What are these protein skimmers? Ok, it sounds like they do something with protein, but what does that mean? Should I get one for my tank?
Protein Skimmer
- Thread starter Fish_are_fishfood
- Start date
A protein skimmer is a filter that causes dissolved solids, (liquid waste) to be consentrated into a foam that rises into a collection container to be dumped down the drain. Not typically used on fresh water aquaiums because the water tention of fresh water doesn't foam as easy as salt water. I have used p/s on fresh water with a higher than typical water pressure pump and venturi but I also was injecting ozone into the skimmer. It worked but still wasn't as affective as when use on salt water.
I would highly recommend adding a protein skimmer to your SW aquarium. I recently broke down my saltwater aquarium and sold my protein skimmer to a good friend. I kind of regret it now, because I am thinking of setting up another sw tank. 
You will appreciate the work the protein skimmer will do. You will be amazed at all the dissolved organic waste it will remove.
You will appreciate the work the protein skimmer will do. You will be amazed at all the dissolved organic waste it will remove.
If you have a S.W. tank and it's mostly a fish system (not a full blown reef tank) then yes get one. Do you have a sump or will you have to use a hang on the back type?
Ornatapinnis said:
I dont think I have a sump, so I guess I will get the hang on the back kind, but whats a sump?
A sump lays beneath the aquarium. If you have an overflow filter which sends the water to a seperate container which is located underneath your aquarium, you have a sump.
From the sounds of it, you DO NOT have a sump.
From the sounds of it, you DO NOT have a sump.
Get a protein skimmer. Ornatapinnis sums up its function very well. Protein skimmer pull out fats, lipids, and other organics out of the system before your bacteria have a chance to break it down into nitrates. So in a nut shell,... not as much fish waste,...not as much nitrates,...not as much water changes....get a protein skimmer. CPR makes a good HOB skimmer for up to 65 gal. simple and not much to break. Red Sea's prizm is a very slim HOB skimmer that work up to 100 gal. If this is a 250 to 300 gal their berlin turbo HOB works very well. Ive used them all in many different tanks that didn't have a sump. Just remember...Big Fish ....Big S___. As much live rock and as big a skimmer as you can get.