Aquarium skimmer filters may be beneficial in tanks with little water surface agitation or tanks that experience frequent biofilms. They may also be used as a method for removing annoying duck weed from taking over the top of the water column. In this video, we show you how to construct a simple DIY surface skimmer that combines a great mechanical skimming ability with the addition of biological filtration making for an all-purpose DIY aquarium filter.

 

     Similar to the design of the powerhead filter, the surface skimmer filter is essentially the same, only placed in an upside-down orientation. The notches cut into the input of the filter attachment allows debris to be captured in the filter. As water passed through the ceramic rings, it will be biologically filtered and returned back to the aquarium. This aquarium filter is also a great way of removing the contents of a thick biofilm caused by little to no surface agitation.