airstone skimmer

[11purewater]

Does anybody use there own diy airstone skimmer in their tank,if so could I see some pics?

[gregzz4]

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=87043

[jagermaier]

Let me know if you need any wooden air stones...I have lots! :smile:

[mike31154]

Yep, got one. Came with the used 77 gal set up I have. Not my own DIY, but I did several mods to improve performance & convenience a tad. Even bought some basswood & fashion my own wooden air diffusers. Old school, but works very well, uses little power & is ultra quiet.

Fairly simple gadget, mine is a counter current version, that is, the water is delivered through the top and exits out the bottom, which is where the air diffuser is located. What you need is some tubing, clear is nice, but even large diameter PVC will work. A small powerhead to deliver water into the top of the skimmer, air pump, plumbing, fittings etc. I have a drain tube to take waste down into a plastic pop bottle I keep in a bucket under the skimmer. Search the web for counter current, air driven skimmer & you'll find plenty more info.

Photos. If you need more details, advise.

https://tsl4pa.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pYxamrUgudvKJ0jR5lX0OogIbRsinnDK-sdq-sXRoU8V74MfiQSafYFOvWsSkmS329e92AF3cSbqUY8em5DeRCx wbBTKPYvMg/P1010815d.jpg?psid=1

Small AquaClear powerhead in skimmer box inside display pumps water to the skimmer. Plumbing above the powerhead is the return from the skimmer into a separate compartment in the skimmer box that has a hole in the side near the bottom.

https://tsl4pa.blu.livefilestore.com/y1ppCVVYy3CoLRTVDwOAMCUWj4Z1fBLd51FlHC2yV4CcaE08cA Rwsgr5TnJeuqSFh5HYB3xo0YfFAcW6I1kvICvOnZKK-fdd8Di/P1030317a.JPG?psid=1

DIY monster basswood air diffuser.

https://tsl4pa.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pj9g_jkn2ZtBnV1qmO8ggAOAXQqm3pRpppGFsWg2YKnAzxfF bfzrAaVeeJ1iJ9lxF6-iQ95-wUjcJI74XNNg_MysU8hqL4Rbi/P1030451e.JPG?psid=1

Basswood DIY air diffuser after approx. 6 months of use.

https://tsl4pa.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pOXK3IxmWPLnuMxduDOCAgolQQNZbZN7o-dV7p-CvVMOjENgmy4yUsEe8Hkv5flTrIU3gyu49JKLggJkMcAxmvHVz oImr57o-/P1030542e.JPG?psid=1

[11purewater]

Thats the ticket! thanks:biggrin:

[ferret]

Very impressive regarding the DIY airstone & skimmer!

[mike31154]

Making the air diffuser can be tricky. Last one I made didn't turn out too well, I was in a hurry so ended up simply drilling a hole in a section of basswood so it's like the ones you buy at the LFS. Only two sides of the bought ones produce bubbles, whereas the ones I'm able to glue up have 4 large sides to produce bubbles because of the way the panels are cut. So right now I have two of the conventional type diffusers in the bottom of the skimmer vice a single large one.