biocube protein skimmer
A protein skimmer, also known as a foam fractionator, is an excellent nutrient export tool for your saltwater aquarium. Here is the major reason it is quite popular. They work 24/7 and constantly remove unwanted organics, oils and proteins that may otherwise cause unwanted problematic algae outbreaks overtaking your tank. These organics, if allowed to accumulate, may also kill corals or otherwise ensure it is very difficult for them to grow and thrive.
biocube protein skimmer
How Does It Work?
The main principle on which protein skimmers work, is that the bad/unwanted organic molecules are polarized and thus that like that you follow water surface - think pond scum. Have you ever visited a waterfall, you have often seen the brown foam that collects in the bottom - usually off and away to one for reds from the waterfall. Or perhaps you are to some beach with crashing waves and seen the brown foam that gets pushed on the beach. This brown foam will be the concentrated organics, oils and proteins, that keep to the really small air bubbles of a waterfall or waves on the beach. You can imagine these tiny air bubbles very little magnets for organics, oils and proteins. Skimmers are simply copying this natural phenomenon.
Why Do I Need A Protein Skimmer?
Below are a few of the good reasons to utilize a skimmer in your saltwater aquarium, be it a fish-only saltwater aquarium or even a reef tank.
lower nutrient loads (nitrates, phosphates, organics, etc.) which otherwise result in disease outbreaks
prevent unwanted algae growth and/or outbreaks
prevent disease outbreaks for fish and then for corals and other sensitive invertebrates
improve dissolved oxygen
off-gas or prevent develop of unwanted co2 (CO2) that suppresses pH
improved water clarity
How Do I Put it to use?
The way you make use of a protein skimmer is identical, no matter what type of skimmer you have (regardless of brand or manufacturer either). The way you utilize it, can be as follows:
it operates night and day 24/7
clean it at least one time weekly (the more often it's cleaned, the higher it'll perform)
clean the foam tower, collection cup, air intakes, pump impellers once per week. The more often the greater.
maintain maximum density from the smallest air bubbles possible - this really is primarily made by keeping air intakes and pump impellers clean
do not allow any air bubbles leaving the protein skimmer being sucked into your main pump, as this can cause supersaturation and may even kill fish.
adjust the skimmer to generate a dark foam, also referred to as "skimmate" (the name for the waste removed through the skimmer). If your skimmate is obvious or only light yellow, then a foam height needs to be lowered a little.
if using your protein skimmer inside a sump or attached with a sump or refugium, locate your protein skimmer in the opposite end with the sump out of your main pump intake, so when close as you can towards the water via your exhibit tank overflow - the dirty water.
two keys to the strength of a skimmer is bubble size and make contact with time. The smaller the bubble size the higher, because this means more floor to remove waste compounds. As well as the longer the incoming water has contact time with the bubbles, the more waste it's going to remove.
biocube protein skimmer
How Does It Work?
The main principle on which protein skimmers work, is that the bad/unwanted organic molecules are polarized and thus that like that you follow water surface - think pond scum. Have you ever visited a waterfall, you have often seen the brown foam that collects in the bottom - usually off and away to one for reds from the waterfall. Or perhaps you are to some beach with crashing waves and seen the brown foam that gets pushed on the beach. This brown foam will be the concentrated organics, oils and proteins, that keep to the really small air bubbles of a waterfall or waves on the beach. You can imagine these tiny air bubbles very little magnets for organics, oils and proteins. Skimmers are simply copying this natural phenomenon.
Why Do I Need A Protein Skimmer?
Below are a few of the good reasons to utilize a skimmer in your saltwater aquarium, be it a fish-only saltwater aquarium or even a reef tank.
lower nutrient loads (nitrates, phosphates, organics, etc.) which otherwise result in disease outbreaks
prevent unwanted algae growth and/or outbreaks
prevent disease outbreaks for fish and then for corals and other sensitive invertebrates
improve dissolved oxygen
off-gas or prevent develop of unwanted co2 (CO2) that suppresses pH
improved water clarity
How Do I Put it to use?
The way you make use of a protein skimmer is identical, no matter what type of skimmer you have (regardless of brand or manufacturer either). The way you utilize it, can be as follows:
it operates night and day 24/7
clean it at least one time weekly (the more often it's cleaned, the higher it'll perform)
clean the foam tower, collection cup, air intakes, pump impellers once per week. The more often the greater.
maintain maximum density from the smallest air bubbles possible - this really is primarily made by keeping air intakes and pump impellers clean
do not allow any air bubbles leaving the protein skimmer being sucked into your main pump, as this can cause supersaturation and may even kill fish.
adjust the skimmer to generate a dark foam, also referred to as "skimmate" (the name for the waste removed through the skimmer). If your skimmate is obvious or only light yellow, then a foam height needs to be lowered a little.
if using your protein skimmer inside a sump or attached with a sump or refugium, locate your protein skimmer in the opposite end with the sump out of your main pump intake, so when close as you can towards the water via your exhibit tank overflow - the dirty water.
two keys to the strength of a skimmer is bubble size and make contact with time. The smaller the bubble size the higher, because this means more floor to remove waste compounds. As well as the longer the incoming water has contact time with the bubbles, the more waste it's going to remove.