Berlin Air-Lift 60 Internal Protein Skimmer (12.5"H; 60)
Lime wood air stone.Separate water inlet and water outlet.Triple air pass.Can be disassembled completely for easy cleaning.Compact design.Can be installed in aquarium, filter sump or filter compartment.Air pump not included.Protein skimming is a method to efficiently remove waste materials from seawater by absorption of dissolved organic substances to fine air bubbles. The substances involved (for example proteins leached out of fish food) tend to assemble at air-water surfaces. A protein skimmer creates an enormous air water surface as numerous fine air bubbles are blown in. The combined rising of the dirt covered air bubbles and the turbulence inside the skimmer create a stable foam that is pushed into a collection cup. The benefit of a protein skimmer lies in the fact that once the waste materials are skimmed off, they are excluded from the water flow, preventing bacteria from decomposing these organic compounds e.g. to nitrate and phosphate. Since it removes their food source, a protein skimmer also reduces the amount of harmful free floating bacteria.When air is administered to the Berlin Air-Lift, a continuous stream of fine air bubbles will rise into the inner tube. The air bubbles also draw aquarium water into the skimmer (air-lift effect). The inner tube opens into the outer tube holding the foam cup. In the first pass of the air bubbles, from the air-stone up through the inner tube, foam will be formed and pushed into the foam cup. The water will flow down the outer tube, drawing with it a significant amount of air bubbles. The outer tube ends at the air return skirt, forcing the air upwards, against the current, in the direction of the foam cup. The water without air will flow back to the aquarium via outer tube and air return skirt.