Protein Skimmer for Saltwater Aquarium

Protein skimming, otherwise known as foam fractioning is one of the most important aspects associated with any health aquarium. In a nutshell they remove waste and food particles before it gets to the biological filtration process. The microscopic debris attaches to the tiny bubbles and when it reaches the top of the chamber the bubbles overflow and the debris goes with it. Have you ever been to the beach after a storm and you see all this foam being pushed up on the beach from the waves. Ever notice that it is brown in color. Well that foam is the debris and waste that the storm stirred up. This is what protein skimmers do. While there are different types of skimmers available on the market today, always remember that each type has its share of good and bad things that you should consider before buying any of them. In Tank skimmers for example are known to be the cheapest of them all but offer very few options. Then there are the in sump models which come with the most features even though you should be prepared to pay more for them. The most popular types of protein skimmers today for beginners in the saltwater aquarium are the common Hang On Tank models.

Most beginning aquarium hobbyists usually prefer the Hang On Tank protein skimmer models since they are not only reasonably priced by are also easy to install as well. The truth of the matter is that the In-tank protein skimmers are reputed as being the first ones to grace the scene of aquarium rearing. With them, you will never have to worry about drained tanks or wet floors. Most of them are co-current devices which are powered by air stones and an air pump even though some of them are pump driven and come completed with the venture valves.

The In-tank units are ideally the least expensive option of adding a protein skimmer on your aquarium system. The only drawback associated with them is that they take up a considerably valuable tank space and most are not that efficient at skimming. You might thus want to consider the hang-on tank protein skimmers. Most aquarium hobbyists were interested in a unit that didn’t need any space under or in a tank or need any kind of plumbing which led to the introduction of the hang- on- tank skimmer.

Various types of protein skimmers such as counter current and venture are commonly used in the H.O.T units with the most popular being an aspirating skimmer (needle wheel or mesh). The H.O.T. skimmers come with quite a compact design and are able to easily fit on nearly any kind of aquarium. In addition to this, they are easy to set up and their size makes them more efficient than in-tank skimmers as well. Another option that you should consider is the in- sump protein skimmers. These are very convenient protein skimmers, extremely efficient at skimming and take up no real estate in your tank.

If you are one of those people who don’t want to see unsightly equipment alongside or in your aquarium, the H.O.T. and the in-sump protein skimmers are the most ideal units. They have top notch protein skimming abilities which makes them an excellent choice to consider. So before you buy a protein skimmer, it is essential that you do your homework very well and understand the different options available at your disposal. Making the right choice is essential and this will help ensure that your saltwater aquarium stays at its healthiest state possible.