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Why Do we
Skim?
When walking along the ocean beach, have you
ever noticed foam at the waters’ edge?
Nature has
its own protein skimmer and therefore we must try to
reproduce this effect in our own tanks.
· Effective
Protein Skimming is a MUST for all marine aquariums
· Protein
skimmers remove heavy minerals, nitrogenous wastes,
amino acids and foreign pollutants from the water column
· Increases
water quality
· Decreases
amount of time maintaining your tank
· Reduces
algae growth
· Improves
oxygen exchange
Your Protein Skimmer is one of the most
important components of your system. Choose ‘right the
first time’ for the benefit of your livestock and
your pocketbook. |
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How Do they
Work?
The action of a protein skimmer is really quite simple.
Oxygen molecules are double ended. One is hydrophilic
(loves water) the other hydrophobic (fears water). The
hydrophobic end of the molecule will bond to any substance
it can find in the water column to avoid coming in contact
with the water.
As the oxygen molecules, in the form of microbubbles, rise
to the top of the skimmer and enter the collection cup they
burst, releasing the waste collected. Effectively removing
the pollutants before they can breakdown and cause water
quality problems.
The best protein skimmers are the ones designed to create
the smallest microbubbles, while maximizing the number of
bubbles and amount of time they are in contact with the
water.
The skimmate (waste collected) should be dark brown in
colour. If your skimmate looks more like weak tea, it is
too wet and would benefit from more air input. If the
collection cup does not seem to fill, it is too dry and
would benefit from more water in the column. |
Counter
Current
These are the least expensive skimmers to
purchase and are considered old technology in the Industry.
They will cost less, but do not perform as well as other
styles. Counter current skimmers use a high powered air pump
and limewood airstone to produce a fine stream of bubbles
within a submerged chamber. Counter current are usually
mounted within the tank and require frequent maintenance.
The airstone should be replaced every 4—6 weeks to ensure
proper operation.
*Due
to poor performance and warranty returns, Aquarium Illusions
does not stock this style of skimmer |
Venturi
These skimmers can be mounted within a sump or as
hang on. Air bubbles are drawn into the chamber by a
venture siphon connected to a small powerhead or pump. The
pumps used have modified impellers (needle wheels, aspirator
wheels, etc.) to chop the bubbles as they enter the
chamber. Venturi skimmers are relatively low maintenance
and easy to work with.
 
*Aquarium
Illusions staff are pleased to offer these high quality
skimmers from AquaC, CPR, All Seas Marine, Precision Marine,
AquaMedic, and Red
Sea. |
High Speed
Aeration (HSA)
Also known as Beckett skimmers, these provide
high skim rates in small packages. Water is forced through
an injector system at a very high rate of speed, creating a
thick froth of bubbles. HSA Skimmers require large pumps,
so energy consumption is slightly higher, but they are
compact and easy to incorporate into tight spaces. HSA
skimmers can be run in sump or inline.
*Aquarium
Illusions carries several sizes of HSA skimmers from
Precision Marine and AquaC. |
