Are Clarity Freshwater Protein Skimmers Effective?

[aquaventions]

Clarity www.clarity-wts.com claims their skimmer is very effective in freshwater because it's set-up differently than conventional skimmers. I have been unable to verify their claims even after my e-mails to them.

Does anyone have any experience with these protein skimmers?

 

[cchhcc]

I look over the site and some of the animations and diagrams. I see no reason this would serve as a foam fractionator in fresh water. The doesn't appear to be any special way to inject air or any other method that would help foam freshwater. All in all, it seems to be a glorified wet/dry system.

As you probably know, effective foam fractionation/protein skimming is difficult to achieve in fresh water that isn't very high in salinity. Sometimes at very high waste loads you can get some benefit, but most of our tanks would never see such loads between water changes.

Perhaps someone else will look it over more closely and report in...

 

[duanes]

I use foam fractionation on my fresh water tanks, the pic below is what it removes

But I don't believe it take any special means other than the standard units. Mine is a DIY venturi model.

The above pic is when it's really ripping, if I keep up with regular water changes that is not the norm.
There are times of the year here, where fast running streams naturally fractionate, same in Lake Michigan after storms, billows of foam are washed ashore.

 

[mkman]

I too have heard that protein skimmers are ineffecient in freshwater............I know some people that are really knowledgable in protein skimmers and will ask them what they think about skimmers on freshwater tanks.

Does anyone know were to buy Clarity products? Are there actual LFS or online vendors that carry their stuff?

 

[Nic]

i remember oddball saying only preasurized skimmers will foam fresh water.... the thing looks expensive could build something for cheaper...

 

[duanes]

Mine cost about $50 to build, the venturi valve was the only expensive part. I got the plans from Aquarium Fish mag in a pond article by Steven Meyer from the late 80s or early 90s, he explains that why the freshwater naysaying is a myth.
I scales down for aquarium use.

 

[cassharper]

That skimmer is wicked dirty...

 

[aquaventions]

I too have heard that protein skimmers are ineffecient in freshwater............I know some people that are really knowledgable in protein skimmers and will ask them what they think about skimmers on freshwater tanks.

Does anyone know were to buy Clarity products? Are there actual LFS or online vendors that carry their stuff?

The company is in Norway, but their products can be purchased through:

Pudin Koi Farm
Louisiana
Tel: 800-530-1626 or 225-627-6762
sales@purdinkoi.com
www.purdinkoi.com

 

[Dr Joe]

Questionable. I don't see how they get it to foam after going thru the bio-material (that slows the water down) w/o air injection.

duanes seam to have one that works, if he could post a how-to or a copy of the article since it's out of print, then we could test it. Pump out needed for amount of nitrAtes in water etc.

Dr Joe

.

 

[Nic]

The company is in Norway, but their products can be purchased through:

Pudin Koi Farm
Louisiana
Tel: 800-530-1626 or 225-627-6762
sales@purdinkoi.com
www.purdinkoi.com

id rather buy the nexus filter system at that point...