Protein skimmer

[Tempestuousfury]

What is it?

I've got some bowls with fry in which I but egg-based products that cause a skin on top of the water. Is this the "protein" or am I way off?

 

[Eelzor]

Don't worry we all learn . Protein skimming, also known as foam fractionation, is accomplished by using a protein skimmer. The purpose of a protein skimmer is to remove DOC's (Dissolved Organic Compounds) from aquarium water, thus improving the quality of the water. But the Protein skimmer is for saltwater aquariums only. You can use it for freshwater aquariums too, but it would be pretty much useless.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Ok. So that makes me feel foolish, but oh well.

Any way that I can keep this layer of film from forming on the surface of the water? The obvious answer is to switch foods, but my hatchery doesn't produce enough shrimp to feed all of my fry.

 

[Eelzor]

The "skin" on top of the water maybe harmful, yet I have never heard of such thing. I saw somewhere that it can stop the surface from breaking up and no oxygen may get in, but then again, that only applies to oil's and the like and I am not completely sure if the "skin" on top of your tank is harmful or not though.

 

[DrOizo]

Is this skin due to fry food floating on the surface. I break up the skin in my fry hatchery (Its a floating perspex one with slits in it) by swishing it about through my main tank. I also use a meat baster to suck up the skin and deposit it into my main tank where the other fish like to eat it

 

[Tempestuousfury]

The skin is in the two bowls. I have a small fishbowl and a small betta bowl in which I put egg yolk (liquid fish food, but that's the main ingredient). I believe this is the cause of the skin because it doesn't occur when I don't feed them that stuff. It's thin and easy to remove, so that's not the problem. I just want to know how to keep it from happening.

 

[Opcn]

If you have an overflow filter (one where the intake is slightly below the surface and pointing straight up) It takes the scum off but can suck in fry.

Opcn

 

[Tempestuousfury]

I don't think I can get a filter for the bowls. They're too small, as are the fish. I'll try to vary the food now that they're older, maybe that'll do the trick.