Keep Your Aquarium Water Clean With Reverse Osmosis and Protein Skimmers

ByFerenda Quispe

One of the most important things for a well-functioning aquarium is clean water. Given that the aquarium water is standing still, waste from the fish and food accumulates easily and this provides an environment for harmful bacteria and toxic material to develop. The wastes also tamper with the PH level of the water by increasing the nitrates concentration in the water. This is why regular aquarium maintenance is necessary and crucial for the health of the fish. You can be able to detect this using the aquarium test kits but since you cannot keep on changing the water and to avoid any such incidence occurring, you will have to use reverse osmosis filters and protein skimmers.

These two are effective ways of keeping your aquarium clean and safe without you having to constantly be there checking and unsettling the fish. Starting with reverse osmosis, this is a basic filtering method that uses simple technology yet very effective. It works by having the water passed through different layers of barriers, which remove impurities and bacteria. From large particles to the smallest of impurities, this method provides clean pure water yet retains the most essential minerals. It also helps control the PH of the water in the tank. The aquarium water is thus ridden of the bacteria and viruses and the food particles and other wastes thus clearing up the water from cloudiness. The great part about the device is that it is affordable.

There are several such filtering devices in the market and you will have to select one that fits your budget, and also depending on the impurities you will be dealing with. When it comes to protein skimmers, these have the role of ridding your aquarium of organics, oils, and proteins, which facilitate the outbreak of algae and also harm the coral hindering their growth. The skimmers also have other functions in the aquarium, these include improving water clarity, improving dissolved oxygen, preventing the buildup of carbon dioxide, and lowering nutrients loads, which if unchecked could turn toxic. They thus save you much effort in aquarium maintenance, as you do not have to keep on cleaning the water. The skimmers function 24/7 and the only work you have to do is clean them at least once a week for improved performance.

The working of the skimmers depends on the bubble size and contact time. The smaller the bubble size the larger the surface area that can be cleaned meaning much of the waste is removed. On the other hand, the longer the contact time the skimmers have with incoming water, the more the waste and harmful organic matter is removed. The aquarium has to be kept clean yet too much physical maintenance unsettles the fish and also interferes with your time making the exercise tedious and unwelcome. However, with reverse osmosis, aquarium filters and protein skimmers, you can avoid this problem yet keep the aquarium clean. It is important to keep in mind that the larger part of maintenance is in getting the right quality accessories.

Ferenda Quispe is the author of this article on Aquarium Air Pumps.
Find more information, about Dosing Pumps here

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Saltwater Aquariums - Protein Skimmers For Saltwater Aquariums

Introduction

A saltwater aquarium is a neat addition to the home or office. But you will need to recreate the conditions of the ocean to have a successful and healthy aquarium. One way to create this condition is to have a protein skimmer or foam fractionator.

Why I Need Protein Skimmer

Nature works at keeping the ocean clean by creating tides to constantly replace the dirty water with cleaner water. Plus the action of the waves produces foam that removes ocean contaminants. Your saltwater aquarium is a microcosm of the ocean and needs to create the same conditions that the ocean does.

The protein skimmer will create this condition for you. This devise will remove unhealthy contaminants such as dissolved organic compounds and other material from your aquarium.

This material comes from fish waste, bacteria, uneaten food and decomposing matter such as dead plants. If this material is left in your aquarium they will break down to toxic ammonia and nitrites and will eventually turn into nitrates.

How A Protein Skimmer Works

The protein skimmer creates a condition similar to the ocean to remove the unwanted material. The skimmer will produce bubbles that attract waste material such as dissolved organics. As the bubbles rise in the column they will create foam.

This foam is just like the foam you see on the surface of the ocean or the foam that is washed up on the beach. This foam created in the protein skimmer is collected in a collection cup preventing it from returning to your aquarium.

The waste that is captured in the collection cup is called skimmate and needs to be removed periodically to keep the skimmer operating efficiently.

Which One To Buy

There are several different designs of protein skimmers you can choose from. Whichever design you choose ensure the bubbles they create are small. Smaller bubbles rise to the surface slower and have a larger surface area. This allows for a better capture of waste material than you would receive with larger bubbles that rise faster and have a lower surface area.

Also make sure the skimmer you select will handle the volume in your tank. It is better to have one that is designed for a larger tank than one for a smaller tank. This will ensure optimum efficiency and less maintenance.

Conclusion

A protein skimmer is a necessary part for your saltwater aquarium. It will keep you aquarium and fish healthy and happy by removing wastes that can decompose to toxic chemicals such as ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.

J.W. Chase is an amateur Aquarist who has successfully been keeping both fresh and saltwater aquariums for over 35 years. He has extensive knowledge on how to manage an aquarium, keeping all his fish healthy and smiling. His web site has information on keeping salt water aquariums so if you want more tips, strategies and secrets on how to manage a saltwater aquarium go to his site http://homesaltwateraquariums.blogspot.com.

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