Protein skimmers are an invaluable tool in marine fish keeping. They are brilliant in that they remove dissolved organic products from the water before they have a chance to break down and become a problem in the aquarium water. So they serve a very nifty function.
   

So how do they work?

Well people who keep aquariums have borrowed a technique off waste water and sewerage treatment. This involves foam fractioning which is basically using foam to separate organic compounds from water.

Air is bubbled or pulled into a column of water and then these very fine bubbles float to the top. Organic compounds are trapped on the surface of the bubbles which then spill over into a collection cup. Pretty simple, pretty effective and very clever.  One drawback is that it doesn’t work efficiently in fresh water. That isn’t a problem for marine tank keepers though.

Personally I love the things as they keep my tank squeaky clean, some people hate them. This is because they are purported to strip out beneficial trace elements and plankton and other useful things you need. They are also seen as unnatural technological intervention and some purists don’t like having certain overly technological methods of filtration.

In so far as trace elements you replenish these with water changes and supplements. In terms of stripping out planktons I know you can get gentle skimmers that advertise they go easy on plankton. I haven’t read anything that convinces me either way as to whether they destroy the microscopic life in your tank.

There are a few types of skimmers air driven and those that inject bubbles through a venture valve are the two most common. Air driven skimmers are cheaper but fiddlier to set up and look after. They work with a specific skimming air stone that air is pumped out of into the water. Venturi skimmers are more expensive and are driven by an extra water pump that drags air through a valve and injects it into the column. This means they are a little pricier as you need to get that water pump if it isn’t included and that is a bit more expensive than a cheap little air pump. It really depends on your budget.

I like to skim my tank thoroughly it keeps my water clear and clean for my coral and that is my priority. I regularly use supplements to ensure that they have adequate mineral resources. Skimming isn’t however necessary, there are plenty of tanks out there without one. Some tanks are too small to fit a skimmer in or lack a sump that one could be fitted in.

What you need to do is ensure you change your water a little more often and watch your nitrates and wash out any mechanical filters well. Otherwise happy skimming! 

 

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