Normally the smaller the bubble size the better and the longer the contact time the better...research suggests the air bubble suface can go on attracting protein and other wastes to its surface for up to 12 Mins !!! in controled studies.
We dont need to go this far!
The important thing with any skimmer today is their overall efficiency in removing as much protein etc from the tank water, some may produce tiny tiny bubbles (better surface area to volume ratio) and long contact times....yet their tank turnover may be less than is desired to prevent protein buildup entering the nitrogen cycle.
Yet others may just be the opposite having much less contact time in the skimmer itself yet turn the tank over so quickly as to actually be more efficient in terms of protein reduction in the main tank.
obviously to combine a very high turnover rate with max contact time requires the skimmer to increase in size to continually accomodate both these requirements. Hence many of todays skimmers can end up resembling skyscraper proportions.
What is desirable is something in between the two....in effect the fast turnover lower contact time is compensated for by the fact the water is circulated many times throiugh the skimmer before it begins to breakdown into the nitrogen cycle.
Todays Protein skimmers have progressed from ''The Air-Driven Skimmer'' to the ''The Venturi Skimmer'' to the ''The Needle-wheel skimmer'' to the ''The Downdraft skimmer'' and ''The Spray Induction skimmer''.....
All these skimers have a place in different tanks/volumes etc.
A simple and effective solution is the Venturi Skimmer....these skimmers are generally easy and cheap to run......using simple low power pumps etc.
The latest downdraft units however require very expensive and powerful electric consuming motors to produce the pressure needed to create the foaming bubbles at the bottom of the reactor tube. (often very noisy too!), yet are among the most powerful and efficient skimmers today. Anyone whos jet blasted their cars clean will know what i mean here!
personally I like the new models like the Aqua medic 5000 shorty which operate with the new venturi pump and needle wheel which chops the bubbles into millions of smaller bubbles in a short duration creating a nice milky white foam in the short reaction chamber....this skimmer is best suited for larger tanks with a very high turnover.....
Other skimmers such as the Deltec range are easy to clean.....a big plus in a heavy loaded system.
Anyone who is wanting to get a new skimmer should first condsider the tanks final max stocked condition.....then if your tank is 100gals...go for a skimmer that can handle 150gals.....although many skimmers quote max capacities.....these are often under ideal conditions...ie brand new clean skimmer/venturi and other considerations.
Remember its better to overskim than underskim.....
Anyway keep up the thread, sorry if i have gone on a bit But i love everything about skimmers...i even get pleasure out of watching them work!
.....skimmers have always and will always remain one if not the one of the most important forms of water maintainance in a marine tank be it reef or fish only....
.......................Colin.
We dont need to go this far!
The important thing with any skimmer today is their overall efficiency in removing as much protein etc from the tank water, some may produce tiny tiny bubbles (better surface area to volume ratio) and long contact times....yet their tank turnover may be less than is desired to prevent protein buildup entering the nitrogen cycle.
Yet others may just be the opposite having much less contact time in the skimmer itself yet turn the tank over so quickly as to actually be more efficient in terms of protein reduction in the main tank.
obviously to combine a very high turnover rate with max contact time requires the skimmer to increase in size to continually accomodate both these requirements. Hence many of todays skimmers can end up resembling skyscraper proportions.
What is desirable is something in between the two....in effect the fast turnover lower contact time is compensated for by the fact the water is circulated many times throiugh the skimmer before it begins to breakdown into the nitrogen cycle.
Todays Protein skimmers have progressed from ''The Air-Driven Skimmer'' to the ''The Venturi Skimmer'' to the ''The Needle-wheel skimmer'' to the ''The Downdraft skimmer'' and ''The Spray Induction skimmer''.....
All these skimers have a place in different tanks/volumes etc.
A simple and effective solution is the Venturi Skimmer....these skimmers are generally easy and cheap to run......using simple low power pumps etc.
The latest downdraft units however require very expensive and powerful electric consuming motors to produce the pressure needed to create the foaming bubbles at the bottom of the reactor tube. (often very noisy too!), yet are among the most powerful and efficient skimmers today. Anyone whos jet blasted their cars clean will know what i mean here!
personally I like the new models like the Aqua medic 5000 shorty which operate with the new venturi pump and needle wheel which chops the bubbles into millions of smaller bubbles in a short duration creating a nice milky white foam in the short reaction chamber....this skimmer is best suited for larger tanks with a very high turnover.....
Other skimmers such as the Deltec range are easy to clean.....a big plus in a heavy loaded system.
Anyone who is wanting to get a new skimmer should first condsider the tanks final max stocked condition.....then if your tank is 100gals...go for a skimmer that can handle 150gals.....although many skimmers quote max capacities.....these are often under ideal conditions...ie brand new clean skimmer/venturi and other considerations.
Remember its better to overskim than underskim.....
Anyway keep up the thread, sorry if i have gone on a bit But i love everything about skimmers...i even get pleasure out of watching them work!
.....skimmers have always and will always remain one if not the one of the most important forms of water maintainance in a marine tank be it reef or fish only....
.......................Colin.
I modified my PM and run both a ER needle wheel pump to recirculate and put an eductor on the feed pump. It foams pretty good, but like everyone I'm always trying to improve.
