Protein skimmer for freshwater tank!
- Thread starter catfishguy
- Start date
I should really read the article Joe posted, but I thought protein skimmers wouldn't run on fw tanks?
A theme i think about every now and then....would love to use it in my sw tanks with the tons my guys eat....
And your pix show it working.
I know Duane's been using it, but one needs to be an engineer to mount his system
And your pix show it working.
I know Duane's been using it, but one needs to be an engineer to mount his system
Don't mention this to my engineer friends, they would be insulted, as I am far from being an engineer.
IMO used in conjunction with biofiltration, it is the best filtration method available.
I did tests in the lab, and found along with DOCs, it removes freefloating algae, and some parasites in the planktonic stage. It also removes heavy metals, and medications (should be turned off during treatments)
Protein skimmers are actually fairly simple, they just take some tweeking, and a bit more flow than most aquarists are used to providing.
My DIY one came from plans on koiphen.com, and is also a biofilter, because of the lava rock media used to create cascading agitation.
Below I compared fractionation waste with normal tankwater.
Fractionation removed 8-10 times the dry waste in a similar aliquot of tank water.
And although I didn't get microsopic photos, the removal of bacteria, and other protozoans presented a similar comparison.
IMO used in conjunction with biofiltration, it is the best filtration method available.
I did tests in the lab, and found along with DOCs, it removes freefloating algae, and some parasites in the planktonic stage. It also removes heavy metals, and medications (should be turned off during treatments)
Protein skimmers are actually fairly simple, they just take some tweeking, and a bit more flow than most aquarists are used to providing.
My DIY one came from plans on koiphen.com, and is also a biofilter, because of the lava rock media used to create cascading agitation.
Below I compared fractionation waste with normal tankwater.
Fractionation removed 8-10 times the dry waste in a similar aliquot of tank water.
And although I didn't get microsopic photos, the removal of bacteria, and other protozoans presented a similar comparison.
A theme i think about every now and then....would love to use it in my sw tanks with the tons my guys eat....
And your pix show it working.
I know Duane's been using it, but one needs to be an engineer to mount his system
1) Duanes, do you add salt to your water? Is your water hard?
2) Catfishguy, have you tried less salt but found that this was the correct amount, or did you start with that and kept it because it worked?
I'm impressed by what both have posted and starting to think that this is a good idea. I just want to know if there are factors I'm missing.
2) Catfishguy, have you tried less salt but found that this was the correct amount, or did you start with that and kept it because it worked?
I'm impressed by what both have posted and starting to think that this is a good idea. I just want to know if there are factors I'm missing.
I do not add salt, and my water is neutral as far as hardness goes (7 grains/250ppm)
pH hovers around 7.5, alkalinity betweem 60 -100ppm.
I first heard about protein skimming in an old TFH article by Joe Gargas, he was using fractionation in a discus hatchery, with very soft water.
pH hovers around 7.5, alkalinity betweem 60 -100ppm.
I first heard about protein skimming in an old TFH article by Joe Gargas, he was using fractionation in a discus hatchery, with very soft water.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvIYaHiieAQ
It really works!
This youtube lonk is in a thread that shows it all called Phoam Phraxionator Part Deux in the site Duane mentions above
It really works!
This youtube lonk is in a thread that shows it all called Phoam Phraxionator Part Deux in the site Duane mentions above
I hope Mr Ethan, from KoiPhen does not mind my posting these pictures. It is a for a good cause
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