- True hands-off reliability : the self-adjusting flow-control weir responds automatically to changing flow rates — no guesswork, no downtime.
- Covers large surfaces: creates a floating waterfall that skims oil, algae, foam, scum, plastics — even fly ash — across wide or scattered water areas.
- Works with the right pumps: designed for vac trucks and performs best with AOD (air diaphragm) or progressive cavity pumps. Not recommended for centrifugal or impeller-type pumps, which can turn oil and water into a slurry.
- One moving part — no maintenance headaches: just a durable fabric or stainless steel hinge; no motors, no electronics. Serious industrial quality.
- Battle-tested, USA-made design: proven for over 30 years in demanding operations across major industries and trusted by the U.S. government for reliable, field-tested performance.
- Rated to 600°F (315°C) across stainless models — built for demanding industrial environments.
IN STOCK. READY TO SHIP. PROBLEM SOLVED.
Stop paying for waste hauling and downtime — our industrial-grade floating surface skimmers and decanters are ready to go. No 12-week lead times. No waiting for backorders.
Floating Weir Skimmer Features
Industrial-Grade, Hands-Off Surface Skimmer & Decanter – Reliable Oil & Debris Removal. The Floating Weir Skimmer (FWS) delivers automatic, self-adjusting surface skimming for oil and floating debris. With only one moving part — the self-leveling weir — it adapts to changing water levels and pump flow rates for continuous, efficient operation without manual adjustment. Built for industrial and environmental applications, it’s simple, durable, and proven in over 30 years of demanding operations.
01
DESIGN & DURABILITY
- Self-leveling weir: automatically adjusts to water level changes and pump flow rates for consistent surface skimming.
- Rugged construction: USA-made, stainless steel or industrial polymer components ensure long-term durability and minimal maintenance.
- Debris management: built-in screens and a hinged weir capture floating trash, scum, algae, and other debris while preventing clogs.
- Proven track record: battle-tested for over 30 years across major industries, including government and industrial operations.
02
PERFORMANCE
- Covers large surfaces: creates a floating waterfall effect, capturing oil, algae, foam, plastics, fly ash, and other surface contaminants.
- Compatible with pumps: works with vac trucks, AOD, or progressive cavity pumps for effective skimming; not recommended for centrifugal pumps.
- Adjustable skim thickness: 1/8″ to 2″ for the core series, and up to 4″ on the largest A3204/A3208 models — controlled automatically by pump flow rate.
- Versatile applications: suitable for tanks, pits, ponds, lakes, rivers, moon pools, and other water impoundments.
03
INSTALLATION
Simple deployment: lightweight, compact design works with any pump capable of pulling suction, or by gravity draining.
Self-adjusting operation: the Floating Weir Skimmer (FWS) is automatically self-adjusting and flow-controlled. All skim adjustments are made at the pump by simply increasing or decreasing flow rate — no manual weir adjustment required.
Minimum water depth: the FWS can be floated for operation in as little as 1.5 ft (18 inches) of water. For setup, the skimmer should initially float flat on the surface until the suction hose is connected.
Hose connection: the FWS features a rear horizontal outlet for connecting to the suction hose (by others). The hose outlet must remain well below the water surface at all times to maintain flooded suction.
Proper skimmer attitude: for correct operation, the skimmer must be installed with the front (weir) end tilted downward approximately 10–12 degrees. This is the optimal position for automatic self-adjusting performance. To achieve this:
The weight of the suction hose must be offset using support suspension or additional flotation. Extra flotation should raise the rear of the skimmer 1–2 inches, creating the required front-down angle. Additional hose or back floats are typically positioned 6 inches to 2 feet behind the skimmer. If the front of the skimmer is out of the water, the unit is not skimming.
Final float adjustment: before tightening any floats, ensure the suction hose and skimmer sump are completely filled with water. Slide the floats until the rear is raised and the correct front-down tilt is achieved, then secure them in place.
Priming & air removal: all air must be purged from the suction hose to fully prime the system. Back-flushing water up the hose and out through the skimmer will clear air-lock if it occurs.
Flexible setups: can be used standalone, with vac trucks, or incorporated into custom-engineered systems using pumps, hoses, swingarms, or manifolds.
