How to skim surface? May have figured it out (Ugly though)

So basically my skimmer so SO DIRTY and needed a cleanup so i took it off. Probably also gonna leave it off for the night. However i have something cool i just thought of. Basically, ive always tried to figure out a way to skim the surface. I was looking round int he garage and found this large bent piece of PVC. It specifically says its used for conduit (rigid and non metal). However since its PVC is should be aquarium safe and i have also already washed it. But what i thought, was if i super glue this to the front of my pump (over the intake) it would bend upwards and skim the top of the water. What do you all think about this... pics attached.


Also, can i leave my skimmer/pump overnight in dishwater/soap to really clean the inside of it and just make sure to give it a good wash tomorrow before i put it back on or is that a bad idea?

 

bump.... at least a quick response on leaving my skimmer soaking in dish soap water for the night would be good.... I want to go to sleep haha

 

Ummm dish soap can be problematic as it will leave residue I know you said you wanted to clean it but if any amount is left it could be very bad. I'd say using vinegar would be the better choice because washing it off is much easier and a good soak will break up most crud. Use an old tooth brush to get any persistent gunk and you should be good.

 

As for a surface skimmer this is a unit that might work a little better as it has a floating piece that keeps it on the surface but I don't know how we'll it will work with a protean skimmer. Your tube devise might work but if the water drops below the opening you might be in trouble. If your going to super glue it make sure it's gel based and fully dried before you place it in the tank.

But don't take me on all this it's just my opinion.

 

yea but i cant hook that up to my skimmer. What happens to the by product?

So your saying if the water in the skimmer drops below the opening of the surface tube id be in trouble? Whys that?

 

If the water drops below the intake of the tube it will suck air and run dry causing the pump to burn out.those cheap surface skimmers that float can and will work...depending on flow rate of the pump you may need 2 with a a y adapter

 

clean anything for your tank in vinegar for future reference...

as far as surface skimming...is your tank drilled, this is what overflows help out with, taking the dirty top water and pushing it down to your sump and getting skimmed out by skimmer...

 

nope tank isnt drilled. I decided that until i upgrade tank sizes i probably wont bother with a sump.

Question in general: which is more reliable, a HOB overflow to the sump, or a drilled tank thats gravity fed?

 

I prefer the kind of tank that has those black barriers with slits near the top, the water flows through them then down to the sump then is pumped back in to the tank. with these as long as your sump is big enough if the power to the pump dies you wont flood the house because the water stops when it cant go over the openings.

 

A drilled tank is without a doubt better than a siphon. Only reason to go with a siphon is if you already have the tank and can't drill it, but still want to add a dump.

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