Protein Skimmer for Freshwater

[vfc]

Dr_Shakalu,
Aquaclear makes a surface skimmer that fits on the input tube of the Rena XP canisters. I have one on all my freshwater tanks to remove the persistant film that's on the surface of the water. They work great!

 

[duanes]

For those who think fresh water protein skimming(foam fractionation) doesn't work, some pics

Did a suspended solids assay in the lab on the skimmer waste, comparing waste to regular tank water. Dried solids are about 5 X heavier than in normal tank water.

 

[Fat Head]

Got a "how to" for that duanes ? Might be a neat project to try.

 

[duanes]

The plans for my foam fractionator came from an article in the pond section of Aquarium Fish mag by Stephen Meyer, from late 80s. I built my fractionators and they have been set up since then, about 15 years. My only alteration is a smaller venturi tube, replacing the spa jet venturi he used for the pond model. I don't normally collect skimmer waste in bags, it goes directly to the basement drain. For fresh water the unit runs wetter than salt, so it is actually an aid to water changes, I let about 5-10 gallons of waste water drip out over 8 hours.