Is a protein skimmer really necessary?

[deltablack22]

Is there enough of this wave action to "skim" the massive volume of the world's oceans? For your theory to be more sound, you'd have to explain where the foam comes from, since the ocean doesn't have airstones or reaction chambers.
Yeah, why not? Think about the ammount of shoreline across the world. I think its quite obvious the ocean doesnt have airstones and reaction chambers... Call me crazy but when waves break they create bubbles/foam, I didnt think that one was too hard of a concept to grasp.
Anything thrat breaks down, though, would find it's way back into the system, either by leaching into the ground and back into the water table, or by evaporating and later becoming rain, or countless other processes. Basically, there's no way for these materials to be removed forever.
Not if it was consumed by bacteria or other organisims.

 

[sflasurfer]

In a lot of the salt water aquarium books I have read they go into great detail how waves are natures skimmers. And living in huricane central I have witnessed this first hand. High winds produce this brown foamy stuff somtimes 10"thick if you take that and add the nomber of linear miles it covers in a heavy storm you would be amazed if you google natures skimmers on the internet there is some great pictures and videos on this. To sum it up IMO a skimmer is one of the most important pieces of your filtering system in the long run. I use and recommend the BERMUDA brand it can be pricey but in the long run highly worth it.

 

[anonome]

Originally Posted by fumanchu88
Are Jebo Skimmers "cheap" http://cgi.----.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=010
I have a jebo skimmer in my closet.....worked great for about 6 months, then the seal on the collection cup cracked and disgusting goo went behind the tank. What a mess. I would say to stay away....far away.
I have an aqua c remora pro skimmer that although not the most expensive skimmer out there, it is up there in price. It has never given me a single bit of trouble and started to pull skimmate from the first day.
Check in the classified section of this board, I have seen many types for sell.

 

[srfisher17]

1.) I agree with Anonome Aqua C remoras are great skimmers at a reasonable price. I know ---- is flooded with Jebos, but they don't seem to be available at the big online stores--must be a reason.
2.) Comparing what goes on in the ocean with what happens in the confines of an aquarium is impossible. It would be like comparing the air in my bathroom to the entire earths atmosphere.

 

[kellen85]

waves are definatley the skimmers in the natural ocean. as far as there being enough waves to do this, think of currents and quakes all over oceans that move water around the whole earth

 

[rbaldino]

Originally Posted by DeltaBlack22
I think its quite obvious the ocean doesnt have airstones and reaction chambers... Call me crazy but when waves break they create bubbles/foam, I didnt think that one was too hard of a concept to grasp.
Is the concept of how a skimmer works too hard to grasp? Bubbles are created in a reaction chamber and rise through the water column. During that time, organic material is attracted to the bubbles. The organics rise with the bubbles and are released in the collection cup. Going by your theory, the bubbles/foam aren't created until the waves break on the shore, meaning there's no time for any organic material to bond to the bubbles, meaning it wouldn't work.

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by kellen85
waves are definatley the skimmers in the natural ocean. as far as there being enough waves to do this, think of currents and quakes all over oceans that move water around the whole earth
Waves are a big part of the ocean's oxygen/CO2 exchange process. Water is oxygenated (tank or ocean) at the surface. Airstones don't do diddly when it comes to putting oxygen into the tank and IMO, they look artificial. Anything that disturbs the surface of the water will help renew the oxygen and expel the CO2. Pump returns, skimmers powerheads,(yes, airstones disturb the surface too) all help this exchange. In the ocean, heavy waves and storms help "turn over" the water; bringing cooler water up and....this is beyond ny knowledge...but waves do neat stuff. I sure don't see how they remove organics like skimmers do, however. (If they do, the Hudson River is the collection cup!) Sorry, couldn't help it.

 

[bjoe23]

i was asking same questions
and got all answers in this thread
thaks guys