How to Hook Up a Skimmer

Protein skimmers provide excellent filtration for a saltwater tank. By aggressively mixing air with water, they remove organic matter from the water before it has a chance to rot. Organic matter sticks to the outside of the bubbles produced by the skimmer. The bubbles are pushed upwards into a narrower tube (the "neck") and then out into a collection cup. Installing a protein skimmer is fairly easy, although you will need to adjust it with use.

Things You'll Need

  • Protein skimmer
  • Saltwater aquarium
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the collection cup and any loose parts from the skimmer. You do not want them falling off into the aquarium during installation.

    • 2

      Attach the mounting bracket to the skimmer and hang it onto the aquarium or sump if you have a hang-on-the-back (HOB) skimmer. Firmly set the skimmer and adjust the bottom brace to make sure it stands nearly level; when it fills with water it will want to twist outwards so you need the bracket at the bottom to hold it straight.

    • 3

      Add the skimmer to the water at the depth recommended by the manufacturer if you have a submersible skimmer. The instruction manual usually has a range for the depth of the water (6 to 8 inches, for example). You may need to raise the skimmer off the bottom of the sump to achieve this desired level; use any food-safe plastic or glass to do this.

    • 4

      Attach the tube from the pump to the bottom of the skimmer for an HOB skimmer. Use a flexible tube that can fit on both the sump and the skimmer. Sometimes the tube is provided by the manufacturer and other times you will have to purchase one from a hardware store. You may also need to cut the tube shorter to ensure a proper fit.

    • 5

      Attach the air intake line to the silencer for both HOB and submersible skimmers. The silencer is a small box that helps muffle the sucking sound produced by the skimmer.

    • 6

      Reattach the collection cup and any other parts you removed earlier.

    • 7

      Turn the skimmer valve all the way open. This valve restricts the flow of water out of the skimmer; by opening it you lower the water level in the skimmer. Later you may need to adjust it.

    • 8

      Plug in the skimmer with dry hands. It should start sucking both air and water into the main chamber. If it doesn't take in air, adjust the height of the skimmer in the water.

    • 9

      Watch the skimmer run for several minutes looking for leaks and spills. If the skimmer is running properly without leaking water, let it run with the valve open for three days. This will allow bacteria to build up in the skimmer and give you a better idea how to adjust it. To adjust the skimmer, slowly close the valve until the bubbles reach the very base of the neck.