Fluval or AquaClear surface skimmers

[The Gipper]

the LFS has a skimmer attachment to a canister or HOT filter, similar to Eheim's surface extractor but with a much bigger skimmer "cup". Anyone tried these? I would like to switch from DIY wet dry to canister for my 120, but have had surface scum inpast tanks, which prompted me to go wet dry on this new 120.

Thanks

[Timmain42]

Is it this one?

http://www.mops.ca/pics2/FITO-SS.jpg

If it is, I liked mine quite a lot. They are tunable, depending on your flow rate, and skim the top well.

I did say liked tho. If you get this one, remember that the teeth on the acrylic skimmer are delicate, and won't survive a drop. Or two. :( Oops.

[kveeti]

I have an AquaClear, works great. Looks exactly like the one Timmain42 pictured but the 'teeth' aren't as skinny as those, or maybe I'm just not seeing them right, but mine are about 3/16 inch wide each.

EDIT: Oops, can't even read a ruler! Edited size description to 3/16 inch.

[The Gipper]

Yes that's the one!
What size tank and what filter are you using it with?

Thanks in advance...Mark

[Timmain42]

I had it on a generic PetsMart HOB filter, in a 20G FW.

[kveeti]

Mine is only on a 5 gallon. The betta tank is the only one that gets scummy for some reason. It is attached to an AC mini on its lowest setting. I can't see how it wouldn't work just as well for a larger tank on higher setting. I never knew such a thing existed. I first saw them at an LFS, they looked so cool bobbing around.

[OrionGirl]

I have one on my AC300 in my 40. I'm going to continue using it, but here are a few gripes: takes a certain amount of fiddling to the get blasted thing set right. Otherwise the surface skimmer floats above the water line, and doesn't work. Any floating plants will clog that piece as well, meaning it needs cleaning frequently. I've moved out most of my floating plants to another tank as a result of this. The bottom openings are not easily cleaned--require more effort than the average powerhead--annoying.

Another minor point--if the skimmer peice is removed for cleaning, you should turn off the filter, since fish can then swim into the opening and your filter. I had dwarf puffers in my filter every time I cleaned that part off--didn't figure it out until I saw the little bugger dive right in. :rolleyes:

[djlen]

I've got a cheaper solution to the surface scum problem for you.
I was looking into skimmers myself when someone on another forum suggested I pick up a female(they are more industrious) black mollie. I put her into my open top 55 gal. and within 2 days she had the entire surface clean. I couldn't believe it!!
She's still at work and the problem is gone.
On a negative note, her shop steward contacted me complaining that with the now smaller work-load it's cut into her over time.
I guess you can't please everybody.......

Len

[The Gipper]

I too saw that on another site. Does the Mollie nibble the plants as well?

[djlen]

They are known to be vegetarians and nibble the algae off my Vals. and Anubia, but by far the best job she does is on my surface scum.
Don't let word of this get out or I'll be hearing from her shop steward again....

Len

[sdave1284]

Do you think the surface skimmer attachment above will fit a HOT magnum 250. I have a 35g marine aquarium and its a hex so i dont have much room to hang stuff off the back of it so this seems like a perfect solution to the scum looking buildup on the surface without taking up all the room of an overflow. Thanks for any help.

Dave

[DIYMatt]

If you do decide to use that skimmer I think you will be happy. I use several of those skimmers bought under 3 different names but they are all the same and I love them. It doesn't seem to need the constant adjusting the Eheim ones seem to need to keep it quiet. You can hook that up to just about any filter if you don't mind finding a fitting or two. But the long flexible tubing can make it akward in smaller tanks. What has worked best for me is hooking them directly to the Marineland Magum filter inputs. They are just about the perfect length and diameter. heres how I hooked it up:

Remove the fexible tubing from the skimmer. Go to Home Depot or similar and pick up a 1/2" CPVC 90 degree elbow that is made to go over the tubing on one side and inside the tubing on the other side of the elbow. I forget the exact name, but you will know it when you see it. Then the Over side fits over the magnum intake and the other slides into the skimmer. THey fit really tight and know you have essentially a one peice unit that is at about the perfect height in reference to the water level. It makes a really nice setup and you can hook the magnum inputs directly to just about any non-eheim canisters tubing. IME- to hook it to Eheim you must get a reducer to fit to the Eheim tubing. I don't know about hot magnums exactly, but if the diameter of tubings is the same it should be easy to do. Best of all even if you have to buy the Magnum input, you are still spending less than buying any other surface skimmer attachment I have seen.

I hope this helps.

[resk]

i've literally broken the aquaclear surface skimmer 4 times.

i got replacements for the first couple of times, then bought a complete new unit the 3rd and 4th time

but not anymore....

ive just discovered a way to repair this product, even if all the 'teeth' are snapped off from repeated falls

i'll get some pictures and post how to accomplish this in the DIY