Would yall Like to know how I skim the surface of my tank's water? I took end of the air tube that leads to my protein skimmer pump, and I mounted it to the inside of the aquarium in a way in which it sucks the surface of the water, AND air at the same time. The end of the tube is set sideways so half of it is in the water, and the other half is in the air. To get the perfect water/air ratio, you just raise or lower the end of the air tube. Now, all of that nasty surface scum goes straight to my protein skimmer!!! (talk about a jerry rig)