protein skimmer?

[Fry]

anyone use a proteim skimmer here? theoretically if it removes all the nitrates, it will make water changes unnecessary, you'll just have to pour out the collection cup and fill the tank back up once in a while, is this right? does it work the same in freshwater? any potential problems?

 

[prm]

the short and sweet answer is the only useful thing they do for freshwater is add oxygen. The freshwater has a different consistency than whats needed to pull the nitrates and such out.

 

[rhinod56]

they can be used in freshwater, though like a UV filter, its nice, but not neccisary. Water changes are however, cause your not just removing the bad stuff, you are putting in the good stuff such as vitemins and minerals that deplete after a time in the tank, and fish need them, so there is no way to avoid water changes completely

 

[TankBuster]

Honestly on my old saltwater setup, I did not see any reduction in nitrates.

 

[Taboojen]

my understanding is that a skimmer works only for saltwater. The excess proteins and stuff in Saltwater seem to foam more than if in freshwater. The foam carrying the organic guck is seperated before it starts breaking down in your system. Just my two cents.