Surface Skimmers

Find Surface Skimmers for your Aquarium

Surface skimmers are used as a kind of prefilter in aquariums. The water in the aquarium is an important factor in the health of your aquatic pets and should not be allowed to get crowded with dirt. Aquarium surface skimmers are mostly used by aquascapers for planted aquariums. Beyond the beauty they add to the aquarium, they get rid of the grease that often accumulates from the leftovers of fish food.

Surface skimmers can be used both in freshwater and saltwater aquariums, and they act as an internal filter. When fixing them in your fish tank, they are placed upside down, allowing them to suck the debris, dirt, slime, oils, and other substances from the surface of the water. After sucking in the debris, the water is pumped back in from the lower part of the device, allowing some underwater activity and improving gas exchange in your aquarium.

Oil films floating in the aquarium can compromise the health of your fish and aquatic plants. You must therefore ensure that when choosing a surface skimmer for your aquarium, you choose one that can steadily get rid of the grease. There are Hang-On-Back (HOB) skimmers, which may be considered ideal for small tanks. There are in-sump skimmers, which are better options for the medium to larger tanks, and there are also external surface skimmers to choose from. When buying a skimmer, you must consider your tank size and setup and pick one that works well for it.

A lot of online reviews will show you that some are complicated to set up, so you want to ensure that you select the easy-to-install options with a good flow rate and great aesthetics. AquaEL SAS Filter 500, for instance, has adjustable performance that makes it great for different sizes of aquariums with small and large water surface areas. The Juwel EccoSkim Surface Skimmer is also a good option with high surface suction performance, even with its compact design and low power consumption.

When you buy a surface skimmer, don’t be in a rush to set it up without reading the manual to get key information. Also, keep in mind that a surface skimmer is not expected to run for 24 hours. If you make this mistake, it can end up sucking in your fish food and leaving the fish to go hungry. Ensure to put on your surface skimmer hours after the scheduled feeding, allowing the fish to eat before the water is cleaned up ahead of the next feeding. You should also choose the right location, away from your filter outputs and direct sunlight. Ensure that the inlet hose sits below the water surface, and adjust the water level according to the skimmer specifications to get optimal results. You should also test the setup and observe for any leaks or issues before leaving it to run.

Using surface skimmers in your aquarium reduces the risk of diseases for your fish and aquatic plants, and promotes clean flowing water without any offensive smell in your space. Explore our collection of surface skimmers and find what works best for your aquarium setup.

FAQs About Aquarium Surface Skimmers

(1) Is a surface skimmer necessary for my aquarium?

Surface skimmers are especially needed when you use an open tank/aquarium that is regularly exposed to dirt and dust. Even if this is not the case, a routine like trimming the plants in your aquarium can generate some floating stems or leaves, which are best cleaned with the surface skimmers. If you also have a large number of fish in your aquarium, it becomes more important to get a surface skimmer as you could have more waste and uneaten food floating around.

(2) How does an aquarium surface skimmer help to keep the water clean and clear?

A surface skimmer is critical to keeping your aquarium water clean and clear. It gets rid of the debris and organic waste, and improves the water quality to promote a healthier environment for the fish and plants. The surface skimmer uses an impeller to suck in water from the surface of the aquarium, easily catching all the floating oil films, slime, and debris. It cleans up the water and releases it back inside.

(3) Do I need a surface skimmer even if I have a filter in my aquarium?

Yes, you do. As mentioned earlier, a surface skimmer is more of a pre-filter and does not detract from the work of a water filter, even though they serve complementary purposes. A surface skimmer focuses on removing oil film and other surface debris to allow for water clarity, improve gas exchange, and allow water to get to the aquatic plants. On the other hand, a water filter takes care of a broader range of waste, including dissolved compounds. It also carries out mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration to restore the water to the optimal composition.

(4) Can I use a surface skimmer if I have floating plants?

Yes, you can. However, you must place the floating plants strategically away from the skimmer to avoid getting sucked in. For instance, the floating plants can be around the edges of the pond, or in or around lily pads. That way, they will not be sucked in by the impeller.

(5) Why is there an oil film on the surface of my aquarium water?

Oil film often occurs in stagnant water bodies, and is an indication that there is an imbalance in water conditions. They come from fish waste and the uneaten fish food, which dissolves into the water, releasing its oils and proteins. Fish poop also contains some oils and thus pollutes the water. Aquarium surface skimmers are the first option to get rid of oil films in your aquariums.

(6) Can the surface skimmer suck in some of my small fish?

There are sponge pre-filters built into the surface skimmer to prevent small fish and shrimp from getting sucked in. However, even if they do get sucked in, you can easily tilt the filter sleeve over to release them back into the aquarium.

(7) How do I maintain my aquarium surface skimmer?

The first step is to ensure that you install it correctly. Once that is achieved, you can focus on ensuring regular cleaning of the components and monitoring the performance to see when something goes off. If you start seeing unsightly dross accumulated on your water surface, it may be time to clean the surface skimmer as a clogged skimmer cannot function optimally. Pay attention when cleaning the sponge in the filter.

(8) How often should I clean the aquarium surface skimmer?

Once every week should be fine if you are using the right surface skimmer for your aquarium. To clean the skimmer components, use a soft brush and warm water to get the algae and debris out of the intake and the outlet. This should keep your skimmer functioning optimally, but also inspect the impellers and pumps monthly and replace any part that needs to be changed. The filter media, for instance, may need to be changed every month or bi-monthly.