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Tom Aquatics Aquarium Surface Skimmer
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Tom Aquatics Aquarium Surface Skimmer

In stock: Buy now and your order will ship the next business day

Item #: OE1138

MSRP: $14.99 Save: $3.00 (20%)
$11.99
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Quick Overview

Make sure that your tank is constantly filled with water that is always filtered with the powerful Tom Aquatics Aquarium Surface Skimmer from Pet Store . This comes in a small, compact body that can fit inside any size of aquariu...

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Product Description
Reviews

Tom Aquatics Aquarium Surface Skimmer Information



Make sure that your tank is constantly filled with water that is always filtered with the powerful Tom Aquatics Aquarium Surface Skimmer from Pet Store. This comes in a small, compact body that can fit inside any size of aquarium without taking up too much space. It is equipped with its own hose and valves that will help you control the quantity of water that will be filtered thoroughly and frequently. It can be mounted on a platform that is fitted with suction cups.

The product’s primary responsibility is to eliminate any trace of elements and organic substances from your water. It also has the added ability of removing solid particles and impurities by simply filtering the liquid with poly fiber foams. It effectively disposes of nitrate, phosphate, and ammonia. It operates silently, and it works well with other cleaning agents and systems of different brands. Best of all, it provides your aquatic inhabitants with a healthy environment by guaranteeing a steady flow of oxygen throughout your entire tank.

Your aquatic inhabitants will appreciate the powerful and quiet cleaning operation of the Tom Aquatics Aquarium Surface Skimmer. With this product on hand, your friends will soon experience a new kind of environment that they will instantly love.

Features:
  • Removes dissolved organics from the surface and increases gas exchange
  • Can be used with canister filters, power filters and in-hood filtration
  • Prevents undesirable biological processes that take place on the surface
  • Helps improve exchange of oxygen
Includes:
  • Flow Control Valve
  • 360 Degree Intake Float
  • Suction-cup Holder
  • Flexible Hose

Specifications

What's in the Box

Warranty

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Tom Aquatics Aquarium Surface Skimmer Reviews

"Perfect" - Product Review by Oscar Abdon (Posted on 11/3/11)
Rating
Great!

Comments: A perfect addition to any filter. The only reason I didn't give it a 5 is that it was missing the hose adapters. It's easy enough to make your own though. I just cut a section of 3/4" clear flexible tubing to adapt to my Aquaclear 50. Also, the flow adjuster tends to get stuck over time. I used aquarium safe silicone grease on the threads and now it works like a charm.

Do you find this review helpful?  Yes No
"It Works!!!" - Product Review by Hieu Nguyen (Posted on 4/15/11)
Rating
Great!

Comments: I have this yucky oily film on surface of my planted tank. Fish wouldn't come up to surface to eat with this oily film floating around. Read reviews on here and decided to give this skimmer a try. It does work as advertised. After playing with the flow control (the stick) for about 5 mins water started flushing into the skimmer and my surface was clear as crystal after 15 mins. However, the flexible hose could use some upgrade aesthetically. You can improvise your own hose to make it look a bit better. Overall, very impressed with the product since it does serve its purpose for under $10.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful, did you? Yes No
"AYGUGI" - Product Review by Aaron Polson (Posted on 2/16/11)
Rating
Great!

Comments: I think that this product works really well. Especially with a canister filter. It does skim the surface, but you have to tweak it in order for it to work.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful, did you? Yes No
"This needs 6 stars" - Product Review by Chris Miller (Posted on 9/28/10)
Rating
Excellent!

Comments: I got this yesterday and within 5 minutes of adjusting the flow the whole surface was clean. I don't know why people complain about size, it is about 14-16" tall and about 3" in diameter. I am using it in just a standard 29 gallon tank that is in a room with limited space with an aquaclear 50 that I use for running some media. For this price it blows all other surface skimmers out of the water. I am thinking about using this with other larger reef tanks.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful, did you? Yes No
"Worth it!" - Product Review by Cody Pellerin (Posted on 5/19/10)
Rating
Excellent!

Comments: To the people who gave it one star, learn how to mod! or get a simple hose clamp. I was getting lots of bubbles and a thick film from my 55 gallon. I have pressurized Co2 and do weekly water changes of 20%. I had even tried using pumps near the surface for getting the film off but this raised the PH. After installing this within 5 minutes I could see the water on the surface moving toward the skimmer. 4 days later I have never had the surface of my water this clear. This product works with my Eheim canister filter PERFECTLY! I would have paid well over 20 bucks for this.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful, did you? Yes No
"Works really well." - Product Review by Axel Muehlig (Posted on 5/2/10)
Rating
Excellent!

