Nanotank Protein Skimmer

[3monthsin]

If you have a nano tank or a small tank that you do not have a protein skimmer on, then the only way that you are removing protein from your water is going to be by water change.

In order to remove some of the protein content off the top of the water between water changes, if you see a film, for example, simply tear off a piece of plastic wrap and layer on top of your tank on the water as flatly as you can. Then pinch it in the center and pull it off the water and you will be able to see the protein and scum sticking to the plastic. It amounts to a 3 cent protein cleaning.

I believe that it works through the static action on the plastic. The plastic has a charge that will attract proteins when put in intimate contact with them.

Good luck, and if you try it, let me know how it works for you.

[SaltyMist]

Hey, that worked out okay, but Im all thumbs when it comes to saran wrap, stuff keeps sticking to itself you know.

But when I finally got it apart, I probably sucked up 1/2 of the scum later on the top of my nano tank in the first go, but then was too tired to try and fight with tearing off anoter sheet.

Thanks for the tip.

[Ludwigia]

I use paper towels, but will try seran wrap next.
The way it works is actually from the surface tension. It works the same way as when the protein is collected on the surface of the bubbles. In effect, you are actually skimming protein mechanically, not electrically. The final result is completely correct, the theory behind it is not quite right.

[3monthsin]

Not sure I agree.

I know protein is sticky. In the lab, we knew we had isolated protein in a test tube when we shook the tube and bubbles formed. The protein was sticking to itself.

The reason it's sticky, I think, is because it's charged, and the charge, both postitive and negative along the strand, make it stick to various things.

I first decided to try this when I saw a film of protein on a plastic cup I had used to remove water from the tank. The film was incredibly stuck on the cup.

So I tried platic wrap and I got the same result. It's not a mechanic removal, like pulling out the water, because the protein is stuck to the plastic, not simply moved by it.

Ludwig, try it. It works great, and I'm guessing it's not as messy as paper towels.


Thoughts?

[doobie]

Yes electrostatic attraction. Saran Wrap prefers to be negatively charged (see "triboelectric series") and what you are for the most part removing with protein skimming will be cationic.

This probably isn't a very efficient method. Good protein skimming relies on constantly generating huge fresh air/water surfaces to maximize air/water contact. But hey it's almost certainly better than nothing.

Good work.

And maybe you heard AquaC is working on a nano-sized skimmer for release later this year?!

[3monthsin]

Nano skimmer? Sounds interesting.

As for the plastic wrap, yes, I have no idea how much of the total protein it removes.

As for protein skimming in general, I'll have to wait for a bigger tank before i see what the fuss is about. I have been running my tank for about 5 months, and my nitrates have never gone over 10, and all I do is change the water, no skimming.

[Ira]

Aqua c remora is coming out with a nano skimmer during the summer.
Also - great to use is an aquaclear surface skimmer which can attach to any aquaclear filter.

[scrummyotool]

just buy a picelo skimmer :D its a lot easier

[Ludwigia]

What is a picelo skimmer? a yahoo search turned up nothing

[tangwang]

It is actually spelled "Piccolo" skimmer. It is a compact series of protein skimmers manufactured by Sanders. You can get more info on them Here (http://www.aqua-sander.de/produkte/piccolo.en.html).

Matt

[noone]

Maybe you need this

DIY hang on skimmer, only 2 o 3 dlls, this skimmer is working in 5 gallons tank.

Original design of Undertheradar in nano-reef (http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30941)

(click in the pic)

http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/nanoskimmertn.jpg (http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/nanoskimmer.jpg)

http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer01tn.jpg (http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer01.jpg) http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer02tn.jpg (http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer02.jpg) http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer03tn.jpg (http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer03.jpg) http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer04tn.jpg (http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer04.jpg) http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer05tn.jpg (http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer05.jpg)

http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer06tn.jpg (http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer06.jpg) http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer07tn.jpg (http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer07.jpg) http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer08tn.jpg (http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer08.jpg) http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer09tn.jpg (http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer09.jpg) http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer10tn.jpg (http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer10.jpg)

http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer11tn.jpg (http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer11.jpg) http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer12tn.jpg (http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer12.jpg) http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer13tn.jpg (http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer13.jpg) http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer14tn.jpg (http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer14.jpg) http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer15tn.jpg (http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer15.jpg)

http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer16tn.jpg (http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer16.jpg) http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer17tn.jpg (http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer17.jpg) http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer18tn.jpg (http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer18.jpg) http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer19tn.jpg (http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer19.jpg) http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer20tn.jpg (http://galeon.com/nanoreef/nanoskimmer/Skimmer20.jpg)

[RUSS49MERC]

That is awesome great work it really looks like it is woorking good. :D :D you or someone should make and sell those :!: :P HECK I would buy one don't have the time or the patience to make one. :mrgreen: :D :mrgreen: :D :mrgreen: :D