How to Set Up a Protein Skimmer

A protein skimmer is a crucial part of any reef aquarium. These devices use foam and bubbles to isolate and collect organic particles floating around in the aquarium water before they can break down into harmful chemicals like ammonia and are required in any tanks that contain coral or live rock. Setting up a protein skimmer is not difficult, however most require that you have a sump, which is a squared off location in your aquarium (or externalized from your aquarium) where the aquarium water is filtered. Though there are many different protein skimmer variations, some more advanced then others, the basic installation procedure is quite simple.

Things You'll Need

  • Protein skimmer kit with water pump
  • Airline tubing
  • Scissors
  • Sump
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Instructions

  1. Assembly

    • 1

      Attach the small strainer to the water pump's input, which will filter out organic debris. If you are having trouble locating the different parts, consult the protein skimmer's user manual, which should have all the parts labeled.

    • 2

      Place the water pump at the bottom of your sump. This is where water to be filtered will be sucked up into the protein skimmer.

    • 3

      Slide the black boxes with screws over the skimmer's outputs. These will help keep the output tubes in place when clean water is expelled from the skimmer into the sump and dissipate any remaining bubbles.

    • 4

      Squeeze suction cups (if necessary) over the two screws protruding from the bottom of the skimmer's base. These will help hold the skimmer against the exterior glass of the aquarium.

    • 5

      Attach one end of some plastic tubing, which should come with the skimmer, to the output of the water pump and attach the other end to the input tube of the skimmer. You may need to cut the tubing down to size with some scissors. Using this apparatus, the water pump will take in water with its input and it will travel out of its output, through the tube, into the skimmer and then out of the skimmer through the skimmer's output tubes back into the sump.

    • 6

      Place the collection cup on top of the skimmer. It should screw into place. This is where all of the organic waste will be collected.

    • 7

      Plug the skimmer into a nearby power outlet, which should power on the device.

    • 8

      Allow the skimmer to collect organic waste via foam. It will collect in the collection cup on top of the skimmer. This cup should be emptied at least once every day to avoid spillovers.