DIY skimmer

[Reef-junky]

Are you better off just buying a skimmer or is it worth making one?

 

[dansreef]

It is my opinion that purchasing key components like a skimmer is very important and buying ones that are sized and designed properly is critical. The innovation manufacturers are making in skimmers also makes them very efficient (energy and heat) and very effective ( removing waste).

 

[Reef-junky]

And expensive

 

[Mandelstam]

Besides the pumps they are not very complex machines.

 

[dansreef]

And expensive

It is a fair statement.... but EVERYTHING in this hobby is expensive...

 

[Mandelstam]

I'm right in the planning stage of my reef and I have many build plans ahead. I've been thinking about making a skimmer just due to the ridiculous pricing. But I'll probably end up buying one and save some time for other DIY projects.

Sometimes when I look at a high end skimmer, which is basically a large plastic bottle with some tubing and a pump, I can't wrap my head around how they can cost $1000. I'm like looking for the gold plated hidden interior lol.

 

[Reef-junky]

It is a fair statement.... but EVERYTHING in this hobby is expensive...

I would not necessary say that. I DIYed my sump for $55 vs what it would cost to buy one that's a big savings.

 

[Reef-junky]

I'm right in the planning stage of my reef and I have many build plans ahead. I've been thinking about making a skimmer just due to the ridiculous pricing. But I'll probably end up buying one and save some time for other DIY projects.

Sometimes when I look at a high end skimmer, which is basically a large plastic bottle with some tubing and a pump, I can't wrap my head around how they can cost $1000. I'm like looking for the gold plated hidden interior lol.

I think a lot of the cost is from the pump but still a rip off.

 

[Coral Hygiene]

I would not necessary say that. I DIYed my sump for $55 vs what it would cost to buy one that's a big savings.

I did the same and DIYed my sump too, but I bought a protein skimmer knowing that it was going to be the heart of my filtration. You could absolutely DIY your own protein skimmer, but getting a name brand skimmer does pay off in the long run- in terms of how effective it works and its reliability. If budget is a problem, you can look on the For Sale threads or ebay and find some nice used skimmers for cheap. I got a good deal on a skimmer for about 60% off retail price from the For Sale threads and it works great

 

[Pntbll687]

I'm right in the planning stage of my reef and I have many build plans ahead. I've been thinking about making a skimmer just due to the ridiculous pricing. But I'll probably end up buying one and save some time for other DIY projects.

Sometimes when I look at a high end skimmer, which is basically a large plastic bottle with some tubing and a pump, I can't wrap my head around how they can cost $1000. I'm like looking for the gold plated hidden interior lol.

It doesn't have to be as expensive as some people think. There are several value based brands out there, and products work as described but may not come with all the bells and whistles like others.

Skimmers can range from cheap to super expensive. If your tank is on the smaller size, look into coralife or aquatop skimmers. I run the coralife 300 on my 220g setup. It isn't as precise in tuning like some other brands, but once I got it tuned in, it skims GREAT.
On my 29g tank I run a aquatop xyclone skimmer. It's rated for a 100g tank, and can work both hang on and in sump. I run mine actually hanging on the sump, this frees up more space in the sump. It's not fancy, and looks a little ugly, but is priced right. You shouldn't pay over $120 for the xyclone.

I am actually VERY partial to these brands. I work for a distributor and we carry these lines. We also carry e-shopps, but they aren't as supportive as the other brands.

 

[dansreef]

I would not necessary say that. I DIYed my sump for $55 vs what it would cost to buy one that's a big savings.

I DIY'ed my sump too. I don't consider a sump necessarily a critical piece. Of course, I am sure someone will disagree. I have used glass fish tanks, an old acrylic fish tank... a rubber maid stock tank...in fact this is what I am using with my 180. Components like a skimmer, reactors, lights... dosing pumps... return pumps... and heaters.... they are critical and in my opinion worth spending money on.​

"Besides the pumps they are not very complex machines."

I have a couple of skimmers in my basement that I bought that performed like crap. I won't give you the names... but they did not do what the mfg said they would do. I upgraded the skimmer on my 180 and the difference is night and day. Yes... they are essentially a series of tubes.... etc...etc.. etc. As a complete package, a good skimmer can be adjusted to deliver the performance you need. I also look at points of failure and warranty. I have a Skimz on my 180 and had a broken seal on the collection cup, edge of two different acrylic pieces, which caused a leak of skimmate back into my system. The skimmer cup was replaced in its entirety under warranty.
​

As I said above... it is just my opinion that buying key components is critical over trusting a DIY build. When you are talking about hundreds and often thousands of dollars of live stock in some of our tanks, I would rather buy something that has been designed, tested and reviewed by others...

 

[Mandelstam]

I think a lot of the cost is from the pump but still a rip off.

Yes, the pumps are probably not cheap but as you say, it's still a rip off. It's not exactly machined titanium. Nor custom made. It's mass produced plastic. Maybe I'm not being fair but that's how I feel.

 

[Mandelstam]

It doesn't have to be as expensive as some people think. There are several value based brands out there, and products work as described but may not come with all the bells and whistles like others.

