Protein Skimmers

To understand the value of a protein skimmer, it's helpful to remember that life is messy. In an aquarium, much of that mess comes in the form of proteins. When proteins break down, they produce ammonia, which enters the nitrogen cycle. This leads to an excess of nutrients and organic waste in the water—waste that can be harmful to your fish, and especially your corals. Protein skimmers help remove these dissolved wastes and excess nutrients by taking advantage of the surface tension in saltwater.

How Protein Skimmers Work

Protein skimmers work by generating small bubbles in the water, which attract dissolved organic materials. These organic materials stick to the bubbles and are carried to the surface, where they are skimmed off by the device. Essentially, a protein skimmer acts like a seafoam cleaner, removing a significant amount of waste from the water before it can break down into more harmful compounds like ammonia.

Are Protein Skimmers Necessary?

In short, no, protein skimmers aren’t strictly necessary. If your tank has an adequate amount of biological filtration, the natural breakdown of waste won’t cause problems. The excess organic material can be processed into less harmful compounds.

In nano and pico tanks (20 gallons or less for saltwater), a protein skimmer may even remove too many nutrients, which can be counterproductive. In these smaller setups, the natural filtration might suffice without the need for a skimmer. On larger, more heavily stocked tanks, however, protein skimmers can help maintain water quality for longer by removing waste before it breaks down into harmful compounds.

Choosing the Right Protein Skimmer

When selecting a protein skimmer, it’s important to consider both the manufacturer’s recommended gallon capacity and the actual size of the skimmer. While manufacturers rate skimmers based on tank size and stocking level, the size of the skimmer unit itself is the key factor. A smaller skimmer can still work effectively on a larger tank, but if the skimmer is too tall for the tank, it won’t perform optimally. While larger skimmers generally remove more waste, even a smaller skimmer on a large tank will be better than nothing at all.