What does protein skimmer mean exactly?

[nigerrabit]

Can anyone explain ***************the purpose of a protein skimmer? Now I know I don't need one if I just have fish but if I add Anemones I now need one? What do they do exactly? Why can't I just have a power head if I have like 1 Anemone? I know they make the water cleaner and give a better turn over rate but why do Anemones and other coral need them? Do I still need my regular filter system if I have one? What do power heads do with out the skimmer?
Thanks in advance,
David

 

[lion_crazz]

I would say you need one regardless of what you are keeping. That is my opinion and I am sticking to it. No saltwater tank should go without a protein skimmer. They remove a lot of the things that should not be in the water, and thus, are neccessary whether you are keeping just fish or a full blown reef tank.
And yes, regardless of whether you have a skimmer or not, you still need your regular filter and powerheads. Filters take out large particles of waste and are good for running carbon, and powerheads move the water so that waste does not accumulate on the bottom.
Powerheads and protein skimmers add A LOT of oxygen to your tank, which, in the process, helps it stay cleaner and healthier for your fish.
With all the money spent on our tanks, and how delicate the animals are that we keep, there is no room to cut corners, especially important ones like protein skimmers.

 

[nigerrabit]

Lion I got this skimmer off of ----.. Item number is 7744190103. How does it look to you. Also what up keep do I need to do with it? Some people put theres in there sumps, but I can just put this to the back of my tank correct?

 

[lion_crazz]

That skimmer looks pretty good to me. It is a hang-on the tank model, so you just put it on the back of your tank.

 

[fishmamma]

My layman's explanation: skimmers are acutally foam fractitioners. They ideally skim the water's surface via the power head. The water is pumped into a chamber where air is released into the water creating a foam. This foam bubbles up carrying with it protein type wastes into a collection cup where the organic wastes called skimmate can be removed. You will sometimes read of the downsides of 'overskimming' but this is not a problem for most of us, especially if you are running with a high bioload.

 

[chadman]

any suggestions on good hang on the back protien skimmers which i could add to my powerhead and box filter set up?

 

[weberian]

AquaC Remora, Coralife Needle Wheel, CPR Bak-Pak 2. You can see everyone's going crazy over the Corallife last couple of days.
What did you pick up at lfs today, Chadman?

 

[chadman]

my g father ended up getting put in the hospital so i never made it today but i will be there soon....i was there two days ago and got a red and white brittle star but did not know about drip acclimation...well now i have been trying to fish his dead carcus out of the middle of my biggest piece of live rock...i am really having a hard time...now i know all about drip acclimation!!

 

[chadman]

i can check it out if you dont know but off the top of your head what does that coralife unit go for?

 

[weberian]

For aquariums up to 65 gal: $89.99
For aquariums up to 125 gal: $149.99
Sorry about your g-father.

 

[chadman]

thanks..
that is not so bad price wise...i have a 30g so the cheaper one will be fine...is it easy to hook up do u know?