Protein skimmers for freshwater?
- Thread starter DrNo
- Start date
They are useless. I do not know exactly why but a few similar posts have popped up in the past and the overwhelming response is don't use 'em.
Protein skimmers work on the principle that the increased salinity causes an increase in the surface tension in the water, which allows those really fine bubbles to form in SW. Thast what causes the proteins to glom together and rise up in the skimmer column. The surface tension in FW isn't high enough to form those really tiny bubbles.
That being said, I have heard some people say that it works, although I've never seen readings of any sort or explanations to back it up.
That being said, I have heard some people say that it works, although I've never seen readings of any sort or explanations to back it up.
sploke pretty much nailed it.
I don't see how they would work in a fw tank..there is not enough surface tension in most water to allow accumulated skim float and collect in the skimmer cup.
you can get a surface skimmer tho.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+16729&pcatid=16729
or
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+12703&pcatid=12703
I don't see how they would work in a fw tank..there is not enough surface tension in most water to allow accumulated skim float and collect in the skimmer cup.
you can get a surface skimmer tho.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+16729&pcatid=16729
or
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+12703&pcatid=12703
Just increase the surface movement a bit to get rid of the film. The out-gassing of CO2 would be negligible with fully automated CO2 injection.
Besides, even if a skimmer did work in freshwater, the aeration it creates would easily out-gas far more CO2 than surface movement alone.
Besides, even if a skimmer did work in freshwater, the aeration it creates would easily out-gas far more CO2 than surface movement alone.