Comments: Works well - great value for the money.

Do you find this review helpful?  Yes No
"Very bulky" - Product Review by Brian Amato (Posted on 4/27/10)
Rating
Average

Comments: Does the unit work?... yes. Is it fairly priced? Yes. Is it absolutely huge? Yes. I couldn't imagine using this in any tank under 30 gallons. It's a complete eyesore..

Do you find this review helpful?  Yes No
"Great little product" - Product Review by Claudio Cantu (Posted on 4/11/10)
Rating
Excellent!

Comments: This is a great little surface skimmer. I'm using it on a fluval canister filter and it cleared up the surface of my tank in no time. Well worth the price. I'm extremely happy with this purchase.

Do you find this review helpful?  Yes No
"Works great" - Product Review by Ian Jungling (Posted on 2/9/10)
Rating
Great!

Comments: This thing works great, and is nearly silent. I figured I'd be hearing gurgling and sloshing, but nope.
<br />
<br />However, the hose that connects to my canister filter intake is too large. It works even with a loose fit, but I'm going to have to use a rubberband or something to make it fit better.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful, did you? Yes No
"Good product" - Product Review by Louis Winkelstein (Posted on 1/7/10)
Rating
Great!

Comments: I had to modify it use with my Ehiem cannister filter. I cut a small piece of the Ehiem hose and used it to connect to the intake pipe, which I reversed, putting the long side on the outside. Works fine. I just have to remember to turn it off at feeding time, or else the surface food gets sucked into the filter.

Do you find this review helpful?  Yes No
"Nice little skimmer" - Product Review by Ray Sundstrom (Posted on 11/20/09)
Rating
Great!

Comments: Purchased for use on a small aquarium. Compact, easy to set up, and it works! A good value at less than $10.00.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful, did you? Yes No
"Surface Skimmer" - Product Review by Bill Freer (Posted on 9/20/09)
Rating
Excellent!

Comments: I had gotten one of these a while long ago for a fluval 404 and didn't use it. I was going through some fish stuff and seen it and I hooked it up to my MJ 1200 for my AquaC Remora skimmer. my skimmer works much better than ever. should have tried this much sooner.
<br />

Do you find this review helpful?  Yes No
"0 Stars" - Product Review by Robert Gamble (Posted on 7/16/09)
Rating
Unsatisfactory

Comments: Save yourself 10 dollars and don't buy this item. The gate area that streams the water in needs modification due to the design making the bottom of the gates too high compared to the water levels and doesn't let water in. Its HUGE in your tank and an eyesore to be sure of. This thing will eat the whole corner of a 29 gallon tank. And if you are in need of this like I (thought) was then you more than likely have a small tank that won't be using a overflow box. 0 stars for poor design, 0 stars for cumbersome design.

Do you find this review helpful?  Yes No
"Excellent/necessary product" - Product Review by Todd Whited (Posted on 7/3/09)
Rating
Excellent!

Comments: I have the "fluval" version, but it looks identical to this one.
<br />
<br />I won't run my saltwater tank without this. I can't do a sump, so this is the next best thing to clearing the surface. Once adjusted, no extra air is shot back into the tank, it is practically silent for me, too.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful, did you? Yes No
"As Advertised" - Product Review by Brian Miller (Posted on 1/24/09)
Rating
Great!

Comments: Bought it to try to use on my Deltec MCE600. It works as advertised, but severely restricted the flow. But it did, however, quickly pull all the scum off the surface of the water. The small diameter bellowed pipe greatly restricts water flow.I would think it has to significantly cut down on a filter's flow. would be great if they offered this in different sizes.

Do you find this review helpful?  Yes No
"Works as advertised!" - Product Review by Alan Nix (Posted on 12/21/08)
Rating
Great!

Comments: This surface skimmer has completely removed all surface organics as advertised. It took a little time to get it set up and adjusted properly but once it was working it clean the surface quickly. I would recommend this inexpensive cure for removal of surface organics.

Do you find this review helpful?  Yes No
"Works Great!" - Product Review by Jeffrey Diem (Posted on 12/13/08)
Rating
Excellent!

