Protein Skimmer for Freshwater

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Dr_Shakalu

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Mar 28, 2007
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San Francisco
I always wondered why a protein skimmer is used for saltwater and not fresh? Doesn't a protein skimmer keep the top of the water clean from a film that builds up from feeding. I usually skim the top of the water with a small container and refill with new water. I was wondering if I making a U out of the line and pipe that flows from the tank into my canister would work. Any feedback is appreciated, the Dr.

I guess I really didn't know how a protein skimmer works. I guess what I'm trying to make is a surface skimmer.
 
Do a search on here for previous threads & posts, we've had several resent discussions on this and they explain things well.

Dr Joe

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No a protein skimmer doesn't have anything to do with the surface. It pumps water from the tank into a tube and injects microbubbles. The waste from the tank rides the bubbles to the top of the tube and overflows into a collection cup. Doesn't work in freshwater because the bubbles produced are not fine enough.
 
ewurm;901200; said:
No a protein skimmer doesn't have anything to do with the surface. It pumps water from the tank into a tube and injects microbubbles. The waste from the tank rides the bubbles to the top of the tube and overflows into a collection cup. Doesn't work in freshwater because the bubbles produced are not fine enough.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply. I was wondering what you guys thought of my plan to use my canister filter, as I guess, a surface skimmer using the U shaped return hose from the canister. I just want to find a way to clean the film from the top as automatically as possible, thanks.
 
They make intake pipes on HOB filters to skim the top also.
 
Eheim makes them too.
 
protein skimming is different from surface skimming, protein skimming is used in saltwater because the foam fractionation process is possible (stated above). Foam fractionation is dissolving bubbles and allowing the surfaces of the bubbles to collect dissolved proteins/organics. Surface skimming is simply removing surface sludge and oils by surface disturbance or an intake/overflow draw.

once again protein skimming is only possible in satwater due to the salinity and microbubbles

surface skimming is possible in both a freshwater and saltwater system and is always recommended for better gas exchange unless using CO2



some surface skimmers
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...x=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=2004&Nty=1

http://www.eheim.com/skimmer.htm
 
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