Algae scrubber vs protein skimmer

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talal101

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 29, 2011
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alberta
I am still in the phase of research and just recently i learned that there is something called an algae scrubber and that it has the same function as a protein skimmer. How does and algae scrubber work, which is better? And which is cheaper?.
Thanks
 
Not really doing the same thing. A pt skimmer is a much better way of stepping up your filtration. A pt skimmer is a mechanical filter, physically pulling junk from the water by acting as a flocculant before that junk can break down into ammonia.

The algae scrubbed is pulling nitrate out of the water as a function of the plants growing.

Both are designed to aid in the nitrogen cycle, but the pt skimmer will get a LOT more junk out.
 
Oh Ok I get it now. That must be why I hear so much about PT skimmers and so liitle about the scrubbers. Any ideas on what a good price should be for a 65 gallon aquarium PT skimmer?.
 
I think that there are 2 schools of thought on this. one is the protein skimmer side that believes exactly what ZooDiver stated above. The other side of the coin says that an algae scrubber of sufficient size and adequate lighting provides better nutrient export, more food for the tank, and better overall health.

Personally, I'm on the fence. part of me wants to try a properly sized algae skimmer, but part of me doesn't want to part from the Super Reef Octopus in my sump. Who knows...
 
you know i think its much simpler to use a pt skimmer because its completely assembled and for the most part it's known to work so instead of wasting time, and resources im just going to stay with the proven method of pt skimming until algae scrubber technology is improved.
 
Or use a multi - stage sump and do both, skimmers are not gonna eat nitrates and phosphates like algae, just remove dissolved protiens before they get that far. An algae scrubber with lights on, while lights are off in the show tank, will also help balance PH.
 
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