What is it

Probally the most important and confusing piece of filtering equipment in a saltwater aquarium is a protien skimmer, there are two main of names of protien skimming such as foam fractionating, protien skimming.

What it does

Protien skimming is an effective way to remove suspended or dissolved organic materials from the aquarium water by a mechanical process called foam frationating. The organic materials are attracted to air/water surfaces in one molecule thick layer. Inside a good protien skimmer is a very large air water contact consisting of billions of tiny bubbles into seawater. The suspended organic materials collect on the surface of sese bubbles as these bubbles rise to the surface of the protien skimmer (throat). As these bubbles get to the surface the bubbles create dark foam that rises to a collection cup were it can be properly disposed of. And the clean water is realeased back into the aquarium.

What happens if I dont use one

Generally the protien skimmers remove biological matter before it enters the biological filter. So if You use one you can do less water changes to keep your nitrAtes down. Protien Skimmers are extremly helpful by keeping you aquarium water crystal clear by this you get better light penetration. It also keeps your nutrient level down in the aquarium to prevent algea blooms and some corals will only open if there is little nutrients. It also keeps the smell down in your aquarium water. But generally I dont like to put a protien skimmer on anything smaller than twenty gallons first of all becuase a lot of companys dont make them that small. And second that You can easily control nutrient levels by bioload, and frequent water changes.

What are the Different Protien Skimmers

There are basically two different types of protien skimmers airstone, and my personal favorite venturi. Lets talk airstone first If you decide to go with a nano I would recommend an airstone they are generally cheap and do plenty job of skimming for a small tank. This specific one uses and airpump and a wooden airstone the airstone is put in the bottom of a tube and the airlift theory draws water up and combines with small airbubbles and continues up the reaction chamber were it continues up the collection cup. Know for the Venturi protien skimmer this skimmer has a bunch of different ways it was design but I will tell you the basic desing as water passes throgh the intake tube there is a small hole that is connected to the atmosphere or air the venturi effect draws air from the atomosphere and into to the seawater, and the impeller grinds the bubbles into ver fine bubbles and goes up the reaction champer and throat these models are generally more effective then the airstone one as the produce a lot more airbubbles they are alot smaller and have a much more turbulence in the reaction chamber.

How Should I clean my Protien Skimmer

Lets talk about maintence on the airstone one on this one all there really need to do is replace airline tubing every couple months with silicone airline tubing and replace with proper airstone monthly, Empty collection cup when ever needed and clean out throat from deposited foam. How to clean the venturi empty collection cup and rinse it out, and clean of deposit foam when needed, replace airline tubing every couple months with silicone airline tubing clean intake tubes and impellers on monthly basis.

Well know I hope you have a better knowledge of protien skimmers what they are and what they do as this is probally one of the most debatible things in saltwater along with lighting and salt mixes and a bunch of other things. Protien skimmers and lighting seem to be the most confusing things in saltwater for newcomers.

S_F

Very well laid out and great break down thius topic. Great work once again!