Protein Skimmers

A Protein Skimmer is a filter that removes dissolved organic substances and wastes from water.
Protein skimming is the only form of filtration that physically removes organic compounds before they begin to decompose, lightening the loading on the biological filter and improving the water's redox (oxygen) potential. Protein shaving removes certain organic compounds, including proteins and amino acids, by using the mutual opposition of the protein itself.

Protein skimmers can be classed in two ways depending on whether they operate by co-current flow or counter-current flow. Proteins and waste material products cling to the fine air bubbles accumulating in a collection neck, rise, and brim over into a waste matter cup. Organic substance within the water, proteins, amino and even elements that may be desired, are attracted to the fine bubbles produced by the protein skimmer, they broadly work better in "saltier" water, salinity increases the surface tension, which is required to attract the surfactants.

Protein skimming (also called foam fractionation) can be considered as a form of mechanical filtration, since it is a physical process of removing substances from water, without any chemical or biological action. Protein skimmers actively remove waste products from fish, plants, and invertebrates (along with any dead organisms or uneaten food) before it has a chance to break down and compromise water quality.

Skimmers work by injecting numerous tiny bubbles into the water column with high speed pumps and sucking air through a venturi tube. They create a "foam" or "froth" in the reaction chamber. stripping dissolved organic particles from the water before they can decay to ammonia and exchange to nitrates through the nitrogen cycle. Skimmers that produce different sized bubbles and that have different adjustments will produce dissimilar consistencies as a result.Marine aquarium protein skimmers are abundant in the aquarium industry today, each of which claims some unique characteristic to distinguish itself as the best.

Saltwater tanks are successfully maintained using only a protein skimmer and biological filtration. Removing the oily film from the water's surface, common in a saltwater aquarium is supposed to transfer organics before they can be broken down by bacteria. Marine creatures are normally very sensitive to organic waste, since they are native to the ocean where organic waste material is instantly diluted by the enormous water mass.

David 'Goldie' Edwards is managing director of an Aquatic Supplies company based in the UK. His Protein Skimmers webpage gives clients the opportunity to further enhance their Aquatic knowledge. Water Fountains [http://www.gaps-limited.com] are another of David's passions and he is rapidly gaining a reputation within the industry for creating some spectacular displays.