Protein Skimmer in FW?

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by TankMaster, Jan 13, 2013.

  1. TankMaster

    TankMaster Apistogramma

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    I've read about this on the net and I'm just curious to know if anyone has tried/know of someone who has tried running a protein skimmer in a FW setup?

    TM
     
    TankMaster, Jan 13, 2013
    #1

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  3. Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    @TankMaster,

    Apparently they don't work in fresh water.
    For marine set ups only.

    On a similar note, I once saw the most awesome wood airstone with these very fine bubbles in a marine tank.
    Managed to track one down, put it in my tank, and ordinary bubbles came out. Went back to the lfs and they told me you only get that effect in as marine tank. Something to do with the salt. (They did give me my money back).
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 2, 2016
    Reedfish, Jan 13, 2013
    #2
  4. OP
    TankMaster

    TankMaster Apistogramma

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    I've seen those air stones! Talk about oxygenation!
     
    TankMaster, Jan 13, 2013
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  5. manicmonkey

    manicmonkey

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    u get hyper porous airstones i think they are made by terateck and they are black bought one to test and love it
     
    manicmonkey, Jan 14, 2013
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  6. Relborg

    Relborg

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    i had mine in my FW tank for about 2 weeks was also keen to see if it works - no skinmate at all - think its cause of the viscosity of FW (or lack thereof) even when set to run very wet the best i got was a cup of daily partially cloudy water

    all it becomes is an overpriced airstone
     
    Relborg, Jan 14, 2013
    #5
  7. OP
    TankMaster

    TankMaster Apistogramma

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    Do you know where one would get these?
     
    TankMaster, Jan 15, 2013
    #6
  8. Sean J

    Sean J

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    If I remember correctly, it doesn't work because Fresh Water is a lot less dense than salt water. Salt water, being dense, allows the air bubbles to collect instead of just rising and popping. So the bubbles form a "foam" where dirt and impurities end up collecting, and rising into the skimmer cup. Fresh water just doesn't do this.

    I do believe I have actually seen an ad for Fresh Water skimmers, but I have no idea where it was.
     
    Sean J, Jan 15, 2013
    #7
  9. fishcrazy

    fishcrazy

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    as an alternative look at fluidise filters.....sorry didnt mean to hijack thread but its a design that seems to work better than the skimmer for a FW setup
     
    fishcrazy, Jan 15, 2013
    #8
  10. wsteene

    wsteene

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    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 2, 2016
    wsteene, Jan 16, 2013
    #9

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