Protein, in itself, shouldn`t be a major problem in
aquariums. Protein is a compound needed in the nutrition of most living creatures, fish included. However, the formation of excess protein in the water creates a layer of film on the surface. This layer blocks out sun and oxygen - two essential things fish need to live - from getting into the tank. Worse than that, the protein breaks down to ammonia, which then changes to nitrates and nitrites. If there is a high level of nitrate and nitrite in the water, the tank becomes a suitable breeding ground for algae, which just happen to be parasites that absorb all the nutrients that should have gone to the fish.
To avoid all that, you need the Aqua Medic Turboflotor T1000 Protein Skimmer from
Pet Store. This skimmer is small yet powerful. Its unique feature is take in the water leaving the tank`s overflow. This step maximizes efficiency because the skimmed water directly enters the reaction chamber.
The Aqua Medic Turboflotor T1000 Protein Skimmer creates lots of air bubbles with the help of a secondary pump. The air bubbles attracts protein particles (and other particles of unwanted materials) with them when they enter the reaction chamber. In the chamber, the bubbles pop and disappear, but the dirt remains there, collected and ready for disposal.
Rio 2100 pump required and sold separately.
Aqua Medic Turboflotor T1000 Stand Alone Skimmer, no pump. In-Sump Protein Skimmer for aquaria 25 to 250 gal.
The Turboflotor T1000 is a powerful skimmer with a unique plumbing scheme that makes it the smartest little skimmer on the market. Taking advantage of the fact that the surface of your aquarium is where proteins collect naturally, the T1000 is designed to intake the water exiting the overflow of your tank. By delivering the surface skimmed water directly into the reaction chamber of the T1000, efficiency is maximized. If splicing into the drain-line plumbing is not an option in your system, the T1000 can be run from a tee off your main system pump or feed by a secondary pump. The T1000 Stand Alone requires a pump to vigorously re-circulate the volume of the reaction chamber, mixing it with finely chopped air bubbles. The T1000 is designed to be run with a Rio 2100 pump (sold separately). Also included is a Filter Box with bio balls, which installs on the exit pipes, to shed micro-bubbles and increases your biological capacity. The skimmer itself is entirely Ozone ready; simply replace the vinyl airline with silicone tubing (Ozone safe tubing) to connect the ozone generator to the venturi. Either way you plumb it the Turboflotor T1000 Stand Alone is the best skimmer available in this price range and easily out-performs skimmers costing twice the price.
