Protein skimmer on FW?

Fish_Bone

Fish_Bone

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Jun 14, 2012
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Samual
My local fish guy I talk to mentioned he has a protein skimmer on his tank, and he recommended I get one.

I understand the basics of what a protein skimmer does, but I am lost on if it is really beneficial and what brands I should look for if I do decide to get one.

What are your thoughts on this?

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I've never had one on a freshwater tank. Well, I've only had freshwater tanks, so I've never had one at all. I understand their benefits on a saltwater tank, where one wants to minimize water changes because water is not free, and frequent water changes would become expensive quickly. However, water changes on a freshwater tank are essentially free (the water part), so it is usually easier, and better just to do frequent small (or large) water changes rather than use a protein skimmer. Also, there is some question as to whether they add much benefit to a fresh water system as they do to a saltwater system.

Emily
 
The big problem is water density. Freshwater is a much lower density than saltwater and the skimmer will not form the millions of very tiny bubbles in freshwater as it does in saltwater. As a result the skimming ability is greatly reduced in freshwater and most of todays short body skimmers will be inefficient if they even work at all.

Older style skimmers with the tall vertical bodies will be better and may have some better efficiencies and are typically used in pond situations where there is more room to put a skimmer.

Water changes are less expensive and more effective at improving water quality than adding a skimmer in freshwater. About the only real benefit is gas exchange.

Andy
 
That is exactly what I was wondering. So the reasoning you don't see protein skimmers on FW is because of water density and cost effectiveness, not because they wouldn't perform the function they where intended for provided correct input.

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Carbon or Purigen and water changes will accomplish what a skimmer does for a SW aquarium.
 
In FW the skimmers can't pull out as much organic stuff because the water isn't as dense...

The only reasonable time to have a FW skimmer is on a pond...


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