If the protein skimmer is used for the first time, it is important to check if there are no leaks in the system. It will also be necessary to replace the air pump tubing, air hose and air stones.
All of these will wear out with time, and should be replaced before using them. Many people find it difficult to choose a new set of stones from a sea water tank shop. To know how to make a nozzle for protein skimmer, some users want their own homemade blow pipe because they feel that the ones which come with the protein skimmer is not really functional or inefficient.
Many of the protein skimmers on the market come with nozzles. These nozzles will wear out over time, however. They can even stop working if the skimmer is built improperly or if it wasn’t assembled properly. The good news is that you can easily make a nozzle so you don’t have to buy one.
Materials Needed
A protein skimmer is an essential piece of equipment for any saltwater aquarium. The skimmer removes organic waste and other undesirable materials from the water, before they break down and become toxic to your fish and corals. If you have a small aquarium, it may be difficult to find a protein skimmer that is sized appropriately for your tank. In that case, you can build your own protein skimmer with some basic tools and materials.
Make a nozzle for your protein skimmer
1. Measure the diameter of the outside of the 1 inch PVC pipe where you will attach the nozzle. Place a 1 inch PVC coupling on the pipe, then trace around the outer edge of the coupling with pencil.
2. Cut along the line with a utility knife to make a groove in the pipe about 1/4 inch deep all around its circumference.
3. Sand out any rough spots inside the groove with sandpaper. The bottom of the groove should be flat and smooth so that it will fit tightly against the coupling when they are glued together later.
4. Wrap masking tape around one end of a 1 inch PVC coupling until it fits snugly inside the groove in the pipe you just cut. The tape should stick up above both ends
Cut PVC Pipes into Several Tiny Pieces
While cutting PVC pipes, the friction between the blade and pipes makes the process so much easier. To cut the pipes into several tiny pieces, you need to hold a hacksaw.
If you are using a manual one, put pipe on your workbench and move the saw back and forth. It will take some time as it is done manually. But if you use a power saw, you need to place the pipe in the appropriate holder and start cutting. The best tip for this step is that you should not apply too much pressure on the saw as it can cause damage to your blade.
Drill Holes in PVC Pipes
The most important thing to remember when attempting to drill holes in PVC pipe is to use a drill bit that is made for plastic. You must use a drill bit made from carbide, otherwise you will end up melting the entire pipe.
It’s also a good idea to buy a drill bit specifically for PVC instead of using one that you might have lying around, because over time, PVC tends to dull the bit.
When drilling, make sure that your pipe is properly clamped down so it doesn’t spin. Because we’re working with an extra long piece,
Once your hole is drilled, slightly bevel the edges of the hole with your knife so they are slanted downward toward the inside of the pipe. This will allow water to flow into but not out of the nozzle.
Connect the Pipe Pieces Together with Plastic Adhesive
A protein skimmer removes the protein from your tank water. It is a very important piece of equipment for saltwater or reef tanks as it prevents nuisance algae and diseases from taking hold in your tank. You can buy skimmers, but they are expensive. The basic mechanism used in commercial skimmers can be built at home easier and cheaper than you might think.
Step 1:
Cut the PVC pipe into three pieces, two 8-inch pieces and one 4-inch piece. Use the scissors to cut the pipe, or cut it with a hacksaw if you want to make a straight cut.
Step 2:
Cut the ends of the 4-inch piece of pipe at 45-degree angles with the scissors or hacksaw. These angled ends will be where we insert the other two pieces of pipe, so we need to make them fit together snugly without any gaps.
Step 3:
Insert one 8-inch piece of pipe into one angled end of the 4-inch piece of pipe, then insert another 8-inch piece into the other angled end. There should be about an inch of overlap on each end when you are done, so that you have 1/2 inch sticking out on each side.
Glue the Nozzle to a Small Power Head
The first thing you need to do is glue the nozzle to a small power head. This can be quite a messy job so I would wear gloves and have a rag handy.
Place the nozzle into the water, this will help you to avoid any leaks during gluing. Take some aquarium safe silicone and put it onto the nozzle and then push the power head into it. Make sure that its secure and holds fast in position.
Conclusion
Once you know how to make a protein skimmer nozzle, then you can design it in a way which best suits your needs. You can make a simple, yet professional looking nozzle for your protein skimmer with the proper materials.
