Protein skimmer for FW tank.

[Monk]

hello,
I have a 120gal freshwater setup with 3 juvenile oscars, and 2 plecos. The water has turned pretty cloudy lately. I have been doing my water changes and the water slightly clears up each time i do, but then reverts back to being cloudy. The tank has been up and running for a month or two now, so i'm pretty sure it's "established". We all know how dirty oscars are, so thats what i've been blaming it on. But anyways... my question is: Would a protein skimmer help my out at all with removing the floating debris and bacteria? or is this the wrong way to go??

Thanks alot,
Ryan

 

[Oddball]

Welcome to MFK!!!

Do a search on skimmer as this topic has come up often. It boils down to; Yes, a protein skimmer will work in a FW tank to help in removing protein wastes. However, the usual hobbyist over-the-counter skimmers will not work. The more expensive commercial (hatchery-type) skimmers use more efficient venturi valves and work under higher flow pressure to create the micro-bubbles needed for skimmers to work in FW. Also, the larger commercial skimmers offer more dwell time (air/water mix time) than hobbyist skimmers making them, again, more efficient.

 

[Monk]

thanks alot for the info.