Protein Skimmer Function...

[downhillbiker]

What is the actual function of the protein skimmer?

I know it is to pull out "junk" in the tank, but what is it actually pulling out? From my understanding the fish poop, making ammonia, then bacteria turns that into nitrites, then nitrates, and then the skimmer is pulling nitrates out of the water by attaching it to bubbles?

 

[mattleycrue]

The skimmer pulls out undissolved waste before it breaks down and taxes your biological filter.

 

[jdieck]

No it will not remove nitrates, it removes stuff that will turn into ammonia and nitrates if it is not removed.
Mostly residual proteins comming from fish and food wastes as well as some organic compounds whose molecules attach to the bubbles. It may also remove some floating small particles.

What is Skimming?
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-08/rhf/index.php


"...Nearly any hydrophobic or amphipathic molecule can be skimmed out to some extent. This list includes amino acids, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, many combination biomolecules (e.g., lipoproteins, liposaccharides), RNA, DNA, etc. This list includes most, but certainly not all, organics. Fortunately, it includes many of the organic compounds that lead to yellowing in marine and reef aquaria, so skimming can help reduce the yellowing of aquarium water..."

"...I also would expect that many toxins and slimes produced by a tank's organisms are removed to varying degrees by skimming, based on the fact that many are amphipathic. Some would be expected to be readily removed, and others more slowly based on their hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity..."


"...A potential reduction of undesirably high levels of bacteria, pathogens and dissolved algae might also be a benefit. On the other hand, skimming almost certainly removes many micro- and even macroorganisms from the water column that might otherwise become food for a tank's inhabitants (as well as the organic molecules that might be food - like proteins). It is not clear how large an impact this has, but it certainly depends upon the type of inhabitant that is being considered and the skimmer's efficiency..."

"...Most highly polar organics will not be removed by skimming. Simple sugars, acetate, oxalate, methyl alcohol, choline, citrate, etc. will remain behind. They simply are not sufficiently attracted to an air water interface. Most charged species are, in fact, repelled from the air/water interface, so they are not collected. Fortunately, many of these highly polar organic materials are readily metabolized by bacteria and other organisms, so they do not continually build up in marine aquaria..."