12 Protein skimmers (aka Foam Fractionators)
Description
This article is from the Aquaria: Filters FAQ, by Bruce Hallman.
12 Protein skimmers (aka Foam Fractionators)
Protein skimmers were initially developed for use in industrial sewage
treatment plants where they are also known by the term foam
fractionator. Protein skimmers have the unique ability to remove
dissolved organic wastes BEFORE they decompose! This is a neat trick
which is accomplished by taking advantage of the fact that organic
chemicals are attracted to the surfaces of bubbles which are passed in
large numbers through a column of water. The foam is then ``skimmed''
off the water, while at the same time removing the organic wastes. The
foaming process only works in a water with high pH and salinity, and
as a result skimmers are primarily for saltwater use.
The protein skimmer is largely responsible for the boom in reef
aquaria in the 1990's, due to the high water quality possible with
this type of filtration. A current ``state of the art'' in reef
systems is based upon the use of protein skimmers and live rock
without the use of a wet/dry filter. This school of thought is known
as the ``Berlin method''.
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