Just trying to make sure I underatand skimming

I have a wet/dry filter aquaclear pro 300 that had a built in skimmer. I dont know or think its doing what the tank needs. First I am trying to understand what everyone talks about with microbubbles? second if I do a w/c then it explodes and if its bad enough just pumps water out, This created the water to spill out and short out my powerstips(glad I was home otherwise id have no home because the strip did yes indeed catch fire)but thats another story. I have a friend that owns a pet store that I purchase all my products through that says upgrade and is trying to let me try a new marineland 300 that just came out. The only place I can fit it is in the sump by the return pump is this ok? I have had alot of algae in the tank and cant blame the skimmer but think its a big part! Any imput for me guys. Thanks again for the help being new at this is tough but it sure is fun!

 

Here, read this. For the record, I didnt write this, this is a copy & paste.

What is Protein Skimming?
There are some impurities that accumulate in the water of your aquarium that will most likely not be fully removed via your mechanical and biological filtration. These impurities are called dissolved organic compounds (DOC's). For quite some time, commercial and industrial filtration systems have employed a process called foam fractioning to remove DOC's. A protein skimmer is essentially a foam fractioning system for your aquarium. It pulls out water, removes DOC's, and returns the clean water to the tank. If not removed from the water, the DOC's would result in a buildup of oils and phosphates from fats, and nitrates from proteins. Exactly how protein skimmers remove DOC's will be explained below

How Does a Protein Skimmer Work?
Foam fractioning is a relatively simple process. If you agitate pure water by blowing bubbles into it, the bubbles at the surface burst quickly and no foam develops. However, if the water has fats and/or proteins dissolved in it, the bubbles will not burst as easily and a foam will form as you continue to inject air bubbles. If you've ever blown bubbles with a straw in a glass of milk, you've seen this in action. Milk is basically water with some fats, proteins and sugars dissolved in it. So when you blow bubbles in it, a foam forms. If you were to continually blow bubbles into the milk and scoop the foam off the top, you would eventually remove most of the DOC's (fats and proteins), as well as some of the water.
This is what a protein skimmer does. It creates bubbles in the water and as foam forms on top of the water, it falls into a collection container while the clean water (the stuff that wasn't part of the foam) is returned to your tank. There is a variety of mechanisms by which different protein skimmers accomplish this, but they all operate on this basic idea.
Do I Really Need a Protein Skimmer?
Although protein skimmers are pretty simple conceptually, they can get a bit pricey. When setting up a new aquarium, there are many different accessories that can be added and most people don't want to spend the money to get every possible add-on right off the bat. So, naturally, you want to know just how essential each accessory is.
Protein skimming is not absolutely essential, but it is close. You will be able to keep fish alive in your tank without it, but it certainly won't be an ideal environment. It's kind of like getting a hamster, but not cleaning its cage. It will live for a good while, but it will be constantly immersed in its own waste and that will gradually take its toll. If you can't afford one right away, consider waiting a little longer and saving up a little extra money to get yourself a protein skimmer. Once you have it running and you see the brown scum that it collects from your water, you'll understand why you needed it.

Luna

 

Thanks Luna. Have you have any experience with those built in ones I know its skimming but how well is it worth the upgrade? I think that algea problem ive been facing could indeed be in part to this? The tanks is 8 months old now. How do I know if the bubbles are right? it puts out a ton of bubbles in the water and is also leaving the green/brown/black sludge. Thank also luna you have give me a great deal of advise on this site.

 

Hello Miranda, to address your question about the skimmer in the sump, it really can be in with the return as long as you use a bubble diffuser. I went into your profile but you do not have a tank description. What size tank is it? I am not sure you need a $300.00 skimmer. Also, a pic of sump would help.

 

I will try to get you a picture of the sump. Sorry I thought I added pics and whatnot to profile. Its a 220 tank with a aquaclear 300 wet/dry with built in skimmer. If you would like to know all the specs let me know anything you need I really am just trying to enjoy this hobby. Not that I dont just was mislead by old lfs when I got into the hobby and had a expensive learning curve! there is 200-250 lbs ish of lr in the tank. I am not to sure exactally how much lr but I bought 80 lbs then 100 then 5-10 hear and there. Sorry just trying to be as specific as possible. Dont know what the micro bubbles are or about the bubble difuser? And they call me mike;-)

 

I have never had a "built in" skimmer before. All my skimmers have all been in-sump application. As far as your algae problem, have you tested your Nh3, No2, No3 and Po4? I think a skimmer is a must if your going to over stock with either fish or/and corals. If you do get one, get one thats over rated for your tank. I have a 90g display, a 55g sump/refugium and I have a skimmer rated for 200+Gals. Luna

 

yep sure is the one I was trying to downlad a picture of thy system for you but yes that is it. where my pump sits is bigger though on the right side looks like its about twice the size as that picture shows.

 

Its both! I see bubbles everywhere I see stuff bubbling out if I do a wc or clean the tank. But I hear from my lfs that I should upgrade because of the issues I have it will help. I have had readings of 0 on nitrates and .25 for phosphates but have not broken out of the innitial alge outbreak from when it was new and contniues to grow. I have scraped everything 2 times a week to keep it looking good and did get some in the bio balls a awhile ago and think that buildup in there was part of the problem. I have taken out and rinced out the balls 1/4 last week and will do 1/4 of them every week until I clean them all. but I dont think I had enough skimming. I have plenty of flow for the tank with the mag1800 and 4 korlia 4s in there. So yes I guess im trying to understand. Thank you