How to Hook Up a Protein Skimmer

Protein skimming is one of the most important aspects when you own a salt aquarium. When you hook up a protein skimmer, air bubbles help remove waste byproducts from the water. It is almost a guarantee that any salt water aquarium system needs a protein skimmer to ensure clean water and a healthy environment for the aquarium fish.

Instructions

  1. Assembly

    • 1

      Attach the strainer to the pump's input. Hook up the pump to the filter's sump. Sumps are used to prevent skimmer overflows by diverting return water through the sump and not allowing it to leave the aquarium owner with a wet floor!

    • 2

      Slide the black box onto the protein skimmer outputs, and tighten the screws.

    • 3

      Place the tubing over barb on the skimmer and tighten the clamp over the tubing and the barb.

    • 4

      Adjust the base screws to create a five degree lean towards sump, then mark the tubing where it needs to be cut in order to fit on the pump.

    • 5

      Remove the protein skimmer and cut the tubing then remove the pump and hook up the tubing and the clamp.

    • 6

      Fasten the airline tubing to the back of the pump and return the pump and skimmer back into position.

    Installation

    • 7

      Put the collection cup on the skimmer. Make sure the lid on the cup has the concave side down.

    • 8

      Hook up the second black box to the protein skimmer outputs.

    • 9

      Add flow control taps to the top of the output tubes with the holes in the tap facing the sump.