HOB Surface Skimmer:Reloaded

[Master Er]

I mentioned a few weeks ago in one of my posts that I handcrafted a "surface" skimmer for the HOB filter which I will/have been using in my 2.5MiniBow. I really dont know if this has been done but so far, after vast searches I came up with nothing. So heres my skimmer version for the HOB.

Before: I got this at Wal-mart, nothing special about it except that the parts are compatible with other branded HOBs.

I took the intake tube out and after analyzing the possibilities...

I came up with this. Not really that pretty at the moment, very crude looking infact but it works.

Here is how it looks when installed to the main unit...

Before I had the nerves to post this, I went through a few trial and errors and here is what I came up with. When I initially tested this, I used freshwater and the HOB had a filter pad installed. Everything went well and cleared my tank 2.5 tank under 10 minutes. But when I used it in saltwater, it produced micro bubbles and took far longer to clear the surface. I later realized that I wasnt using a filter pad since I really didnt use any in my NanoCube, and I still dont with this one.....The micro bubbles were an indication that the water level was too low since this skimmer thing does tend to suck in air at low water levels, it does look cool though...helps oxygenate the tank too. And the lower water inlet still does its job. Bottom line, it works very well for me and if any of you do decide to go for this, I hope it works for you too....the same concept will work on an aquaclear and other HOB's as well.

Heres what my water surface looks like...

From another angle....

My 2.5MB still cycling....

Was it worth the trouble?

 

[Master Er]

By the way, doing this mod does not interfere with the filtering action of the HOB...infact it helps alot more. And for a much faster performance, use a filter pad.

 

[drty811]

nice job with the DIY. impressive

 

[Master Er]

Thanks alot.....and thank you too for providing me with answers to my various questions concerning other topics.

 

[sadielynn]

awsome now for a quick question I can not tell on the one picture but will it suck up fish or do you need to put a "prefilter" ie ac filter pad on it or will it interfere with the performance

 

[Master Er]

Nope it wont since the teeth are above the surface (just about over, to the point that it looks almost even with the surface) and the bottom inlet tube still has a strainer. With a filter pad installed, it'll skim faster and you will have better performance in skimming. Without a filter padit will still skim the surface but will take much longer. I prefer to not use a filter pad since i'm really not in a hurry to skim the surface except that I do use a small bag of purigen...i guess it acts as a filter in some way. In other words, it works both ways.

 

[sadielynn]

ah ha thank you maybe we will try it on ours here I swear I am such a dork when it comes to diy stuff

 

[Master Er]

Have fun!!!

 

[incysor]

Very nice. Where did you get the pieces to attach to the intake tube?

B

 

[leaffish75]

i was wondering the same thing

 

[Master Er]

Thats a piece of hose which I heated up so it would bend....I saw an elbow joint at my LFS, the diameter was the same but the bend was to big so I used a hose instead. And the top part of the tube was originally the extension tube of the HOB...cost: Zero $$$

 

[Master Er]

By the way, has anyone tried this mod and how has it worked for you? The surface of my water is crystal clear....is anyone having problems adjusting the height...I would gladly coach anyone on how to set it. I have only mastered the mod for the AC series and the Wal-mart brand or similar to that like the Penguin (is that Marineland?) type. As I havent tried using the other brands yet. Feel free to ask questions. Sadie, Drty, Leaffish, Incysor...anyone?

 

[sadielynn]

I am too afraid to try it I may end up blowing something up

 

[drty811]

i built one for my AC, it worked for a day an then nothing. so im scraping it for the time being. i am going to build a new HOB refugium soon though with a box surface skimmer. will keep updated and informed.

 

[Unclejessie1967]

Skimmer made simple $2.49

So I Made a skimmer last night before seeing this post. I wnnt the ultra simple route. I purchased a Plastic tube sold for keeping Ritz crackers fresh. It was aproz 9"x2.5". Cut it to the length of my pickup to the bottom of the HOB and cut 3 slots in it to allow water in. It just slip[s over the pickup and floats so you don't have to worry about height. Since the water has to travel down to enter the pickup the bubbles never make it that far. This system is sorta crude but taught me what I needed to know to fab one, and cost me less that 3 bucks and all of 2 min to fab. Just thought i'd pass along so there is no excuse for everyone that is interested in trying this not too as you don't need to modify any of your equip. Here is a drawing I drew up. I am still in the cycle phaze so I have lots of time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers
Eric