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Alright guys, I scanned all over the internet for plans for a DIY protein skimmer. And what I found was disappointing. I couldn't find any decent plans for a HOB, they were all for sumps. So I sat one night and gathered a few things from around the house and went to work. I started with the extension to one of the gravel vacuums you buy from Walmart and cut it down to the size I needed. Got a small piece if PVC pipe, airline tube, air stone and a small Tupperware container.
Step one:
I took off the blue piece that connects the gravel vac airline to the actual vacuum itself. It has a small, round plastic filter type thing on the inside. Keep this, you will need it later.
Step 2:
Take a small piece of PVC pipe, I cut it so it would be about half the size of the actual "protein skimmer" and attached it to a section on the blue cap. On my particular model it has a small, almost crescent shaped protrusion that the PVC pipe slipped perfectly over.
Step 3:
I drilled two holes on the gravel vacuum. One for the airline tubing and another for water output. Pull the airline tubing through and attach air stone and place the blue cap back on the vacuum.
Step 4:
Now comes the part with small plastic circle piece I told you to keep earlier. I took a hot glue gun and applied a SMALL amount so I could use it on the bottom opening to keep fish from swimming into it.
Step 5:
Take a small plastic Tupperware and drill a hole in the bottom so it will be able to fit tightly over the part of the blue piece that the airline tubing connect to the gravel vacuum.
Connect it to an air pump and get one of the connectors that allow you to adjust the airflow. My bubbles are slow and steady. You don't want it just pushing water up into the collection cup.
I also drilled a small hole in the back to attach a suction cup to so I could stick it to the back of the tank. This is optional, but recommended. Keeps it from moving all over the place.
This cost me less than $10.00 to make.
I'm not guaranteeing 100% success, as I'm still in the testing aspect of it. This is more of a proto-type. Maybe we can all work together to make a highly functioning, affordable protein skimmer. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions! Hope this helps someone!
image.jpg
Step one:
I took off the blue piece that connects the gravel vac airline to the actual vacuum itself. It has a small, round plastic filter type thing on the inside. Keep this, you will need it later.
Step 2:
Take a small piece of PVC pipe, I cut it so it would be about half the size of the actual "protein skimmer" and attached it to a section on the blue cap. On my particular model it has a small, almost crescent shaped protrusion that the PVC pipe slipped perfectly over.
Step 3:
I drilled two holes on the gravel vacuum. One for the airline tubing and another for water output. Pull the airline tubing through and attach air stone and place the blue cap back on the vacuum.
Step 4:
Now comes the part with small plastic circle piece I told you to keep earlier. I took a hot glue gun and applied a SMALL amount so I could use it on the bottom opening to keep fish from swimming into it.
Step 5:
Take a small plastic Tupperware and drill a hole in the bottom so it will be able to fit tightly over the part of the blue piece that the airline tubing connect to the gravel vacuum.
Connect it to an air pump and get one of the connectors that allow you to adjust the airflow. My bubbles are slow and steady. You don't want it just pushing water up into the collection cup.
I also drilled a small hole in the back to attach a suction cup to so I could stick it to the back of the tank. This is optional, but recommended. Keeps it from moving all over the place.
This cost me less than $10.00 to make.
I'm not guaranteeing 100% success, as I'm still in the testing aspect of it. This is more of a proto-type. Maybe we can all work together to make a highly functioning, affordable protein skimmer. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions! Hope this helps someone!
image.jpg
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