If you`re considering a DIY skimmer....

I highly recommend it. Here is a shot of what I've gotten from 2 days. After 2 days I have to clean the neck due to the thick crud coating it. I built a 6 inch pvc skimmer with a rio 1700 for a pump with a mesh mod. The collection cup is just a 1 quart plastic jar I got at the dollar store. The riser tube is 2 inch pvc. The top of the jar is too far from the top of the riser tube, so I used a piece of pvc as an extender and a small plastic lid to help direct the flow of foam into the cup. This really helped with the amount of skimmate collected. Now I'm getting this nice, dark, smelly stuff. Mmm, mmmm good!

 

Here is the skimmer I based it on.

http://www.randystacye.com/diy_needle_wheel_skimmer.htm

I will get some pics this weekend. My version is sort of thrown together, but it works fine. I am thinking of making a 3 or 4 inch version to use on my 29 gallon.

 

Yep, very similar. I originally meant to do a recirculating skimmer, but couldn't get the venturi right. This uses the Rio 'rejuvenating' venturi, like the one on the bak pak. They make larger versions for their bigger pumps.