Red Sea Prizm Protein Skimmer
Ok, I,ve just dived in at the deep end and ordered a Protein Skimmer. As the title says its the Red Sea Prizm Skimmer and should be more than efficiant to run on my tank. Here is what it says about this model skimmer :-
The development of the Prizm line of protein skimmers represents one of the most significant technological breakthroughs in protein extraction in decades. Utilizing an advanced new method of mixing the water and air and the development of an integrated 2-stage reaction chamber has reset the standard by which all skimmers will be judged.
The Prizm Skimmers consist of 4 basic components: Main Body, Collection Cup, Inlet Pipe and Pump. It is designed to either hang-on the aquarium or to be installed next to or inside a sump as the motor is fully submersible. The Prizm Pro combines an efficient 18-blade TurboJet injector together with Red Sea`s Patented convergent-divergent flow technology Reaction Chamber. Water and air are drawn into the skimmer through the Inlet Pipe by the 18 blade TurboJet impellor, which has been designed to generate the optimum ratio between the water/air flow rates, producing a constant stream of superfine air bubbles in a homogenous air/water mixture.
The unique reaction chamber is divided into 2 compartments consisting of a convergent upward flow first stage, followed by a divergent downward flow second stage. The decreasing cross-sectional area of the convergent first stage, causes great turbulence and extended contact time between the air bubbles and water. The increasing cross-sectional area of the divergent second stage causes the air bubbles to flow both co and counter current before arriving to the water surface. The combined action of the 2 compartments creates a protein loaded, stable foam at the throat of the skimmer, positively pushing dry foam up into the collection cup. The bubble-trap under the reaction chamber redirects any escaping air bubbles ensuring that bubble free water is returned to the aquarium via the cascade. In addition, the bubble-trap acts as a Mechanical filter by trapping small particulate matter not removed by the foam, thus keeping it out of the aquarium. The Flow Regulator located on the Inlet Pipe allows the skimmer’s performance to be optimized for all aquarium conditions.