To use Protein Skimmer or not

Discussion in 'Beginner Discussions' started by DikDaan, Nov 6, 2013.

  1. DikDaan

    DikDaan

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    Hi All

    I had a read last night about an article that said we need to learn from the marine fishkeepers to use a protein skimmer in our tropical tanks to take out the waste out of the water.

    Now I do have protein skimmers as I use to do marine fishkeeping...

    I would like to know what is the feeling on using a protein skimmer for tropicals, whats the pro's and con's, who has used it and what they experienced.
    If there are any links that you can share in this regard it will be appreciated.
     
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  3. Michael11

    Michael11 Buttikoferi

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    Spoke to a guy on the forum the other day actually where I suggested it and we discussed it. I would love to try it out as I my fish poop alot. So if you dont want to try it I dont mind giving it a shot for you.
     
  4. OP
    DikDaan

    DikDaan

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    I am thinking of using it myself, just want some more info on it. As i will have a 1000 liter setup to run it on...
     
  5. Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    I have looked into this before.

    Seems that with fresh water, the water doesn't form the scum on the surface, as it does in a marine tank.
    So although a protein skimmer can be used, it won't be nearly as effective as in a marine tank.
     
  6. pendragon

    pendragon

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    it won't skim at all
     
  7. pendragon

    pendragon

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  8. pendragon

    pendragon

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    What Ive been told is fresh water fish has a higher salt content than the water they live in so they don't drink water, as where marine fish have a lower salt content so they do drink, so this meens tropical fish's poop is solid as where marine poop is powder like, that is also why the to system's have different filtration.
     
  9. pendragon

    pendragon

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    Just a thought to why I don't like swimming in the surf, the foam you see on the beach is fish poop and other waist.
     
  10. Slojo

    Slojo

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    Build yourself a Surface skimmer like they use in a swimming pool to clean your water surface. Mini-me gobbler...... PS. I coined this frase so I claim royalties:nuts:
     
  11. cheekychops

    cheekychops themasterofSAURON

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    i have heard that a skimmer does not work in freshwater because of chemistry reasons. somehthing about the salt making the water denser and therefor the tiny bubbles that a skimmer produces catches the waste, where in a freshwater this does not happen as readily.
     
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  12. Relborg

    Relborg

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    the viscosity of freshwater does not allow for the same bubbles as in marine
     
  13. pendragon

    pendragon

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    that is why it won't work.
     
  14. OP
    DikDaan

    DikDaan

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    Well I do have an overflow into the sump that will "skim" the surface...
     
  15. OP
    DikDaan

    DikDaan

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    Does anyone have some links to threads or articles on this?
     
  16. neilgouws

    neilgouws

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    Interesting topic this. Never given it any thought why us tropical guys don't use protein skimmers. Maybe one of the reasons is the smell :sick:
     
  17. Courtney99

    Courtney99

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    The reason that freshwater wont skim effectively is because the surface tension is too high,making the bubbles too large.

    One can get freshwater to skim,but it would have to be very filthy and have lots of suspended particles and you would have to have lots and lots of the finest possible bubbles you can possible create.

    I think somewhere i heard that people use them readily in ponds,but more to collect suspended algae and muck than proteins.

    IMO rather look at good well-known filtration methods for FW and better husbandry for your tanks:bath:
     
  18. Ryno

    Ryno Kenaal baber

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    it will,just be an expensive "airstone" in,your tank.
     
  19. OP
    DikDaan

    DikDaan

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    Haha ok, I just thought of asking seeing that I do have a few skimmers...
     
  20. Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    I was out and about once. and I saw this fantastic airstone in a marine tank.
    It was a square wooden one with a curtain of very very fine bubbles.
    So I got one, and obviously, it didn't work - just ordinary bubbles.
    I guess this is why.
     
  21. jsplayn

    jsplayn x reefer, nw newbie to fw

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    @DikDaan ..... Seeing as tho u have so many skimmer, why haven't you just given it a try lol, its pretty self explanitory ..... Bein an ex reefer,you knw what the bubbles should look like and u would immediately see the diference ......the question I ask myself before askin something of this nature is ,if u cvould use a protein skimmer in freshwater,then I'm sure every1 would be doin it already .....but hey,its part of the fun and experimentin and hearing the diferent answers etc and well,even knw I knew why, I knw knw the scientific explanation lol..... Good shot
     
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