Makeshift protein skimmer?

[paco83]

I have 2 of the penguin bio-wheel mini's on my 15 gallon nano tank. I would like to add the functionality of a protein skimmer to my setup but i don't really wanna drop too much money on it. Would buying an air pump, splitter 2 air blocks, and placing the airblocks at the bottom of the filters before the physical filter perform basically the same function? (obviously not quite as effective)

 

[thedogofwa]

not unless there is some means of foam seperation and collection. The filter media won't do it, the proteins will collect on the media and be redeposited into the water.