Just a few questions?

What is the difference between a surface skimmer and a protein skimmer?

What does a surface skimmer do?

Could you use a surface skimmer on a freshwater tank?

Thanks Guys. :lol:

Asking the difference between a surface skimmer and a protein skimmer is like asking what the difference is between apples and country music. They're not really even related. A surface skimmer is an intake that sucks off the top of the water. Blows air through the water making a foam of proteins, water and air and then collects the foam removing it from the tank.

Surface skimmer takes the crud off the surface of the water... as lots of crud ends up on the surface it is an efficient way of removing and keeping the surface clean. An overflow weir can effectively be a surface skimmer. it always removes the top part of the water column.

Protein skimmer extracts organic material out of the water by creating lots of water bubbles and the organic material sticks the water bubbles. The top bubbles have more organics attached to it and is collected by a cup and then thrown away.

oh, i thought they might even be the same thing :lol: :lol:

The filter I have brought has a surface skimmer attachment or something, should I use it for freshwater tank?

Hi AD, we use our Surface Skimmers on our Frontosa tank... freshwater is fine

If you want to. Just means it takes water from the top instead of the bottom. Handy in larger tanks if you get a build up of crud on the top. You'll work out what you prefer by using it.

Weither the water has salt in it or not is irrelevant.

Protein skimmers are completely different, their only similarity is the word 'skimmer', and they certainly don't come free with a cannister filter :lol: :lol: rather pricey for a good one, and no they aren't useful on freshwater setups.

The filters we have takes water from bottom intake while surface skimmer is attached. The skimmer is attachable.

Thanks guys :lol:

is it possable to put a proten skimmer on a FW? and if so would it help reduce the nitrates?

Oh and take note: If the water level is below the skimmer intake on the Aqua Ones, it will suck air in. But with skimmer attached, it sucks from both points, the bottom intake and skimmer.

is it possable to put a proten skimmer on a FW?

Yes but it wont do anything

and if so would it help reduce the nitrates?

No

What does reduce nitrates in freshwater aquaria are water changes and/or plants.

is it possable to put a proten skimmer on a FW? and if so would it help reduce the nitrates?

Sure you can use them on freshwater tanks. you cant use any protein skimmer as it has to be designed for freshwater. they are expensive.

They will reduce nutrients thus reducing nitrates.

They are no good for planted tanks as they will remove all the co2