PRTOTEIN SKIMMER FOR FRESH WATER

[kamikaziechameleon]

Adding a DIY protein skimmer to my sump system eventually might not be too difficult. My concern is weather or not you think its worth it? Do protein skimmers add a tangible benefit to a tank that is adequately filtered down to 1 micron and HEAVILY bio-filtered as well as relieves 30-40 percent water change weekly. I've already experimented with crushed coral as a biofiltration media to amazing results. I'm just exploring the ways I might benefit from crossing over some of the more advanced husbandry techniques of high end salt and FW planted aquariums.

 

[duanes]

Check out the thread "extra benifits of water changes", in the general section. I have posted my protein skimmer findings there earlier today.

 

[kamikaziechameleon]

Ha, lol that was what spured this post, looking over your designs. Thought I'd make a more targeted discussion.

 

[duanes]

Wish they were my design, but I must give credit to Ethan at koiphen.com
I had been using the venturi method successfully, but after seeing the effectiveness and simplicity of Ethan's work I went his way, and am not looking back. The amount of foam, and the concentration of waste thru his phractionator is much greater than my venturi model produced, and the combination of biological and mechanical filtration added on, is a no brainer for me.

 

[anarekist]

i dont think there's much benefit, but i do run one. SOMETIMES it does produce skimmate and im not sure why, might be overfeeding or something else is causing alot of dissloved solids in the water. but at the moment its not doing much other than super areating the water which is the primary reason i leave it on. i have it set up where it goes through the uv first then to the skimmer so that might be it, just destroyed micro organisms in the water. but since it's no longer producing skimmate i think my uv might need replacement, waiting for the bulbs in the mail...

 

[pacu mom]

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...-FW-Systems&highlight=Clarity+protein+skimmer

 

[kamikaziechameleon]

Amazing. I'm unsure of how I'll incorporate it into my setup yet.

 

[duanes]

This is one in progress for my inside tanks. Just under 3' tall, 4" in diameter reducing to either 1" or 1/2, haven't quite decided yet. The biotower will use lava rock.

 

[kamikaziechameleon]

Nice, I always liked lava rock as a biomedia. I understand there is better stuff out there, but its just so cheap!

 

[batang_mcdo]

This is one in progress for my inside tanks. Just under 3' tall, 4" in diameter reducing to either 1" or 1/2, haven't quite decided yet. The biotower will use lava rock.

Hi Duanes Also really interested in your fractioner, btw how do you feed the water into it?
can it be used inside sump tank>?