cleaner water goes out? You can choose the hard plumb method, using PVC pipe and ball valves, or the soft plumb method that utilizes flexible vinyl tubing and hose-barb nozzles. Either way, the direction of water flow is the same, though with different types of protein skimmers there will be more or fewer joints.

Things You'll Need

  • If using PVC pipes:
  • PVC pipe primer and glue
  • Pipes
  • 2 ball valves (minimum)
  • Elbow joints and t-joints
  • If using flexible vinyl tubing:
  • 2 hose-barb nozzles (minimum)
  • Tubing
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Instructions

    • 1

      Draw water out of the aquarium, either directly from mid-water or from an overflow surface skimmer. If not using a surface skimmer, you will need a pump that churns surface water to keep oils and other proteins in solution.

    • 2

      Direct water from the aquarium or surface skimmer to the protein skimmer one of three ways: From aquarium to a sump, directly to the top of the agitation chamber of the protein skimmer or from the aquarium or sump into a pump. From the pump, plumb the water through a valve to the top of the agitation chamber.

    • 3

      Return water to the system from the agitation chamber at the bottom. Angle the return pipe entrance downward to reduce the amount of bubbles returning to the tank.

    • 4

      Run the return pipe through another valve to the sump or back into the tank. If the skimmer is to be located below the water level of the tank, a sump is essential as part of the set-up. Gravity will not allow water to return to the tank from below without a pump mechanism. For hang-on and in-tank type protein skimmers, this is not an issue.