Protein skimming is a method to efficiently remove waste materials from seawater by adhesion of dissolved organic substances to fine air bubbles. There are two types of organic compounds relating to skimmers, hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds. Hydrophobic compounds will readily attach to the outside of bubbles. This causes a foam. This foam is a waste product. The benefit of a protein skimmer lies in the fact that once the waste materials are skimmed off, they are removed from the water flow, preventing these waste products from being decomposed to nitrate and phosphate.
The protein skimmer is basically a foam chamber with a collection cup. The collection cup removes these hydrophobic compounds. The difference between protein skimmers is simply the efficiency. Quantity and size of the air bubbles, contact time between air, water and appropriate chamber to create a stable foam. The difference between skimmers how they do this. A more efficient skimmer allows maximum time for these hydrophobic compounds to contact and attach to the bubbles in a protein skimmer. More often than not you pay for what you get. But then again you also have a point of diminishing returns.
Many skimmers are rated by tank size. This is simply, in politically correct terms, misrepresenting the facts. The size of a protein skimmer is simply determined by the amount of hydrophobic compounds you want to remove. A well stocked FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) will require a larger skimmer than a coral tank with soft corals. Some soft corals thrive on those hydrophobic compounds the skimmer is removing. A SPS hard coral tank normally thrives under strong skimming. The size and type of your skimmer should be well thought out based on the ecosystem you want to create.
There are many skimmers available. We prefer Deltec or Tunze based on efficiency and overall cost and setup.
To purchase a Protein Skimmer Click Here Deltec Skimmers