aquariums and fish-only aquariums need the support of a good protein skimmer so that a proper filtration system is in place.
Aquariums Having Invertebrates
Aquariums that contain invertebrates like crabs, shrimps, crayfishes, molluscs, etc., fall into this category of fish tanks.
Since these invertebrate creatures have the tendency to discharge harmful toxins into the freshwater or saltwater of the tank, it becomes really very important that you install a protein skimmer so that the toxic wastes do not affect the survival of other biological beings.
Reef Aquariums
Reef aquariums are those that shelter the rich, vibrant corals that have a tendency to discharge waste into the aquarium environment. These waste substances have a negative impact on the health of the other creatures living in the same tank.
That is why it is very important that you go for a good, user-friendly protein skimmer that functions effectively.
Things To Keep In Mind While Choosing The Right Protein Skimmer
Investing in a protein skimmer is a good idea, but how will you know if you are investing in the right one?
The market is strewn with loads of skimmers, but you must be cautious before finalizing your purchase. To ensure that no one can beguile you into purchasing a poor-quality protein skimmer, we have come up with a list of the factors that you need to keep in mind while going on skimmer shopping.
Let’s see what these are!
Budget
Irrespective of the type of tank that you wish to keep in your tank, no matter if it is a saltwater or reef tank, it is very essential to keep yourself confined to a budget.
This is because you will have to invest in a bunch of items such as the entire aquarium setup, fishes, food and the creature’s maintenance. If you don’t keep yourself restricted within a certain amount of budget while buying a skimmer, you will unknowingly end up spending more than will ever be required.
Do a bit of research by calculating the price of each component. Then, fix an average budget and stick to it. Don’t worry, you won’t have to compromise on the quality. You will get a good protein skimmer while sticking on a fixed budget too.
Size Of The Aquarium
Look for those protein skimmers that can perfectly fit within your fish tank and can handle the volume of water present in the aquarium.
Always bear the aquarium size in mind while shopping for protein skimmers. Depending upon how large or small your aquarium capacity is, select the protein simmer.
Strength Of The Skimmer
Before investing in a protein skimmer, make sure that it is powerful enough to function in a 100-gallon tank.
Even if you have nano reefs or house sensitive creatures inside the fish tank, purchasing a 100-gallon skimmer is advisable as it would have the capability to deep-cleanse the water and remove any toxic substance that might be present in the tank.
Size Of The Skimmer
Pay proper attention to the size of the skimmer while purchasing it. This is because if you have got a very large aquarium, a small skimmer won’t work well.
Similarly, if you own a small aquarium, a large skimmer won’t be fitted properly. In such a case, you have to invest in a skimmer that is compact and won’t take up much space in the already small fish tank.
Now that you know which factors you need to bear in mind while buying a protein skimmer, let’s have a look at the qualities and reviews of the top protein skimmers.
Top Protein Skimmers For The Fish Tank & Their Reviews
#1: Bubble Magus BM-CURVE 5
Bubble Magus BM-CURVE 5 protein skimmer is the ideal choice for every aquarist and beginner. This is an easy-to-use skimmer and has a compact size. So, you can place it even in a small space in an aquarium. You can use it in any tank having a capacity of up to 140 gallons.
Since this protein skimmer releases small air bubbles, your tank stays completely clean and removes all kinds of impurities from both the saltwater aquariums and freshwater aquariums alike. The small bubbles are more effective at filtering the wastes.
The SP1000 internal pump along with its curved body makes it a more beneficial choice as its filtration system is simply amazing. You get a 1-year warranty at the time of purchasing this.
#2: SCA-302
SCA-302 is a good choice for anyone who owns a reef aquarium or saltwater aquarium. It is an in-sump protein skimmer and operates well in any tank having a capacity of up to 180 gallons.
It comes with a very large collection cup where the foam along with the toxins is stored. One demerit of this skimmer is that you need to clean and wash the skimmer at least every month. Otherwise, it becomes cloudy and picks up dirt quickly.
#3: SIMPLICITY 120DC
This protein skimmer of the SIMPLICITY brand is very easy to handle and works fine in any tank having a capacity of up to 120 gallons.
It comes with a very easy-to-handle DC pump speed. You can make the filtration system work at a rate for your tank system that you find convenient. This skimmer is equipped with a needle wheel that scrapes the air and water, thus leading to the formation of tiny bubbles. All kinds of wastes are completely removed from the water surface of the aquarium.
The bubble plate present in the skimmer releases the mixture of bubble and water into the cone. Thus, all the organic pollutants are eliminated from the aquarium. If you have a very large aquarium or fish tank, this is definitely going to be a good skimmer choice for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do protein skimmers remove phosphates from the water?
Protein skimmers work effectively to remove phosphates and wash up the cloudy tanks. The vigorous algae growth is also arrested by the skimmers.
Can nitrates be removed from the aquarium by the protein skimmers?
Before the nitrogen is broken down in the water, the protein skimmers remove nitrates from the aquarium.
Do protein skimmers function all the time?
Basically, there are two kinds of protein skimmers- one that functions full-time and another that functions part-time. Depending upon the type of aquarium, it can be ascertained if the protein skimmer functions all the time or part-time.
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