This article has a great overview of why one should use a protien skimmer. I know first hand that the use of a skimmer is important. Mine has been on the fritz for a while and since then my algae growth has boomed. Algae loves my tank right now.
Read on for why YOU need one!
Everything you need to know about Protein Skimmer
Aquarium fish keeping has always been considered an very pleasant and rewarding hobby. This delightful and fascinating activity is becoming increasingly popular among the American youth. If you like to keep fish as pets, then learning to maintain your fish tank or pond is of absolute importance for the health and happiness of your fish. Using a protein skimmer is one aspect of pond upkeep that must never be ignored.
A protein skimmer is a filtration device that removes undesirable proteins and other organic residue present in the water before they start decomposing to become harmful and toxic nitrogenous waste like ammonia and nitrite. Skimmers are relatively simple in design – it comprises of a glass chamber to store a column of water, a bubble generator and a waste collection compartment.
Why Use a Protein Skimmer?
When a skimmer is installed, streams of bubbles from a bubble generator are injected into the water column to create a huge water/air interface. This interface draws in most of the undesirable organic molecules because of their hydrophobic water-repelling nature. This accumulation of organic waste continues till the water/air interface gets saturated and foam formation starts. The foam carries the gathered waste to the top of the water column, where it gets transferred into a waste collection cup and removed by emptying the cup. Therefore, a protein skimmer is also known as a foam filtrator.
What a Protein Skimmer Does
Other than getting rid of organic wastes and residue from the water, a protein skimmer also does the following:
- Remove some inorganic impurities like phosphates.
- Remove any toxins released by corals or invertebrates present in the aquarium.
- Ease the burden on the biological filter.
- Restricts algae build-up and removes bacteria.
- Increases the oxygen level in the water.
However, it may also remove natural food sources like plankton and trace elements like iodine, which are required for reef aquariums.
How to Use a Protein Skimmer?
Positioning is the one of primary considerations while using a protein skimmer. For optimum efficiency, it should be the first device in the filtration system. It can be placed inside the pond if there is enough room or outsidethe pond. Remember, for your protein skimmer to work efficiently, you need to clean it from time to time – the larger the collection cup, less frequent the cleaning. A tiny collection cup may require emptying on a daily basis.
How to Select a Good Protein Skimmer?
Firstly, you must decide on its placement. Secondly, think about how much time you are willing to put in on its upkeep. Most importantly, how much money you are willing to put in and whether you want any accessories like an ozonizer. Protein skimmers are available in a wide range of designs, sizes and prices – the more costly ones require less upkeep and are easier to install. Whatever the case, try to buy a protein skimmer with a huge collection cup. Also remember, the stronger the bubble generator, the more efficient is the protein skimmer.
John Roberts is the webmaster of PondCreation101.com. Visit his site for more free tips on how to create your very own pond in your garden.
By John Roberts
Published: 4/17/2008
via Buzzle.com.
This skimmer uses the 
The system works by bringing the tank water into an intermediate chamber,and if the foam production increases, and the water level rises, the chamber has outlets to release water to reverse the overflow. If the unit continues to overflow the water then reaches the pump air tube (connected to the intermediate chamber) where it flows into the pump stopping the production of bubbles (and thus foam) allowing you to determine the source of the problem before returning the pump to normal operation.
A protein skimmer is in place to remove unwanted protein and organic waste from your water before it is in a state where it can be consumed by unwanted algae and other organisms in your tank. It does this by building up a froth of bubbles through pumped water. The bubbles are collected in a cup that then settles to produce a tea like liquid. This is then discarded. The liquid contains the unwanted protein and organic matter.
have a look at this Wikipedia article.
In a quest to find the perfect controller and Skimmer for his system, the creator of 
