Protein Skimmer - Increase O2 in the tank.

[geoff_tropheus]

Does anyone think a Protein Skimmer would help increase the oxygen content of the water just from the bubbles and agitation, or would a equal gph flowing powerhead at/near the surface do the same thing?

Thanks,

Geoff

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Protein Skimmer - Increase O2 in the tank.

In a sw tank it greatly increases the o2 content of the water and you can see that in the pH change alone.....you also have the option of running the air venturi feed line outside to draw air from outside of the house........only problem is that with freshwater it doesn't work as well.

[Mzungu]

Re: Protein Skimmer - Increase O2 in the tank.

Do you mean the actual skimming ability doesn't work as well in freshwater, or the ability to increase oxygen, as well?

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Protein Skimmer - Increase O2 in the tank.

Both.....the bubbles don't stay micro like they do in saltwater but I am sure you can get around it.

I have a skimmer body that came from one of those wet/dry-skimmer combos that I was gonna try and rig up to be a re-circulating skimmer....if anyone wants to pay for the parts that I plan on using to get it going it's there's to try.

[Zulaab]

Re: Protein Skimmer - Increase O2 in the tank.

your problem with a skimmer is that the salinity of saltwater is what allows the bubbles to stay ultra small... ie the salinity is what holds the bubble compact and does not "bond" with other bubbles to form bigger bubbles..
A power head I would believe would do a 10x better job in a freshwater environment than attempting to hook up a skimmer.

[txfatcat]

Re: Protein Skimmer - Increase O2 in the tank.

I have wondered the same. I heard that it may also raise the pH levels in freshwater.   If it kept the pH stable at say 7.8-8.3  then would I not have to buffer the water at every change to get it to these levels?

[geoff_tropheus]

Re: Protein Skimmer - Increase O2 in the tank.

If you can get the CO2 out then no way to make carbonic acid.  But I believe the most driving force in making the pH go down is Nitric Acid from the Nitrate buildup.

[txfatcat]

Re: Protein Skimmer - Increase O2 in the tank.

I buffer the water to get it up. But only a little bit

[geoff_tropheus]

Re: Protein Skimmer - Increase O2 in the tank.

I buffer also with Tang Buffer and Baking Soda to about 8.2 to 8.4

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Protein Skimmer - Increase O2 in the tank.

The skimming in the tank will only raise pH if the co2 levels in the tank are driven off and if the air feed for the skimmer provided air with low co2.

I have a skimmer that is rated for a 150g on my 30g and it only brought my pH up about .1-.2

With the bubbles going into the skimmer you can somewhat control it for use on a FW tank for the purpose of decreasing co2 by modding the needle wheel on a NW skimmer as well as adding airstone/pump to th mix.....then add a recirculating pump to lengthen the contact time. Honestly though you could probably accomplish the same thing by adding a powerhead with the venturi attachment installed beneath the bio-ball section of your wet/dry if you are running one.

[txfatcat]

Re: Protein Skimmer - Increase O2 in the tank.

Hey thats a great idea. I have a air wand under the bio-ball section to help increase air water exchange.


By putting a power jet under there this would stir up all the left over poop in the bottom and help circulate everything. I Like that alot better. I will have to see if I have any power heads laying around. I just gave most of them away. It would also push air under the bio media and I would be able to remove the air wand and pump.