HOW TO: DIY Aquarium Skimmer

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Most popular comments
for HOW TO: DIY Aquarium Skimmer

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presouz - 7 years ago

I use this to clean the bare bottom of my tanks!! LOVE IT, multi purpose uses.. maxi jet a must have

Ron Riggs - 7 years ago

Joey....when we first cranked the maxi-jet up, it shot out white stuff? Is that just air/oxygen?

yon sokheng - 7 years ago

speak alot

Rafany Valadao Xavier - 7 years ago

muito obrigada thanks so much

Jan Teunis - 7 years ago

The surface in my tank is being kept in movement alle the time by the filter outlet, but it still has a oily layer which wont go away, so i hope to find a solution here

samantha denham - 7 years ago

i didnt obviously clean my new gravel well! loads of buildup on the surface! made my own skimmer .... but not as good as this one!

cubanace Simulations - 8 years ago

awesome tips and great channel!.

Günter TV - 8 years ago

normaly i bought everything but since i found your channel i started doing things myself ind they work just as fine.
thanks for saving my purse!

1stladyalison - 8 years ago

loving your vids... thank you so much for sharing....

10. comment for HOW TO: DIY Aquarium Skimmer

GingerGamer - 8 years ago

I know this video is almost 3 years old, but can I put a pack of carbon in it to clear the water once the pump pushes the water out?

Building With Zach - 7 years ago

yes

Dave Allen - 8 years ago

i want to make something like this for a 5gl tank whats the smallest power out there?

Tbomb - 8 years ago

How do i make the protein skimmer with the pump like that? Does the pump work for the other video you make on december 2014?

tammy bartelme - 8 years ago

I have a 55 gallon tank. What size power head would I need.

William Arenas - 8 years ago

Nice video and I hope you can answer this next question, Is this polisher filter/skimmer affects the good bacteria? I already has a filter but I would also like to use your polisher filter, any suggestion? Thank you in advance.

NEB Barnes - 8 years ago

How strong is the intake? I have 2 beta fish tanks. I do 10-15% water changes every week. This last week I noticed after 2 days of doing the water change, I see like a colorful film just on the surface of the water. Not sure what it is. Not sure if its coming from the filter. I have not cleaned the actual filters yet for fear of loosing the good bacteria. I have cleaned the outside of the filter though and the decorations in the tank. I just use the old water in the bucket to clean them down, getting the slimy layer off of them and then put them back in. The water I use to change out are in gallon water bottles with tap water in them. I fill them with tap water along with putting the 7 drops of water conditioner and set them aside for 7 days uncapped. So not sure if the stuff floating on the top is the chemicals. Thinking of making this to maybe get rid of this. Or maybe I need to rinse out the filter inserts before putting it back in the tank. Any suggestions?

DreaminFantasys - 8 years ago

Can this work well for freshwater aquariums?

Gabriella Davis - 9 years ago

I want to do all of these DIY aquarium media for my 75 oscar tank. My parents won't let me do anything DIY because they think it won't work and they just make me buy expensive filters/etc

Payton Barry - 9 years ago

could my surface skimmer replace my powerhead/WaveMaker and my protein skimmer because it pushes water with the power head but also skimms the surface for proteins?

Chee Yang - 9 years ago

Do you have any diy videos for a wave maker? I'm planning to use it for a small planted shrimp aquarium

20. comment for HOW TO: DIY Aquarium Skimmer

Michelle Partin - 9 years ago

I have a maxi jet but can't find a bottle that fits!

Killerkings 1111 - 9 years ago

i have a Rena XP4 for my 75g cichlid tank. the tank just doesn't have enough water movement so i'm gonna make one of these to increase water flow.

Ross Ellis - 9 years ago

I just asked for this lol. Should have know the king is the man

Rahul Ceper - 9 years ago

Krennnnn

Quantum Aquatic - 10 years ago

I'm planning to make this but only for a water polisher, I already have an ehim 49$ surface skimmer but I have to say the diy version has a bigger surface area meaning more wait time before maintinencr because it wouldn't get clogged up as much. And for the ehim surface skimmer small fish can get stuck into there if there is god around it they will most likely get sucked inside as I have lost two neon tetras cause of it, I fixed this problem though by using one of the plant pots u buy at an aquarium store with the black plastic pit with bars around it, just place a bar.infront of the surface skimmers notches and no fishies will fall in

humantripod - 10 years ago

Do you think the flow would be ok for my 3" painted turtle? I don't want there to be too much current making it difficult for him to swim. I currently have a Fluval U2 in the tank and wondering how the current would compair

Eric Albert - 10 years ago

Merci beaucoup pour vos videos magistrales !!!
Eric (from Paris)

Aj Requitillo - 10 years ago

Is it ok to turn upside down the pump? Will it not be broken in the long run? Thanks man great video!