WHY THE FLOATING WEIR SKIMMER MATTERS
The Floating Weir Skimmer is an industrial-grade solution for hands-off surface skimming and debris removal. Its self-leveling weir automatically adjusts to changing water levels, pump flow rates, and surface conditions, giving you continuous, reliable operation with minimal maintenance. Designed to handle oil, debris, algae, plastics, scum, and other floating materials, it works in tanks, ponds, lakes, rivers, or even moon pools. With only one moving part and proven durability, this skimmer helps you recover valuable materials efficiently, reduces disposal costs, and keeps your operations running smoothly. Simple, rugged, and effective — just equipment that solves your problems.
Product Overview
The Floating Weir Skimmer (FWS) is a simple, well-proven industrial oil skimmer or surface decanter that works with any pump that can pull suction. The FWS is automatically self-adjusting and flow-controlled, meaning that by controlling your pump’s flow rate, you can adjust the skim or cut coming off the surface from 1/8″ to 2″ (up to 4″ on the largest models) automatically.
The FWS never needs manual adjustment — EVER!
Applications
Machine coolant sumps, parts wash tanks, above-ground storage tanks
Oil/water separators, wastewater intake, treatment, and discharge
Lift stations, equalization tanks, storage tanks up to 20,000 gallons
Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBRs), flocculant tanks, settling ponds
Wastewater clarifiers, leachate ponds
Oil and other VOC spill recovery, pollution control and remediation
Surface water remediation, duckweed and nurdle removal
Fly ash dewatering, moon pool oil recovery on oil rigs
Compatible with vacuum trucks
Sizing Support
Which one do I need?
With 11 different standard sizes, we can help you get the right skimmer for your specific job. It’s important NOT to size the FWS based simply on flow rate or range — let’s size it for exactly what you’re looking to get done and the surface area you want to influence. We’ve been doing this for 35+ years. We can help. Let’s get it right — ask!
Notes:
- All skimmers can be furnished as complete systems with pumps and hoses.
- All metal skimmers can be built in exotic alloys of your choice for corrosion resistance.
Specs & Brochures
11 standard models covering 2 to 525 GPM in stainless steel and ABS industrial polymer. All stainless models rated to 600°F (315°C).
| Model (Material) | Flow Rate (Max) | Outlet (Camlock) | Weir Width | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FWS00A56 (Stainless) | 2–10 GPM | 1" | 4" | 9" × 7" × 4.5" | 6 lbs |
| FWS00A32 (ABS) | 5–58 GPM | 1.5" | 8" | 20" × 12" × 6" | 8 lbs |
| FWS00A52 (Stainless) | 5–38 GPM | 1.5" | 7" | 21" × 15.5" × 10.62" | 21 lbs |
| FWS00A34 (ABS) | 5–95 GPM | 2" rear / 1.5" top | 12" | 28" × 21" × 8.25" | 17 lbs |
| FWS00A54 (Stainless) | 5–68 GPM | 2" | 12" | 27" × 19" × 10" | 31 lbs |
| FWS00A381 (ABS) | 10–420 GPM | 3" rear / 1.5" top | 23" | 33" × 22" × 12" | 27 lbs |
| FWS00A581 (Stainless) | 10–300 GPM | 3" | 22.5" | 43" × 30.5" × 13" | 57 lbs |
| FWS00A811 (Stainless) | 10–525 GPM | 4" | 40" | 55.5" × 30.5" × 11" | 78 lbs |
| FWS00A3204 (ABS) | 10–500 GPM | 4" | 35" | 42" × 38" × 18" | 75 lbs |
| FWS00A3206 (ABS) | 10–1,200 GPM | 6" | 35" | 42" × 38" × 18" | 75 lbs |
| FWS00A3208 (ABS) | 10–1,200 GPM | 8" | 35" | 42" × 38" × 18" | 75 lbs |
How It Works
This skimmer starts off with the sump filled with water and/or oil, which floats the weir to the closed position. As fluid is pumped from the skimmer sump, the buoyant flow-control weir automatically self-adjusts (drops) allowing an equal amount of fluid to flow across the weir and into the floating skimmer head. It’s so simple yet very effective. It always skims the surface, always! Works with any pump that can pull suction.
