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Best Protein Skimmer Buying Guide & FAQ
Choosing the right protein skimmer for your saltwater aquarium isn’t just about knowing which products are the best, it’s also about knowing why they are the best. In this part of the buying guide, we take a closer look at protein skimmers; see what to look for when buying a skimmer for your aquarium, what the advantages are of a skimmer and the different types that are available. In addition, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about these important aquarium devices.
Things to Consider When Buying Protein Skimmers
The right protein skimmer for your aquarium depends on many variables, from the size of your aquarium to how often you want to clean the canister. However, there are some considerations that are universal. Of which:
When considering the cost of a protein skimmer, it’s not just the initial outlay that matters. There are also ongoing costs to budget for. Skimmers use pumps, which in turn require electricity. The amount of electricity, and therefore the cost level, depends on the energy requirement of the pump. The more energy it needs, the more electricity it will use. Check the wattage and efficiency of any pump you are considering.
Also make sure your skimmer has all the necessary components. For example, HOB protein skimmers have many different designs because the water pump is outside the tank. If you bought one type, make sure it comes with everything you need as parts may be hard to find later on. Meanwhile, for in-sump protein skimmers, you may even need to buy a separate submersible pump if this is your preferred method.
The size of the skimmer you need depends first of all on the size of the aquarium tank you have. The water level is also a consideration, as is the type of skimmer you are considering. You should consider a series of questions before settling for the right size.
Of which:
- Will your skimmer hang from the back of your tank or sit in a sump?
- If your skimmer has to work with a sump, what size footprint is suitable?
- How much headroom (space above the tank) do you need to accommodate a skimmer?
- If the skimmer is outside the sump, is additional or special plumbing required?
In order to work, the skimmer must be supplied with air and water, this is the job of the pump. If the pump is not strong enough for the task at hand, the skimmer will operate slowly and ineffectively. The strength of the skimmer is directly related to the water flow supplied to it in proportion to the volume of the aquarium.
The amount of air that is pumped through is also important for the formation of the bubbles. If the pump pumps too much water in proportion to air, the air bubbles will not have enough time to remove the proteins and other organic waste from the water. As a result, organic waste returns to the aquarium, rather than being collected for disposal.
The size of the bubbles produced by the skimmer affects the efficiency of the unit. Smaller bubbles are more efficient, so the size of the bubbles affects how efficiently it works. Likewise, you want to produce as many bubbles as possible, as this increases the surface area for the proteins to attach to.
Benefits of skimming protein
The main benefit of protein skimming is that it removes small particles of organic waste, such as food waste and other proteins, from the aquarium habitat. This results in an oxygen-rich environment and improves the health and survival of the fish in the aquarium.
Using a skimmer also helps to remove nitrates and other materials that can easily lead to further degradation and the appearance or spread of algae. If not addressed early, algae in saltwater aquariums can be extremely difficult to control, so it is always best to use a skimmer to prevent them from appearing.
Dirt buildup in an aquarium environment can also lead to problems and affect the health of aquatic life. Dirt can make the water cloudy and not allow enough light to penetrate the water. A skimmer helps to clear turbid water and restore it to optimal condition for the marine life in the aquarium.
If organic waste compounds are dissolved in the tank, they can cause unstable pH levels. If they become unfavorable to marine life in the tank, it can have an adverse effect on the health of the fish and other animals. An effective protein skimmer helps maintain a stable pH level and supports the health and well-being of the aquarium’s inhabitants.
Types of protein skimmers
There are several types of protein skimmers that you can choose from. Which type is right for you depends on a number of factors, including the size and type of water setup you have or are considering. The most common types of skimmers are suspension skimmers, in-tank skimmers, in-sump skimmers, and external protein skimmers.
Hold on Skimmers
This type of skimmer is designed to hang in the back of the aquarium – also called HOB protein skimmer. They are a good choice for aquariums that do not have a sump. They are generally attached with suction cups and reduce the space required in the tank, and are some of the most popular choices. A major brand associated with this type is the Reef Octopus (classic or otherwise).
Skimmers in the tank
In-tank skimmers are generally compact in size so that they can be placed in the tank without greatly reducing the space required for marine life. As long as the right size is chosen, an in-tank skimmer can be an effective choice. Therefore, always check the dimensions of your new purchase, as well as the dimensions of your tank.
In sump skimmers
If you have a sump in your tank, this type of skimmer can be integrated into it. It is important to consider the footprint of the skimmer to ensure it fits the sump you have. These types use the line that protein skimmers naturally have – with piping often being the connectors.
External skimmers
These are located outside the aquarium and require additional plumbing. The water is fed into the skimmer, where it is cleaned and then returned to the aquarium. They may also be called a stovetop skimmer because the pump is on the outside. These hob skimmers reduce the transfer of heat to your water, so they have their own benefits with this design.
In addition to these four basic types, there are also several internal workings to consider. In general, skimmers work as co-current or counter-current.
DC
In a DC-operated skimmer, the air is introduced to the bottom of the chamber and comes into contact with the water as it rises to the canister or chamber. Examples of co-current systems include:
airstone
This is one of the oldest forms of skimming where compressed air pushes through the diffuser to produce a greater amount of microbubbles. While it is an effective and economical choice, it is a higher maintenance system than other more modern approaches. The air stone is generally an elongated block of wood that has been partially hollowed out.
It is positioned at the base of a water column. Water is then pumped into the column and passes through the rising bubbles to return to the tank. Such systems are not suitable for small home aquariums as the units need to be several meters high to get the required contact time with the bubbles.
Venturi
A venturi pump is used to create small bubbles in a water stream. Water from the aquarium is pushed through the venturi, where small bubbles are added before entering the body of the skimmer. The compactness and efficiency of this method make it popular with many aquarium owners. However, the venturi pump design is usually a more complex design, rather than being used as a standalone design.
Counter-current systems
These systems are more effective and efficient than DC power systems, which is why the ones on our best protein skimmer list use this approach. In counter flow systems, air is forced into the system under pressure and moves against the flow of the water for a while before rising to the canister. The effectiveness of this type of system comes from the longer period of contact between the bubbles and the water. Examples of counter-current systems are the aspirating skimmer.
Priming skimmers include those that use a pinwheel or needle wheel impeller. Pinwheel designs have impellers consisting of a disk with pins mounted at a 90-degree angle to a disk and parallel to a rotor. A needle impeller consists of a series of pins projecting from a central axis perpendicular to the rotor. In either case, the impeller shreds or chops the air, which is introduced by an external pump or a venturi device. This movement creates micro bubbles. Such skimmers are very popular with home aquarium owners and work well with small aquariums because they are compact, quiet and easy to set up. They have lower power consumption than other skimmer setups because the pump propels a mixture of water and air.
Source:
- Adam Denish, DVM, Freshwater vs Saltwater Aquariums: What You Need to Know, PetMD
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