also (i'm speaking from experience, went through 4 skimmers in 3 years) there are mannnyy ways to cut corners and save money, i got a sea clone when in was in college so i could get my first order of cleaners, bad idea 3 skimmers later...
cut a long story short skimming is not the way to save money. I see your either new to this forum or this lifestyle...but it's one thing that anyone with experience will all agree on, get/build a good skimmer. spend the extra money...it's worth it in the long run.