The king of DIY - 10 years ago

It wont matter if it is upside down. That has nothing to do with the direction the impeller spins.

Michael Earle - 10 years ago

awesome !!

Jim Tee - 10 years ago

I just built this and it works and easy to do.

30. comment for HOW TO: DIY Aquarium Skimmer

Dylan pennells - 10 years ago

What are the rays I would like them in one of my tanks

REIF ISEPPIC - 10 years ago

thankyou for this video my planted tank looks so good
I also put activated carbon in mine

barrie4437 - 10 years ago

love the vids man, but can u help me. i use live plants in my tanks and have the problem with fish picking bit off witch float's, can u help.

J Rod - 10 years ago

What about the glue on the bottles? Harmful to fish?

stfu idiot - 10 years ago

your videos are amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing :)

محمد عبدالله - 10 years ago

KEEP GOING WITHOUT MUSIC AND ADVANCED EDITING DON'T LISTEN TO THEM
YOU ARE COOOL WITH WHAT YOU ARE DOING ,,, GOOD WORK

TROPICAL FISH MAN - 10 years ago

great tip as always thanks

Latinodelsur1 - 10 years ago

Brilliant like all your videos, thank you Joey for your help and your time.

Smelly GimmePrivacy - 10 years ago

I love your videos, Joey. I know that you do this because you love it, but I just want to say that with some music and advanced editing, you could be huge. You are already my go-to guy for DIY aquarist help, but I'd love to see you make a living with your videos.

ocruzyval309 - 10 years ago

i have a question: I would like to use my canister "Marineland 360" to filter both my 120 tank, as well as, 10 gallon tank. it is posible? is the marineland powerfull enough to accomplish the filtration task?

Bicara bebas - 11 years ago

is that so simple like that..? ok I'll try thanks

Asquith Harris - 11 years ago

Thank you Joey

Bradley S - 11 years ago

Should we worry about the glue that holds the label on the water bottle?

aqaria hub - 11 years ago

can i have one of your shits?

Erick Endozo - 11 years ago

do i need a protein skimmer on a Freshwater tank??

Peachdollar - 11 years ago

Do you know any body that wants to buy some eels look me up under 260 gallon tank

Mike Foster - 11 years ago

Sick idea bro!

arc corona - 11 years ago

Thank You, Posting This Video It Helps In My Pond Thanks., Youtubers :)

[ UIT ] Lee, JongYun - 11 years ago

Thank you!

Wooden Tool Man - 11 years ago

I like your stuff Joey. Easy to build and very affordable

50. comment for HOW TO: DIY Aquarium Skimmer

jeremy escasa - 11 years ago

smart and simple. good job

Kirsty Zubko - 11 years ago

Great Video.

Liberty1982 - 11 years ago

Have a question. I have two marineland 350's it has a filter on top you can up so it will filter the top part of the tank too. Is that pretty much the same thing as you showed or is that good to have also? Thanks.

Kavishakc - 11 years ago

haha nice one. people like you in youtube must get more views and subs. you explain everything and even communicate with the viewers. i can tell a lot of good about you and i didnt to it in the first comment cause its rare to find someone who thinks about his viewers. keep it up man. im so glad u saw my comment

All About DIY - 11 years ago

Hey awesome video and instructions i just had a couple of questions about tuning the skimmer. i built it to your specs and and am using a maxi jet 900 power head. everything went smooth but im having a performance issue. it doesnt seem to be skimming as well as yours does in that ray tank in the video. im running it on a 380 gallon tank so i dont know if i need to make another one or just adjust it up or down in the tank. any help would be much appreciated. thanks

Martini Ricki - 11 years ago

Hi Joey.Thank u very much for sharing your project and especially the clear crisp instructions. God bless U!

Vincent Moore - 11 years ago

Thank you Joey!

87BigPerm - 11 years ago

Thanks Joey about the Rays, My kids wanted some Walmart fish to take care of and ya. My 8yr son and me want to build a fish tank, I looking into something better then low end fish. I tried salt water but fresh water is what i plan on. I got a vid for you. Talk about low maintenance on up to exotics fish ext.

Rinaldi Kesuma - 11 years ago

nice video and great idea. greeting from Indonesia.

James Conrey Aquatics - 11 years ago

Good simple techniques, awesome

MrHoney2U - 11 years ago

Nice one Joey. Ive thought about something like this before. Thanks for the info.