Comments: I use this with a Rena XP2 in a 55g low tech planted tank. It removed the 'scummy' layer and floating debris. Highly recommended.
<br />
<br />Had a hard time adapting it in a dependable method. Instead of the flex, used the 90 degree elbow with a piece of low pressure black irrigation tubing (lowes, h.d.) to tie in to the tube pickup. Looks and works way better.

Do you find this review helpful?  Yes No
"Surface Skimmer" - Product Review by Geoffrey Go (Posted on 11/2/08)
Rating
Excellent!

Comments: Easy to use and set up. Works great! I hooked it up to my AquaC Remora protein skimmer w/maxi-jet 1200 pump. I had to use a short piece of 3/4" hose to connect the surface skimmer's hose to the intake of the maxi-jet pump. Then, I adjusted the flow control valve and within a few minutes, the surface film was gone. Works flawlessly.

7 of 11 people found this review helpful, did you? Yes No
"Tom Aquatics Aquarium Surface" - Product Review by Allan Jackson (Posted on 10/17/08)
Rating
Excellent!

Comments: Exceellent product I am going to get one for my smaller aquarium.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful, did you? Yes No
"Have fun installing it!" - Product Review by Justin Hayman (Posted on 9/11/08)
Rating
Unsatisfactory

Comments: I can't tell you how this thing works - because the attachments that are included did not fit on either one of my canister filers (I have a Rena XP3 and a Fluval FX5 wet/dry). Very frustrating - and I now have to buy a few random attachments from a hardware store. I realize this thing was inexpensive, but it feels like it's even cheaper. Not exactly what I was looking for, but what should you expect for $10 - $15?I would recommend spending a bit more for a quality protein skimmer - because that is what I am going to do if I can't find the parts I need to make up for the poor quality attachments.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful, did you? Yes No
"Highly reccommend" - Product Review by Sue Bauman (Posted on 9/5/08)
Rating
Excellent!

Comments: I installed this surface skimmer yesterday and WOW, I'm impressed with this product. Today the hazy protein scum in gone from the surface and my plants are getting more light. The cloudy film that develops on my
<br />tanks with no overflow has bugged me for years. It hooks right on to my canister uptake tube, but it can be attached to most popular hang in the back type filters that have a round uptake tube. Adjusting the flow was a bit tricky. In fact I almost gave up and said forget it...but when you hit the right adjustment it's amazing.
<br />I had to put a net over the top because I have cherry shrimp and dwarf neon rainbow hatchlings that would get sucked into the filter. But for normal sized fish it is no problem.
<br />

1 of 1 people found this review helpful, did you? Yes No
"Works perfectly!" - Product Review by Keith Berry (Posted on 8/30/08)
Rating
Excellent!

Comments: I usually make/copycat products instead of buying them because I have the skill and time to build it and cost me less than buying overpriced items. This product is worth every penny and well designed. I could not build/fabricate one for the money. It cleared the surface of my aquarium within minutes if installation. It is adjustable for intake flow from the surface and below the surface(pulls water from both areas at same time). It also self adjusts to the water level to compensate for evaporation/top off. If you dont have a overflow on your aquarium this will work very well. I am very pleased and usually am very critical of products. Awesome product for the money!

0 of 2 people found this review helpful, did you? Yes No
"quite, simple, efficient" - Product Review by Nils Loewen (Posted on 6/10/08)
Rating
Excellent!

Comments: Great to skim a 5g pico AllGlass tank, connects well to the Tom Aquatics Rapids Mini Canister Filter C-80. Both are very sturdy, the tubing is flexible and seals well. The surface skimmer can be dialed in to take in water also at the bottom so no cascading sound or slurping is audible.
<br />
<br />Set-up suggestion: black frame 5 gallon AGA tank, black Viper 70 halide, black Taihitan moon sand, HYDOR MINI HEATER 7.5W that comes on at night (no temperature control but is not needed) and a Zoo Med Micro Pump 104 for additional agitation. No heat issues even in Chicago summers. Keeps my new stony coral, old moved leather and softies much happier than in my prior 12G Aquapod.

Do you find this review helpful?  Yes No
"Very Good Value" - Product Review by Greg Ross (Posted on 5/20/08)
Rating
Excellent!

