skimmers are good for?
- Thread starter fishinaround
- Start date
There are essentilly 2 different kinds of skimmers, protein skimmers and surface skimmers.
Protein skimmers (sometimes called foam fractionators) are used almost exclusively for saltwater. A large amount of small bubbles is introduced to turbulent water, and polarized particles (such as proteins) stick to the surface of the bubbles. As this foam rises, most of the water flows back down leaving a dry foam to overflow into a collection cup. The effluent is brown or greenish in color.
Surface skimmers can be used in either saltwater or fresh. They draw water for a filter (canister or wet/dry) from the surface, rather than deeper in the tank. This reduces the oily appearing film consisting of proteins and fats that sometimes can occur on the surface of a tank.
Protein skimmers (sometimes called foam fractionators) are used almost exclusively for saltwater. A large amount of small bubbles is introduced to turbulent water, and polarized particles (such as proteins) stick to the surface of the bubbles. As this foam rises, most of the water flows back down leaving a dry foam to overflow into a collection cup. The effluent is brown or greenish in color.
Surface skimmers can be used in either saltwater or fresh. They draw water for a filter (canister or wet/dry) from the surface, rather than deeper in the tank. This reduces the oily appearing film consisting of proteins and fats that sometimes can occur on the surface of a tank.