Just like how you need fresh, clean air to breathe, so do the fish in your aquarium. Thus, water treatment and purification is essential in keeping your aquarium safe for your fish. One of the devices that can help you do that is a protein skimmer. Through this device, you take out organic wastes from the water and keep them from becoming ammonia and nitrates that can harm your fish.

A protein skimmer works by separating the organic waste present on the water through air bubbles. This process is also called foam fractionation. The idea is that when air bubbles pass through the water, it attracts the waste in the water. The bubbles, together with the waste, then rise up to the surface of the water, and the foam created can then be collected and removed. This results in cleaner water that can be returned to the tank's water supply. The water is kept purer longer, which ensures the health of your fish and also reduces the need for frequent water changes in the aquarium.

There are different methods with, which you can clean the water through air bubbles. But whatever the method, there are three main qualities that you should look for in a protein skimmer. These are the amount of the air bubbles, the size of the bubbles, and the length of time the bubbles come in contact with the water, or dwell time. When you speak of air bubble amount, more is better. More air bubbles mean there are more bubbles to clean the water with. As for the size, they should be small so they can filter the water thoroughly. The recommended bubble size is from 0.5 to 1 mm. For the dwell time, the longer the bubbles have contact with the water, the more the bubbles can filter and absorb organic waste.

There are three general types of protein skimmers you can choose from. These are counter current, venturi, and turbo protein skimmers.

A counter current skimmer works by blowing air bubbles against the water flowing in a different direction. For this to work, you will need a separate water and air pump. You need a long tube to ensure full contact between the water and air bubbles. Since this is usually placed inside the aquarium, the length of the tube is decided by the height of the aquarium.

Venturi protein skimmers depend on water pressure and a venturi tube for filtration. Water is pressurized and then shot into a venturi tube. The venturi tube is narrow at one point of the tube, and has an air intake tube near the constriction point. As pressurized water is forced through, this creates a difference in pressure, which sucks in air from the intake tube and creates the air bubbles. The water flows through a reservoir, which increases contact or dwell between the air bubbles and the water for better water purification. The advantage to this type is that you only need a water pump, and that it has more dwell time, which makes for more effective water treatment.

Turbo protein skimmers, also called needle wheel skimmers, work by combining air and water then forcing them through a blade to create air bubbles. The water and air mixture are forced through the blade, then through a reservoir by a water pump. As the water is forced up through a tube, it creates more contact between the water and air bubbles for better water purification.

Aside from the three qualities of a good protein skimmer, you also need to consider its installation. You should look for one that can be easily integrated with your current filtration system. You also have to look at the additional equipment that you need to get, like water pumps or air pumps. Placement is also important, such as whether it's in-tank or hanging out from the rim.

Another factor you must look at is the price. This will depend mostly on your budget. Though you can get a protein skimmer at $50, you should also expect that the quality is not that great. If you do have extra cash to spare, you should select the more expensive ones. In the end, your choice will depend on the size of your wallet by the time you need to buy one.

Guss Fitzgerald is an expert writer and aquarist. He has gained a great understanding of aquarium protein skimmers and other aquarium products from his several years of experience keeping aquarium fish. To find out more about proper aquarium maintenance please visit MarineDepot.com.