Protein Skimmer on Canister Filters

[Lithril]

I've seen that you can get protein skimmers for Fluval Canister filters (I presume also that they'll work on Eheims). Do these actually work and are they worth getting - won't they increase the risk of getting an air lock into the filter.

 

[EddieW]

Lithril,

I looked at these for my Fluvals and decided against it. They are not really protein skimmers but rather surface skimmers. They remove the film from the surface by sucking water but do not reduce dissolved organics and don't produce the foam that a protein skimmer does. I have also read that they can be a pain to keep correctly set.

Having said all of that, if you just need something to remove the surface film from the water and improve O2 exchange, then it may be a very cost effective solution.

HTH, Eddie

 

[ste2k3]

they are a pain to adjust and keep working. if your tanks working fine, then I wouldn't change it