How To Choose The Best Amazon Aquarium Protein Skimmers?

Protein skimming is a method of removing proteinaceous wastes that are otherwise difficult to remove and which break down over time to produce ammonia and other undesirable nitrogen compounds.

Protein skimming is a different form of filtration from all the other types discussed here. Protein skimming uses a very fine bubble to “strip” proteinaceous wastes out of the water as foam, which is then collected and removed. The same effect causes the foam produced by breaking waves at the beach. For home aquaria, protein skimming is only effective for marine tanks. It is possible to achieve freshwater protein skimming, but this requires very large reaction chambers (around 6 ft tall!) and extremely powerful pumps.

There are two types of protein skimmers: air-driven and venturi, and two basic methods: concurrent and countercurrent. Concurrent means that air and water flow through the protein skimmer in the same direction, while in countercurrent skimmers they travel in opposite directions. However, some modern skimmers offer other designs, eg a prism-type mixing chamber.

Air-driven protein skimmers sit inside the aquarium and use an air pump to push air and water through the reaction chamber. Venturi protein skimmers use an impellor-driven pump to draw in air and force water through the reaction chamber. Skimming is most effective when the air bubbles are small (but not microscopic) and there is turbulent mixing and a long contact time between the air and water.

Venturi skimmers are more effective than air-driven versions but are larger and more expensive. They come in a range of sizes and styles including models designed to be mounted inside the tank or sump, hang-on-tank, and large free-standing types. Air-driven skimmers are internal, for use in the tank or sump. Sump mounting is popular because protein skimmers, particularly large models, can be obtrusive and unsightly in the tank. However, where a sump is not used, hang-on versions are very popular.

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Getting the most out of this filter system:

Choose a suitable model and style to suit your tank volume and set up. The air and water flow through the protein skimmer should be regulated so as to give the most foam. This may require a little trial and error. Airstones in air-driven skimmers should be either wood or sintered glass and must be replaced regularly for optimum performance. Glass airstones have a longer active life than wooden ones. Protein skimmers should be turned off when the aquarium is being medicated as they will strip most medications out of the water.

Further Reading

• Perches, Basses & Cods: Silver Perch Guide
• Why Should We Protect Natural Habitats For Fish? Ways To Keep Species Alive 2022
• How to Establishing Your Freshwater Aquarium 2022
• How To Cure Aquarium Fish Skin Disease?
• Understanding Small Size Saltwater Fish: Haplochromis Thereuterion
• How To Test The Water In Your Fish Tank?
• Decoration Tip For Your Aquarium: Aquatic Plant Sagittaria Latifolia
• Fish For Your Aquarium: Overall Profile Of Cyphotilapia Frontosa

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