markviiisvt4
New member
I know the DIY HOB fuge has been done before, but Idont' think this quick and cheep. Every one either has or knows some one that has a few of these sitting around. Some one gave me two of them that I took home and tossed in a box till yesterday. My main fuge is in the basement, and Iwas concerned that there wheren't enough pods gettin through all the plumbing to my DT. I have 3 fish that eat them (six line manderin and pearlscale butterfly), but I didnt' want a basket or anythign in my tank. The answer was a small HOB, so this is what I did. Super quick and super simple.
Heres what we start with. The humble Skilter Skimmer.
Remove the collection cup, siphon tube, reaction chamber, impeller housing, impeller, and filter pad housing. All you should have left is the main body that should look like this.
cut a piece of egg crate (Iknow you have some laying around) that fits into the slots for the fliter pad housing. About 4"X6" to start. It will take a little trimming and test fitting since the main body tapers towards the bottom. Once it fits just slide it into place.
now take the impeller and cut 2 blades off of it. This is what worked best for me, you can also cut a little off of all 4 blades, or a combination of both to get the flow you want. Just take your time unless you have a few sitting around to mess with, Its really hard to put them back together. lol.
Next take the impeller housing and cut the round nipple off that went into the reaction chamber. Now put the pump back in the main body, put the impeller and impeller housing back in the pump. Make sure the outlet of the impeller housing is facing the opposite of stock like in the pic.
Put the riser tube back on and presto a HOB fuge for dirt cheep.
Heres what we start with. The humble Skilter Skimmer.
Remove the collection cup, siphon tube, reaction chamber, impeller housing, impeller, and filter pad housing. All you should have left is the main body that should look like this.
cut a piece of egg crate (Iknow you have some laying around) that fits into the slots for the fliter pad housing. About 4"X6" to start. It will take a little trimming and test fitting since the main body tapers towards the bottom. Once it fits just slide it into place.
now take the impeller and cut 2 blades off of it. This is what worked best for me, you can also cut a little off of all 4 blades, or a combination of both to get the flow you want. Just take your time unless you have a few sitting around to mess with, Its really hard to put them back together. lol.
Next take the impeller housing and cut the round nipple off that went into the reaction chamber. Now put the pump back in the main body, put the impeller and impeller housing back in the pump. Make sure the outlet of the impeller housing is facing the opposite of stock like in the pic.
Put the riser tube back on and presto a HOB fuge for dirt cheep.