Pondguru - 11 years ago

This is one of the best DIY filters I've seen - nice one, man. So simple yet very effective.

Claude Johnson - 11 years ago

Man you are a lifesaver... this is perfect for my 40g grow-out tank...

Slim Tim - 11 years ago

Awesome idea

Marckion - 11 years ago

Fixing equipment like air pumps and filters. Replacement parts and even like using water testing kitsk. Also do you do salt water? I can't wait to see some planted tanks!

Don Jensen - 11 years ago

Joey, Could you please list the model number of that power head for reference to us whom may want to use it or a equivalent model. Maybe update the description to show it if that is still possible on here.

Kimberly A Lord - 11 years ago

Thank you

Kimberly A Lord - 11 years ago

How many times a day do you feed your fish Joey? Once, twice, three times? What about fry? I asked this question in a small fish group and the answers were all different. I would appreciate knowing your views on fish feeding. Thanks

חנן רווה - 11 years ago

U r number 1 wow

87BigPerm - 11 years ago

Joey been watch a lot of your videos. Love them! I would like to see pics/video on what your Big tank looks like with your Rays, been looking around for some tanks ideas , and some dif. fish to do, are Rays hard to take care of ? I got some 3 Bala Sharks in a 75 gal. now my oldest 1 is coming up on 8years old, and about10-12in along.

Christopher S. - 11 years ago

Love your videos!! Recommend a small diy filter or a store bought one for a small 1 gallon shrinp tank?

finn niko - 11 years ago

!!!OH YA !!!Got to make one of these

Hasnat Abul - 11 years ago

Is it too noisy?

Hasnat Abul - 11 years ago

The notches will be very sharp and can do substantial harm to the fish

Leon Ngo - 11 years ago

Joey, if I may make a suggestion. You have great content in your videos, but many viewers like myself may want to see the end product in action (like a product demo) first, before you start talking about the project. Some people may not know what it is, but they would rather see the action demo first.

Josh Russell - 11 years ago

Yes it is. Best part was this system kicks my fluval 405s ass for particulate removal.

Josh Russell - 11 years ago

I made an surface skimmer out of the following. PVC Overflow as shown by Joey (Thanks Joey) 25 liter bucket with lid 100 micron filter sock (whatever size you want) Pond pump Some clear hose. Cut a hole in the lid of the bucket for the filter sock to sit. Put the pond pump inside the bucket and ran return hoses. Directed the over flow system to pass through the filter sock. Basically used the bucket as a mini sump. 100 micron polisher and skimmer all in one. For around 75 bucks. Works great!

Reef Raf - 11 years ago

why would people dislike this video. morons.

Marckion - 11 years ago

Also what do you think about you doing how to fix videos for aquarium equipment

Marckion - 11 years ago

Hey joey do you do anything with plants?

NickMach007 - 11 years ago

101 things you can do with a water bottle...another cool tip. thanks for posting.

SIMUANGCO2468 - 11 years ago

Agreed really wanna see an update of the tanks!!!

Tony Nguyen - 11 years ago

have u done a diy cal reactor?

santana1224 - 11 years ago

Hey joey u should make a video update of your 540g been following u for a while now..... Thanks

cALiP12INC394 - 11 years ago

Really cool

MolonLabe - 11 years ago

This is a really cool idea and I'm ashamed I didn't think of it myself!

James Stewart - 11 years ago

You should make a video on how to DIY fish feeder

deathbringerdk - 11 years ago

Well made Joey. Thanks for sharing. b.r. Lasse, Denmark Europe

Boxboymike - 11 years ago

Very cool.

TheJorelee - 11 years ago

Hey Joey any updates on your ray tank? I was really excited to see the finished product

Arron Moore - 11 years ago

been following for a while but i shall give this one a try, First time diyfishkeeper

Thomas Estrada - 11 years ago

Done. That was easy. Why didn't I think of this? You're the Man Joey!

Nvizn1 - 11 years ago

Excellent DIY, to skim the top of my QT system! Thanks for the idea!

David McClelland - 11 years ago

You can already build/buy foaming skimmers for salt water. The problem is with fresh water it is very difficult if not impossible to get fresh water to foam. This eliminates the need for foaming, at least for fresh water. I stand behind my statement this is just genius. :-)

Ray Chipchase - 11 years ago

Sweet, I was just thinking about a project like this

curtismaximus123 - 11 years ago

Dang I thought you were finally going to do a protein skimmer! I enjoyed the vid anyway. Keep up the good work!

curtismaximus123 - 11 years ago

Hi Arthur, you can you this on a saltwater tank. What he was saying is that this is not a protein skimmer or Foam Fractionator like saltwater tanks use.