proetein as mechanical?????????

[ibrew4uandi]

I just got a turboflotor 1000 . Can this replace mechanical filtration??? Just a question. I know I could research this more but I like the interactive nature of this board.
Thaqnksd
mike
ps. looking for a mastiff to adopt.

 

[wolfeel]

Protein skimming is chemical filtration, there is reaction at the air/water interface...producing foam and removing organics and inorganics. What are you using for mechanical now? Mechanical is the physical removal/trappng of particles, i.e. floss, pleated filters etc... You should have all three types of filtration in your aquarium, biological, mechanical and chemical.
wolfie

 

[wolfeel]

Notice that I did not say that PS wasn't a form of mechanical, my opinion is that it fits more as chemical. There are two schools of thought and different aquarists have different opinions.
Surfactant compounds in the water are pushed totally out of solution (i.e.,not just trapped in floss), as the Protein Skimmer takes advantage of the hydrophobic properties of the organic molecules.
I wouldn't get rid of your mechanical filter if you are adding the protein skimmer, each type of filter complement each other.

 

[ibrew4uandi]

I had a filstar xp3 with only mechanical media in it. I have about 160lbs of live rock for bio but went cheap on the sand(teachers can't fully support their reef tanks ;-))and just got a skimmer. The tank seems just as clear or clearer than when I had the filstar running. It just takes longer to clear up after I mees it up.
Mike