In short, it's the aquarist's most valuable tool in their quest for acquiring their most important goal – excellent water quality!īefore leaving this foam aspect, every quality skimmer has a pump size recommendation for optimum performance. A small deficiency, such as reducing levels of some valuable trace elements, can easily be overcome with the use of trace element additives. The result, especially in aquaria is much improved water quality! In fact, it's the reason why water used in the process should come from areas near the aquarium 'surface!' Other benefits are also received from the skimming process, e.g., it helps to maintain reasonable pH levels, reduces nitrate accumulations, oxygenates the water, reduces excessive carbon dioxide levels helping somewhat to minimize unwanted algae, and reduces the accumulation of un-needed heavy metals. Hence, accumulating Dissolved Organic Compounds including toxic organic substances such as terpenoids from soft corals and/or Caulerpicin from macroalgae are attracted to the water's surface or that of the air bubble, where it can be removed/exported from the aquarium's water via the 'foam' produced. Their hydrophobic or non-polar ends are attracted to air. Their hydrophilic or polar ends prefer to face water. It's that foaming process, i.e., a method that involves a special group of unwanted compounds called 'surface-active' compounds or 'surfactants' that tend to collect near or on the water surface because they are bipolar. Mother Nature uses the skimming process to care for her oceans! The foam developed by waves crashing over reef crests or seen when waves roll onto beach sands and leave foam at their high point on the sand are the end result of the protein skimming process. With that resolved, decided to give the product a test that in my opinion would be more than just the standard 'hook it up to an aquarium and wait days for a result!' Before discussing the actual test, first a little background on the skimming process, then the unit itself. With that very clear, Red Sea said, 'check it out and tell us exactly what you think,' as they wanted a review from a totally independent and well experienced source in the hobby, not a source tied to advertising or selling the product. And since I didn't initiate this product test, made it clear if I found faults or inadequacies with the unit, no review would see daylight until they were corrected. Keep in mind that over the past couple of decades I've seen skimmers of all sizes, various prices, and wonderful advertising claims, some that were not anywhere near being worth their price or claimed results. And when Red Sea asked if I would be interested in testing their new C-Skim 1800 model, I of course said yes, as I've seen it advertised and really wondered if it was all it was said to be. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.Īs a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business.There's been much discussion as to the value of protein skimming over the past 10 - 15 years, all of which resulted in that the process is an extremely important component in what is universally considered the aquarist's most important goal, i.e., maintaining high quality seawater! I should also add that I've been a major player in those 'discussions' along with writing about the process itself and testing some of the skimmer models available in the marketplace. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.īBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.īBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment.
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