Skimmers can range from cheap to super expensive. If your tank is on the smaller size, look into coralife or aquatop skimmers. I run the coralife 300 on my 220g setup. It isn't as precise in tuning like some other brands, but once I got it tuned in, it skims GREAT.
On my 29g tank I run a aquatop xyclone skimmer. It's rated for a 100g tank, and can work both hang on and in sump. I run mine actually hanging on the sump, this frees up more space in the sump. It's not fancy, and looks a little ugly, but is priced right. You shouldn't pay over $120 for the xyclone.

I am actually VERY partial to these brands. I work for a distributor and we carry these lines. We also carry e-shopps, but they aren't as supportive as the other brands.

I've been checking out those Aquatop skimmers as a matter of fact and will probably be going that route. But yes they are ugly lol!

 

[Reef-junky]

I did the same and DIYed my sump too, but I bought a protein skimmer knowing that it was going to be the heart of my filtration. You could absolutely DIY your own protein skimmer, but getting a name brand skimmer does pay off in the long run- in terms of how effective it works and its reliability. If budget is a problem, you can look on the For Sale threads or ebay and find some nice used skimmers for cheap. I got a good deal on a skimmer for about 60% off retail price from the For Sale threads and it works great

It not budget it's just just a question of savings money if I can. Don't get me wrong some things are worth spending the money on. I thought about DIYing LEDs as well but decided not to. Was just thinking of this as well.

 

[Reef-junky]

Yes, the pumps are probably not cheap but as you say, it's still a rip off. It's not exactly machined titanium. Nor custom made. It's mass produced plastic. Maybe I'm not being fair but that's how I feel.

I feel the same way. It's a glorified tube with a pump on it.

 

[Reef-junky]

I DIY'ed my sump too. I don't consider a sump necessarily a critical piece. Of course, I am sure someone will disagree. I have used glass fish tanks, an old acrylic fish tank... a rubber maid stock tank...in fact this is what I am using with my 180. Components like a skimmer, reactors, lights... dosing pumps... return pumps... and heaters.... they are critical and in my opinion worth spending money on.​

"Besides the pumps they are not very complex machines."

I have a couple of skimmers in my basement that I bought that performed like crap. I won't give you the names... but they did not do what the mfg said they would do. I upgraded the skimmer on my 180 and the difference is night and day. Yes... they are essentially a series of tubes.... etc...etc.. etc. As a complete package, a good skimmer can be adjusted to deliver the performance you need. I also look at points of failure and warranty. I have a Skimz on my 180 and had a broken seal on the collection cup, edge of two different acrylic pieces, which caused a leak of skimmate back into my system. The skimmer cup was replaced in its entirety under warranty.
​

As I said above... it is just my opinion that buying key components is critical over trusting a DIY build. When you are talking about hundreds and often thousands of dollars of live stock in some of our tanks, I would rather buy something that has been designed, tested and reviewed by others...

I'm not saying your wrong there are some things it's better to buy.

 

[Mandelstam]

To get back a bit on topic lol. If you don't have access to a machine shop maybe it's difficult to make one as efficient and good as a commercial one, at least for the same size. But if you try to build a system with other big export methods, maybe running a simpler diy, a bit less efficient, skimmer is still ok. I mean some run without skimmers at all, and some only for a few hours every day.

 

[Reef-junky]

To get back a bit on topic lol. If you don't have access to a machine shop maybe it's difficult to make one as efficient and good as a commercial one, at least for the same size. But if you try to build a system with other big export methods, maybe running a simpler diy, a bit less efficient, skimmer is still ok. I mean some run without skimmers at all, and some only for a few hours every day.

Exactly a skimmer is one part of the whole filtration system. To me it's a question of cost first then if it's worth the effort of making the skimmer and how effective it is vs a commercial one. I'll have to look into it more. It would be interesting if someone who's made and ran one chimed in. There are people who have a high level of DIY skill and can make something just as good or better then a commercial product.

 

[Skydvr]

I say it depends on what you want out of it, the size of your system, and your setup overall.

The thick acrylic tubing and custom formed tubing is what really drives the cost (whether from actual cost or percieved cost by the consumer) and makes it seem too difficult and expensive to home build. Not to say that there isn't a lot of craftsmanship that goes into them, I just imagine the profit margins are very comfortable on those compared to a lot of other reef related products. The fancy motors or needlewheels are not necessary either. They are great if you are limited to putting the skimmer under a short stand though.

If you have the filtration in the basement, fishroom, have a taller stand, or what have you, a counter current air driven skimmer can be far more efficient than the modern commercial designs. You could even cheaply build a couple shorter or narrower ones to fit a tight or custom spot. They don't typically need to sit in the sump, so behind the stand.
I know of some people with counter current skimmers that have been running them for decades and only utilize them a few hours a day because they will strip too much from the water column otherwise.

Aquatic Systems Engineering by Escobal (don't let the name turn you off, it is less that 1/2" thick and not overly technical, it is approachable for most people) band Dynamic Aquaria (an actual water systems textbook) have a bunch of stuff on air driven counter skimmers. Probably a bunch of stuff online too if you can dig back that far. Other than the nano/pico crowd, most people have shifted over the the more expensive fancier looking designs for convenience, space limitations, or because it is he newest prettiest fanciest gadget with mirical promises [not to devalue their actual value and merit].

 

[Mandelstam]

Happened to see this skimmer on a report from MACNA. A square design like this will probably be a lot easier and cheaper to build diy than the conical/cylindrical.

https://reefbuilders.com/2017/08/28/titanium-square-skimmer-from-macro-aqua/