Johno’s Protein Skimmer Mk2

Here’s what you need to make the Mk 2 protein skimmer…

• 1 x Tube of Aquatic-safe silicone

• 1 x Small tin of glue
• 20 inches of 4 inch pipe
• 20 inches of 1½ pipe
• 3/4in pipe (this is for your waste outlet, so whatever you want to use!)
• 1½ 90° bend
• 4 inch socket (I made mine by using a heat gun n warming a piece of
pipe up at one end i inserted another piece of pipe inside it, they will
eventually stretch enough to fit inside each other (or you could buy
some push-fit stuff from Wickes or wherever.)
• A 1 litre ice cream tub (empty)
• 20 x 15mm Speedfit pipe inserts (Wickes £5.00)
• 1 x 22mm Speedfit pipe insert (Wickes £1.89 for two)
• 16 inches of 1.5in pipe
• 12mm spade bit
• 42mm tank hole cutter
• 22mm spade bit
• 2-50mm air stones
 • 8mm Airline

1 Sit you tub on a flat piece of wood n with the 12mm spade bit drill 19 holes in
the base of it (you might be able to get more in but I didn’t bother.)

2 Now get your 15mm pipe inserts n put some silicone round the shoulder n
push these through the base of the tub.
3 This picture shows how its based on the same collection tub as my febi.
4 Now put a piece of wood inside the tub this will give it support while you drill
another hole with the 22mm spade bit through the side of the tub, as close to
the base as you can.
5 Now put the tub inside the 4in socket n mark the hole at the base of the tub
onto the inside of the socket.
6 Take the tub out n with the 22mm drill the hole through the socket.

7 Put some silicone round the outside of the tub n put the tub into the socket,
now the 2 holes should line up!
8 Get the 22mm pipe insert put some silicone round this n from the inside of
the tub push it through put some silicone round the outside of the insert as
well this will be the waste outlet.
9 Now on the end of the 4in pipe I cut it at an angle as this skimmer will now
will sit on the base of my filter.
10 Get the 4in pipe that was marked earlier where the water line came to,
measure down 2 inches, now drill a 42mm hole in the side of the 4 inch pipe
this will be the return.
11 Now you will need 3 inches of 1½ inch pipe. Glue this into the side of the
hole you have just drilled. Allow it to protrude through onto the inside by
about ½ an inch.
12 Now put the socket onto the 4in pipe at the same end as the side you put the
hole in the pipe (I didn’t glue mine but you can if you like, it’s up to you!)

13 Attach the bend to the side pipe; put another piece of pipe down to finish
level with the highest part of the angled cut on the 4in pipe.
14 Feed the airlines down through the top of the unit and let them pass through
2 of the 15mm Speedfit inserts you attached earlier, then attach your air
stones, (on these airlines I fitted a couple of inline air valves so I could
regulate the air supply better. This again is upto you!)
15 I drilled a hole near the top of the tub to let the air lines pass through it just
lets the lid fit better (see above.)

16 Now put the lid on.

17 Attach the air lines to your air pump.

18 If you wanted to, you could buy a tin of black spray paint and spray the unit.

19 Now attach a piece of pipe to the waste outlet. I used a piece of conduit, as it
was cheap! You can use either ¾ inch overflow pipe or flexi pipe etc. This
may need siliconing in place so it’s water tight! I have my waste going into a
watering can ready for the garden.

All you need is a slow drip from the waste outlet, if you look inside the tub all
you will see are the bubbles bursting through the collection cup this is where the
valves come in hand so you can regulate your air supply better.

Don’t forget all the parts that have been siliconed in place will need 24hrs to dry!

That’s it, if you need any more info please let me know but I think by looking at
the pictures its self explanatory!