Aquarium fish keeping has always been considered an very pleasant and fulfilling hobby. This fun and irresistible activity is becoming increasingly popular among the American public. If you love to keep fish as pets, then learning to look after your fish tank or pond is of supreme importance for the well-being and contentment of your fish. Running a protein skimmer is one aspect of tank maintenance that must never be disregarded.
A protein skimmer is a filtration device that removes unwanted proteins and other organic impurities present in the water before they start rotting to form bad and toxic nitrogenous waste like ammonia and nitrite. Skimmers are rather uncomplicated in design – it comprises of a glass chamber to hold a column of water, a bubble generator and a waste collection cup.
Why Use a Protein Skimmer?
When a skimmer is turned on, streams of bubbles from a bubble generator are injected into the water column to produce a huge water/air interface. This interface attracts most of the unwanted organic molecules due to their hydrophobic (water-repelling) nature. This accumulation of organic waste continues till the water/air interface gets saturated and foam formation starts. The foam carries the collected waste to the top of the water column, where it gets transferred into a waste collection cup and removed by emptying the cup. Therefore, a protein skimmer is also known as a foam filtrator.
What a Protein Skimmer Does
In addition to getting rid of organic wastes and impurities from the water, a protein skimmer also does the following:
- Remove some inorganic impurities like phosphates.
- Remove any toxins released by corals or invertebrates present in the aquarium.
- Lessen the load on the biological filter.
- Restricts algae build-up and removes bacteria.
- Increases the oxygen level in the water.
Nonetheless, it may also remove natural food sources like plankton and trace elements like iodine, which are essential for reef aquariums.
How to Use a Protein Skimmer?
Positioning is the one of primary factors while using a protein skimmer. For maximum efficiency, it should be the first device in the filtration system. It can be placed inside the tank if space allows or outsidethe tank. Remember, for your protein skimmer to work steadily, you need to maintain it from time to time – the bigger the collection cup, less frequent the cleaning. A tiny collection cup may require emptying on a daily basis.
How to Select a Good Protein Skimmer?
Firstly, you have to decide on its placement. Secondly, think about how much effort you are willing to invest on its maintenance. Most importantly, how much money you are willing to invest and whether you want any accessories like an ozonizer. Protein skimmers are available in a broad range of designs, sizes and prices – the more costly ones require less maintenance and are easier to install. Whatever the case, try to purchase a protein skimmer with a large collection cup. Also remember, the more powerful the bubble generator, the more efficient is the protein skimmer.
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John Roberts is the webmaster of
PondCreation101.com. Visit his site for more free tips on how to create your very own pond in your garden.