Simple Design. Serious Results.
- Simple, effective surface skimmer.
- Only one moving part — the weir hinge!
- No manual adjustment needed — ever!
- Control it from your pump.
- Easy operation — lightweight and compact.
- Works with any pump that can pull suction.
- Industrial and spill-recovery skimmers.
Options, Controls & Accessories
All FWS have rear (horizontal) male camlock couplers. The ABS skimmers (FWS00A34 and FWS00A381) also have a top (vertical) 1.5″ outlet that makes skimming easier when working the skimmer from above. The optional controller package (extension pole set) with suction wand hooks right to the top outlet and lets you move the FWS right into the oil with the extension. The controller package hooks right to your pump suction and the suction valve is in your hands.
In-Tank Applications & Hose Management
Sometimes the hardest part of skimming — especially in closed-top tanks — is getting the skimmer to follow the vertical travel that changing water levels present. Our floating weir skimmers are great inside closed tanks simply because they have only one moving part: the hinged weir. We like simple. Hose deployments work great in most (but not all) applications. All three core FWS series — A32/A52, A34/A54, and A381/A581 — are designed to fit through a standard 24″ man-way access, making them ideal for in-tank deployment where access is tight. If you have a lot of hose hanging on the back of the FWS, you have to counteract that weight with more flotation. We can help with special back and hose floats.
Swingarm System for Enclosed Tanks
The Swingarm System is a hard-piped skimmer drain system to replace hoses. The Swingarm can have swivels on it to allow the skimmer to follow the water level and keep it in the desired position. Swingarms cost more, but if you need reliability and an almost bulletproof installation, this is the way to go. For closed-top tanks with vertical travel to follow, we always prefer the Swingarm. It’s almost Bubba-proof and dead reliable.
Custom Engineered Systems
We build systems to specifically address your problem using our specialty, existing, unique, and innovative industrial technologies — equipment that can be used off the shelf or modified, configured, or packaged to fit your specific needs.
Give SkimOIL® a call and let us build a system for your application! (Pictured: FWS00A381 × 3 with a custom-made 8″ manifold to achieve 900 GPM flow rate for dewatering an ash pond.)
Bonus Use Cases: Duckweed, Nurdles, Algae Removal
Duckweed or water meal can be removed with the Floating Weir Skimmer (FWS). We find the largest skimmers (Model #FWS00A381 pictured left) are most effective. The FWS can also be used for Nurdles removal.
Coming Soon: FWSM Modular Skimmer System
SkimOIL ® ‘s newest Floating Weir Skimmer Module (FWSM) is almost ready. With the modular inflatable or universal Pontoon flotation system, changing the floating weir skimmer with the adjustable flotation module and self-adjusting removable automatic weir and sump assembly is a game changer for our industry. We’ve got it NOW!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Floating Weir Skimmer (FWS)?
The FWS is an industrial-grade floating surface skimmer and decanter designed for hands-off oil and debris removal. With only one moving part—the self-leveling weir—it automatically adjusts to changing water levels and pump flow rates, requiring no manual adjustment.
What can the FWS remove from water surfaces?
This skimmer is highly versatile and removes floating oils, algae, foam, scum, plastics, fly ash, duckweed, nurdles, and other flowable surface debris from tanks, ponds, lakes, rivers, pits, and even moon pools on oil rigs.
How does it work and what pumps are compatible?
The FWS creates a floating waterfall that attracts surface materials into its weir and sump. It works best with vacuum trucks, AOD (air diaphragm), or progressive cavity pumps. Centrifugal or impeller-type pumps are not recommended, as they can emulsify oil and water.
How do I choose the right size FWS for my application?
We offer eleven standard sizes, and sizing is based on the surface area you want to influence rather than just flow rate. Our team can help select the right skimmer for your specific needs and even provide custom-engineered systems for unique applications.
What maintenance is required for the FWS?
Maintenance is minimal. With only one moving part, there are no motors or electronics to fail. Periodically empty the sump and check for debris. Optional accessories like Swingarm Systems or modular flotation units can further simplify operation in tanks or areas with vertical water level changes.