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wut does a protein skimmer do?:confused:

Originally posted by FishBait912
wut does a protein skimmer do?:confused:

Here's a copy/paste from another thread a few weeks back: The author of this explanation is Stillearnin:

short anwser - a filter,that removes organic waste a normal filter can't.

A protein skimmer is usually made in or of a tube or tower with a collection container on the top (usually removable).And a pump or an airstone (often the wood airstones) is attached to it somewhere. Designs vary alot though just like normal filters the come in models that hang on the tank,ones that hang inside a tank or models that plumb into wet/drys

A protein skimmer basically works by injecting a ton of fine bubbles into the tube (or tower) using either an air stone or a high pressure water pump or powerhead and air valve . The bubbles act as a lift in the tube floating up waste to the collection cup as foam . The foam then gets dumped out = cleaner tank

Unfortunatly they really only work on salt water,since fresh water dosn't foam well.

--Mark:cool:

Protein skimmers, use a pretty basic concept. Surface tension, the same old principle of blowing bubbles using a bit of soap, water and glycerin. OK in this case however by injecting bubbles into water, the surface tension cause's friction, which joins the dissolved organic compounds, (DOC's ) or oils ect that are to small to be filtered out to the bubble. Now they don't work well with freshwater, or at least it should be said an inexpensive system doesn't. However for a saltwater set up they work well. By removing a lot of the DOC's ect you can keep the water cleaner longer, and less water changes. One reason for water changes in a freshwater set up, is to lower the level of DOC's built up in the water. In a salt system, water changes are more expensive an issue than with freshwater. Also levels of DOC's in a salt tank are also more of a concern. Due to live rock, and corals ect ect. This is just an overview of how they work in relationship to the bubbles.