Aquarium fish keeping has always been considered an very relaxing and rewarding pastime. This fun and intriguing activity is becoming increasingly well-liked among the American people. If you like to keep fish as pets, then learning to maintain your fish tank or pond is of absolute importance for the health and contentment of your fish. Using a protein skimmer is one aspect of tank upkeep that must never be ignored.

A protein skimmer is a filter that removes unwanted proteins and other organic waste present in the water before they start decomposing to form harmful and toxic nitrogenous waste like ammonia and nitrite. Skimmers are rather uncomplicated in design – it comprises of a glass chamber to store a column of water, a bubble generator and a waste collection tank.

Why Use a Protein Skimmer?

When a skimmer is turned on, streams of bubbles from a bubble generator are injected into the water column to produce a huge water/air interface. This interface draws in most of the unwanted organic molecules because of their hydrophobic (water-repelling) nature. This accumulation of organic waste continues till the water/air interface gets thicker and foam formation starts. The foam carries the gathered waste to the top of the water column, where it gets transferred into a waste collection cup and removed by emptying the cup. Therefore, a protein skimmer is also known as a foam filtrator.

What a Protein Skimmer Does

Besides removing organic wastes and waste from the water, a protein skimmer also does the following:

- Clears some inorganic impurities like phosphates.

- Clears any toxins released by corals or invertebrates present in the aquarium.

- Lessen the load on the biological filter.

- Restricts algae build-up and removes bacteria.

- Increases the oxygen level in the water.

Nonetheless, it may also remove natural food sources like plankton and trace elements like iodine, which are required for reef aquariums.

How to Use a Protein Skimmer?

Placement is the one of main considerations while using a protein skimmer. For optimum efficiency, it should be the first device in the filtration system. It can be placed inside the tank if space allows or outsidethe tank. Remember, for your protein skimmer to work smoothly, you need to clean it from time to time – the bigger the collection cup, less often the cleaning. A small collection cup may require emptying on a daily basis.

How to Select a Good Protein Skimmer?

Firstly, you have to decide on its placement. Secondly, think about how much time you are willing to invest on its upkeep. Most importantly, how much money you are willing to invest and whether you want any accessories like an ozonizer. Protein skimmers are available in a broad range of designs, sizes and prices – the more costly ones require less upkeep and are easier to install. Whatever the case, try to purchase a protein skimmer with a big collection cup. Also remember, the more powerful the bubble generator, the more effective is the protein skimmer.