1. Water Intake:
- The skimmer pump draws water from the aquarium through an intake pipe.
2. Air Injection:
- Air is introduced into the water through an air intake valve or venturi system. This creates a mixture of water and air bubbles.
3. Foam Formation:
- As the water and air mixture passes through the skimmer's reaction chamber, the proteins and other organic compounds in the water adhere to the surface of the bubbles. This forms a foam or froth that contains these waste products.
4. Foam Collection:
- The foam rises to the top of the reaction chamber and accumulates in a collection cup or overflow chamber.
5. Water Discharge:
- The water that has been stripped of its organic waste is then pumped back into the aquarium.
6. Waste Removal:
- The accumulated foam in the collection cup can be periodically removed and discarded, effectively eliminating the waste products from the aquarium water.
The skimming action of the protein skimmer occurs as a result of the differences in surface tension between pure water and water containing dissolved organic compounds. Pure water has a higher surface tension than water with impurities, causing the organic compounds to concentrate at the interface between the water and air bubbles. As the foam rises, it carries the concentrated organic waste away from the water.
It's important to note that protein skimmers are typically used in conjunction with other filtration systems and regular water changes to maintain a healthy and balanced marine aquarium environment.