Comments: After installing the surface skimmer in my tank (100gal) The surface cleared of its film wihtin an hour. i am very pleased with this purchase. The only negative I have was the installation. Took a little bit of an effort to get it to match up with my canister filter intake, but once that was done, and the float adjusted, it worked perfectly. I would definitely say that this is a good product at a good price.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful, did you? Yes No
"Decent product" - Product Review by Mark Chweh (Posted on 5/2/08)
Rating
Great!

Comments: I've used this in two different tanks with two different filters. Worked great on the higher flow filter (170+ gph flow) but not so great on the lower flow filter(100 gph flow).
<br />
<br />It does what it says and is easy to setup, but on the lower powered filter had to adjust the device such that intake from the underwater portion wasn't that great.
<br />
<br />The ribbed hose is ugly as sin and I'd suggest getting tubing or fittings to replace it. Since it slides right off, it's not a big deal to do and either way works fine.
<br />
<br />Since the price is so low, a little "tinkering" to make it "more attractive" isn't really a draw back.
<br />

Do you find this review helpful?  Yes No
"surface skimmer (a pain)" - Product Review by John Hoof (Posted on 2/26/08)
Rating
Below Average

Comments: well i dont notice much of a difference to the surface of the water in either of my tanks! and its adding adding alot of air into my fluval canister filters!

3 of 5 people found this review helpful, did you? Yes No
"Easy Surface Skimmer!" - Product Review by Keith Neilson (Posted on 1/17/08)
Rating
Excellent!

Comments: This is a great addition to a nano or mini reef using a power filter or the Nano Skimmer from Rio. Recommend this as it is the same as the AquaClear 'brand' surface skimmer you can find.
<br />
<br />Take is brighter due to no surface waste interfering with the lights.

Do you find this review helpful?  Yes No
"Would not fit my power filter." - Product Review by Paul Kinsella (Posted on 12/28/07)
Rating
Below Average

Comments: It claimed that it would fit to all hanging type filters and it would not fit mine. I was not able to run it to test it. I rated it below average only because it did not comple to their claim. I will just purchase a new power filter with a built in surface skimmer rather than try this product.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful, did you? Yes No
"Surface Kimmer" - Product Review by David Lee (Posted on 12/26/07)
Rating
Excellent!

Comments: I hooked up the surface skimmer to my Remora protein skimmer with the Maxi Jet 1200. The length of the surface skimmer is too long to line up with the in-take of the Maxi Jet 1200. I cut about 2 inches off the surface skimmer so that it lines up with the in-take of the Maxi Jet 1200. After that, the in-take of the Maxi Jet 1200 connected perfectly into the surface skimmer. The Surface Skimmer is very easy to use. It is working great.

Do you find this review helpful?  Yes No
"Great Product" - Product Review by Brian Angel (Posted on 12/25/07)
Rating
Excellent!

Comments: This is a great product for the money, once you have it setup it will clean just the surface of your water, clearing that oily looking layer quickly leaving you crystal clear water for better light penetration and O2 exchange.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful, did you? Yes No
"Excellent" - Product Review by Michael Flores (Posted on 12/7/07)
Rating
Excellent!

Comments: An excellent product! Had to modify a bit so that it would connect to my Eheim 2215, but once setup the surface was completely skimmed within 10 minutes! This unit works! Tank is a 65gal, african cichlids.

Do you find this review helpful?  Yes No
"Works Great" - Product Review by Brad Blythe (Posted on 12/5/07)
Rating
Excellent!

Comments: I bought this after seeing a friend using a surface skimmer. I have had problems since my UV sterilizer died with surface film, regardless of the amount of agitation I had at the surface. Within a few hours of installation and setup (which was easy, just turn the rod to increase/decrease surface draw) the surface of my 75g was nice and clear. Overall, a great product at a great price.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful, did you? Yes No
"Not so much" - Product Review by Donovan Gilbuena (Posted on 9/21/07)
Rating
Below Average

Comments: I prefer the overflow box over this.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful, did you? Yes No
"It works" - Product Review by Mark Snyder (Posted on 8/11/07)
Rating
Excellent!

Comments: Purchased this to replace the skimmer on my AquaC Remora. Using it on my 75gal saltwater tank. While this unit is designed more for filter units that protein skimmers, it works. Does not take up a lot of space in my tank. I had to make my own connections from the skimmer to my pump, as the included connections are not designed for this purpose, but that was easy enough to do.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful, did you? Yes No