Most powerhead based protein skimmers, like the Knop, CPR BakPak, and other similar devices using the Rio 600 or 800 RVT powerhead don't give you control of bubble size, so you control your skimmate’s dryness only by adjusting water height (or in some cases not at all). Putting an airline control valve on the end of the airline input will allow you to increase the efficiency of these skimmers significantly by adjusting the bubble size. These skimmers can be further improved by replacing the Rio all together with a Maxijet of comparable GPH and using the Maxijet Turbo Venturi Kit (the equivalent of the RVT add-on for the Rios, available for about $4.00 over the cost of the maxijet alone). The purpose of the Turbo Venturi Kit, like the RVT plate on the Rios is to move the venturi air intake from the water outlet to the water inlet, causing the bubbles to get chopped up in the impellor for a smaller more uniform bubble size. Combining the upgrade from the Rio with RVT included with most inexpensive hang-on skimmers to the Maxijet with Turbo Venturi Kit, and adding an airline control valve to further control bubble size makes these skimmers capable of handling most skimming jobs. Tip submitted by: Rick Dickens

For those aquarists using a sump with an external pump, there is a simple way to keep your return pump from "slurping" air when your sump water level gets low. If your sump is drilled and uses a bulkhead plumbed to the inlet of your return pump, check the bulkhead and determine if it is a threaded or slip fitting. Ask your local plumbing supply house for a 90 degree "Street Elbow" either threaded or slip - whichever applies. This elbow will slide or screw into the inside of the bulkhead in your sump. Simply point the elbow down to create a "siphon" on your return pump intake. You won't have to worry about any more slurping and you can run your sump level much lower if you desire. Tip submitted by: James Wiseman

Following up on the hot tip about sump return plumbing - here is a tip to protect your pumps in the event of a sump overflow or other flood. Before drilling your sump, cut a small length of 2x4 timber and put this under your external return pump(s). Put a piece of neoprene (from a mousepad) in between the pump(s) and the wood. Put the inlet of the return up against the sump and use a permanent marker to mark the center of the pump inlet. This is the center of the hole that needs to be drilled in your sump. This simple tip will "take the guessowork" out of your sump drilling, protect your pump in a flood by elevating it off the floor, and it will also reduce noise due to pump vibration. Submitted by James Wiseman

One way of removing a fish from a tank is to take a standard fish net, square wire frame type, remove the netting from the frame and replace it with a plastic fish bag, like the ones pet shops use to bag fish.The refractive index of the plastic is about that of seawater, so the fish don't see it, whereas they see the white green or blue nets. For different size frames, just use differrent size plastic bags. This is how I used to train pet shop employees how to catch fish. Tip submitted by: Bill Wing