Skimmer

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
External protein skimmer of a saltwater aquarium

A skimmer is a water treatment device that physically removes mainly organic waste and accumulated substances in the form of lipids , uric acid , peptides and amino acids from the water in a closed system .

For this purpose, fine-pearled air is blown into a pipe, on the upward-rising bubbles of which molecules attach themselves through adhesion . This function is often additionally reinforced by the countercurrent effect. A foam forms at the top of the pipe, which becomes more and more viscous until it is deposited in a foam pot. This protein skimming technique emerged from flotation and was originally used in wastewater treatment.

There are pump-operated skimmers and air-operated skimmers. Devices with a capacity of 25 mg / h up to 400 mg / h are available from specialist retailers. Originally, skimmers were used in seawater systems such as seawater aquariums . Since it has recently become possible to skim proteins in fresh water, skimmers are also used in pond systems.

Regardless of which technology is used to generate air bubbles, there are three different mounting types for aquariums.  

  • If a technical pool is available, it is advisable to operate an internal skimmer, alternatively also in a normal pool, whereby the minimum and maximum water level must be observed. 
  • Many skimmers, especially those for systems> 1000 liters, are operated as external skimmers, so that there is a hose for the inlet and the waste water. 
  • Hang-on skimmers or skimmers for hanging are well suited for small to medium-sized systems up to 700 liters, as they can simply be hooked into the main or technical basin and thus offer a convenient and quick installation option. 

By adding ozone using an ozone generator, the efficiency of a skimmer can be increased many times over. Due to the higher value of ozone, the protein compounds are broken down much faster than oxygen and thus removed from the water cycle. Ozonizers with an output of 25 to 200 mg / h are perfectly adequate for salt water aquariums up to 1000 liters (depending on the fish stock and redox potential ). Ozonizers with an output of 300 to 400 mg / h and more are mainly used in large show aquariums or fish farming systems. Ozonation is rarely carried out in aquariums, however, since skimmers are usually sufficiently effective without additives and the ozone can also have disadvantages.

Web links