40 Skimmer

The skimmer is an adsorption filter for organic substances and compensates the gas balance of the aquarium at the same time. Along with the live stones, it is the main component of the BERLIN system.

A precondition for the operation of a skimmer is the generation of small gas bubbles. In aquaristics, these are usually produced by wooden diffusers, injectors = venturi, needle wheels or filament wheels. All gas bubble generation systems have their advantages and disadvantages.

The inflowing water is mixed with the gas bubbles and reaches the actual skimmer. The gas bubbles rise in a water column. Organic substances can attach themselves to the gas bubbles by adsorption. Because proteins can also be adsorbed, the term protein skimmer is often used.

In the upper part of the skimmer, the gas bubbles condense and form a foam (normal foam), which is continuously drained. At the upper end, the solid "protein foam" flows into a cup. For operation, the gas bubble generation unit and the upper part of the skimmer must be cleaned regularly and the pot emptied.

The second important task of the skimmer is to regulate the gas balance. Fish and other animals produce carbon dioxide and consume oxygen in return. Algae and zooxanthellae produce oxygen and consume carbon dioxide during the day - a perfect win-win situation. At night, however, algae and zooxanthellae also consume oxygen and produce carbon dioxide - the balance is no longer there, so there is an oxygen deficit at night. The skimmer ensures a balance by intensively mixing the air bubbles with the water: the too much carbon dioxide is discharged and the missing oxygen is added to the water.