Newbie here, What is a protien skimmer

Discussion in 'Protein Skimmers' started by Mawnkey, Sep 19, 2011.

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  1. Mawnkey

    Mawnkey Ritteri Anemone

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    I am very new to SW, and have no idea what a protien skimmer is, for that matter i dont really know what many things are used for and what they are in the SW world, Some help :confused:
     
    Mawnkey, Sep 19, 2011
    Mawnkey, Sep 19, 2011
    #1

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  2. nedim

    nedim Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    nedim, Sep 19, 2011
    nedim, Sep 19, 2011
    #2
  3. skurious

    skurious Sailfin Tang

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    Check the threads at the top of this link. They are some "beginners guides" that memebers have written. These should help you out.

    New To The Hobby - 3reef Forums
     
    skurious, Sep 19, 2011
    skurious, Sep 19, 2011
    #3
  4. Fishmonger

    Fishmonger Plankton

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    Fishmonger, Sep 19, 2011
    Fishmonger, Sep 19, 2011
    #4
  5. steve wright

    steve wright Super Moderator

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    a basic summary

    a protien skimmer is a filtration method with 2 general components
    a method of injecting air - very fine bubbles and loads of them
    a method of circulating water through the unit

    the very fine bubbles attract protien based wastes to stick to them Via
    surface tension - same reason a protien based slick can accumulate at the water surface of a tank with inadequate surface movement

    the fine bubbles, with the protien based waste they have attracted, get carried up into a overflow, then burst, which means an amount of water, and an amount of protien based waste are them removed from the system

    it reduces the strain/ load on your biological filtration, as it removes these protiens before they have a chance to go through the normal ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate cycle


    basically a very good piece of equipment IMO
     
    steve wright, Sep 19, 2011
    steve wright, Sep 19, 2011
    #5
  6. MajesticCoral

    MajesticCoral Fire Worm

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    Steve thank you I was curious myself as I'm new to the trade
     
    MajesticCoral, Sep 21, 2011
    MajesticCoral, Sep 21, 2011
    #6

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  7. Mawnkey

    Mawnkey Ritteri Anemone

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    Steve thank you. Do does that mean that water needs to constintly be added

    Sent from my EVO 3D using Tapatalk
     
    Mawnkey, Sep 21, 2011
    Mawnkey, Sep 21, 2011
    #7
  8. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

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    Yes and no. :)

    You will lose a lot more due to evaporation which will need to be replaced with RO/DI freshwater. Routine water changes will keep your SG in check.
     
    Mr. Bill, Sep 22, 2011
    Mr. Bill, Sep 22, 2011
    #8
  9. Mawnkey

    Mawnkey Ritteri Anemone

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    What happens if the pump breaks

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    Mawnkey, Sep 28, 2011
    Mawnkey, Sep 28, 2011
    #9
  10. ComputerJohn

    ComputerJohn Panda Puffer

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    If the pump breaks it needs to be replaced with the same model or the same GPH rating.

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    ComputerJohn, Sep 28, 2011
    ComputerJohn, Sep 28, 2011
    #10
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