Protein Skimmer Question

[wet&wild]

I don't exactly get how my protein skimmer works. It is a CRP backpack 2R (for reefs), so no biofiltration part. Why doesn't it have a biofiltration? Why would that be bad for the reef I plan on establishing? I thought I at least understood the mechanism by which the skimmer worked: the collector skimmed macromolecules blown to the top in a froth. However, today I read that "skimming" instead literally means skimming the biofilm and bad crap floating on the surface of the water. OK...but if the pump is so low in the water - mine being at least 4 inches below the surface- how does it get the surface stuff and not just the general water column. Was I supposed to have clipped the pipe so that it would sit at the surface or sumthin? What's goin on?

Incidentally, is there anything, i.e. purigen, or other non-bio-media that I can put in the compartment where the water collect before coming out of the skimmer to improve the overall health of the tank (to maybe get out any remaining undesirable dissolved chemimical, like ammonia?

Just wanna maximize the overall health of my tank.

 

[PaulB]

First off, I'm a bit of a newbie, so pls don't flame me if this isn't entirely correct, but..

However, today I read that "skimming" instead literally means skimming the biofilm and bad crap floating on the surface of the water.

Nah, a skimmer removes organics from the water. Its more complicated than this, but it basically works because the organics are attracted to the boundary between air and water -so you make lots of bubbles in the water which traps the organic waste and it all floats up to your collector cup. This is what people refer to as 'skimming'. It is preferable to supply the skimmer with water from the surface of the tank, as thats where most of the organics collect (for the same reason). Even if you don't collect it from the surface, you are still skimming the same sort of stuff out of the water, which should ultimately reduce the amount of 'film' on the surface -maybe this is what its referring to?

Why doesn't it have a biofiltration?

Biofiltration is generally done separately, probably because there are so many methods out there. People on these forums generally favour (no apologies for my British spelling ) using live sand and live rock as a natural biofilter, especially in a reef system. Bioballs, for example, tend to be 'too' efficient and create large amounts of nitrates, which is pretty much fine for fish only systems but will harm the inverts in a reef setup.

Was I supposed to have clipped the pipe so that it would sit at the surface or sumthin?

I'm not sure how you would skim off surface water with your setup, I plan to put my skimmer in a sump so (apologies if you already know this) the water flows from the surface, down into the sump, through the skimmer, and is then pumped back up into the tank.

Incidentally, is there anything, i.e. purigen, or other non-bio-media that I can put in the compartment ..

I'm not too sure on this one, setups I've seen in the past put a sponge filter before the skimmer for mechanical filtration, and a carbon filter afterwards to help neutralise any chemicals released by corals etc.
I believe the only way to remove ammonia is bio-media of some kind.

Hope this helps!

 

[mogurnda]

It's confusing that skimming has two meanings.

A protein skimmer may be more correctly known as a "foam fractionator." Your first idea, and Paul's description are right.

The other meaning of "skimming" is to remove the gunk from the surface. CPR actually makes an attachment for this, that goes over the powerhead to pull the water off the surface. Some say it improves skimming, er, I mean, fractionation, efficiency by concentrating the gunk.

CPR makes two models of bakpak. You have the 2R, which is designed for reefs, and has no biofiltration. The bakpak 2 has a biobale in the output. If you are using live rock and live sand, you won't need the extra biofiltration, and it will only serve to trap debris and ncrease nitrate levels.