How can I skim without a skimmer?

gowlover · 09/08/2007, 08:23 PM

I cant afford a protein skimmer right now but it looks like the top needs to be skimmed off(a lot of stuf floating around up top). What do you suggest I do for now?

Reefjunkee · 09/08/2007, 08:26 PM

Point a power head toward the surface of the tank to create turbulance to mix the floating debris up so it can be filtered by Your filter.

kau_cinta_ku · 09/08/2007, 08:26 PM

point a powerhead tward the surface to get water movement and better air exchange

Reefjunkee · 09/08/2007, 08:28 PM

jinx on You kau

gowlover · 09/08/2007, 08:34 PM

LOL Thanks & Thanks!

kau_cinta_ku · 09/08/2007, 08:36 PM

ok well looks like i need to speed up the fingers. lol

Gary Majchrzak · 09/08/2007, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gowlover
I cant afford a protein skimmer right now but it looks like the top needs to be skimmed off(a lot of stuf floating around up top). What do you suggest I do for now?

you might collect the scum off the surface with a paper towel or use a cup to skim the surface manually.

Sk8r · 09/08/2007, 08:42 PM

Consider DIY'ing a skimmer: the principle is simple: a jet of water hits the water surface inside a closed chamber, causing the rise of foam into a cylinder and thence into a collection cup. Go to the DIY forum and have a look.

jasonh · 09/09/2007, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gowlover
I cant afford a protein skimmer right now but it looks like the top needs to be skimmed off(a lot of stuf floating around up top). What do you suggest I do for now?

Go to the store and get a 20 oz bottle of your favorite water and head home, taking a few drinks along the way. When you get home, gulp down the rest of the water. Pull the plastic label off (not really required) and rinse the bottle in hot water. Now take it to your tank. Keeping the bottle vertical or slightly tilted, lower it into the water until the opening just breaks the water's surface. it'll start pulling all the crap off the top of the tank. Don't go too fast or too slow. Might take a couple tries, but it works well.

Sorry, I felt like giving long instructions tonight

09/08/2007, 08:23 PM	#1
gowlover Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Posts: 121	How can I skim without a skimmer? I cant afford a protein skimmer right now but it looks like the top needs to be skimmed off(a lot of stuf floating around up top). What do you suggest I do for now? __________________ 70gl, 60lb of live rock, 36" CF 2x96watt actinic and daylight, 400watt 15K MH, Yellow Tang, Wrasse, Foxface, purple anemone, green Goniopora, Mushrooms, Emerald crab, 5 lg turbos Current Tank Info: 70g & 10g

09/08/2007, 08:26 PM	#2
Reefjunkee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Evans,Georgia Posts: 633	Point a power head toward the surface of the tank to create turbulance to mix the floating debris up so it can be filtered by Your filter. __________________ "It was only 20 dollars honey (yeah right)and when it grows bigger I can frag it sell it and triple my money!!!" Current Tank Info: 92 corner bow,160lb`s Figi,SPS,LPS and a few softies,EuroReef CS8-3 skimmer,MRC dual reactor,OM supersquirt on Iwaki MD30rlxt w/4 returns,2 Tunze 6055`s w/multicontroller,poseiden auto top off,aqualogic 1/3 chiller,blah,blah,blah,blah

09/08/2007, 08:28 PM	#4
Reefjunkee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Evans,Georgia Posts: 633	jinx on You kau __________________ "It was only 20 dollars honey (yeah right)and when it grows bigger I can frag it sell it and triple my money!!!" Current Tank Info: 92 corner bow,160lb`s Figi,SPS,LPS and a few softies,EuroReef CS8-3 skimmer,MRC dual reactor,OM supersquirt on Iwaki MD30rlxt w/4 returns,2 Tunze 6055`s w/multicontroller,poseiden auto top off,aqualogic 1/3 chiller,blah,blah,blah,blah

09/08/2007, 08:34 PM	#5
gowlover Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Posts: 121	LOL Thanks & Thanks! __________________ 70gl, 60lb of live rock, 36" CF 2x96watt actinic and daylight, 400watt 15K MH, Yellow Tang, Wrasse, Foxface, purple anemone, green Goniopora, Mushrooms, Emerald crab, 5 lg turbos Current Tank Info: 70g & 10g

09/08/2007, 08:42 PM	#8
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Consider DIY'ing a skimmer: the principle is simple: a jet of water hits the water surface inside a closed chamber, causing the rise of foam into a cylinder and thence into a collection cup. Go to the DIY forum and have a look. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

09/08/2007, 08:26 PM	#3
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	point a powerhead tward the surface to get water movement and better air exchange

09/08/2007, 08:36 PM	#6
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	ok well looks like i need to speed up the fingers. lol