Fish Skimmer

[toebash17]

i have seen people writing about a fish skimmer. is it for salt water or fresh water or for both? what does it do for ur tank. should i have one? i have a filter system is it the same thing? thanks again andy

 

[andywg]

A protein skimmer is a device that works by bubble fraction. The dissolved organic proteins that can foul water become attached to the surface of the bubble and rise in a column of bubbles to a collecting cup.

However, for the most parts they only work in marine or heavier brackish systems as the water is otherwise not heavy enough to allow the creatuion of the fine bubbles necessary to allow the system to work.

There are a coupole of products purporting to be freshwater protein skimmers though I am yet to see any long term results to show me these work well.

HTH

Andy

 

[rdd1952]

You can get a surface skimmer for fresh water tanks (I guess you can use them on SW too). Basically, it works with a canister filter and, as the name implies, skims water from the surface. They can be adjusted to take as much or as little water from the surface as needed. I use them since my tap water tends to form a light film when it stands so my tanks will develop a light film on the top. The surface skimmers keep it skimmed off and clear. I have to use airstones in the other tanks to keep the film broken up.