Archivarium 2004

[UMdmd]

Can a protien skimmer work in a brackish water tank?

[Agent Smith]

they don't work in brakish as the water viscosity is too low and dosnt form the right bubble shape or somthing to preform well.
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-Jared B
http://www.tropicalresources.net/progeny for fish keepers 12 to 17.

[Filtration Master]

Wrong you can Use it in Brackish, You just won't collect as much foam
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85 Gallon Marine Tank
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[tdfd]

If you are not collecting as much foam then thy are not working properly and I would not want to put 100+ $'s into something that does not work right.
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Fish are food not friends!

[Filtration Master]

This is a general Outline
Low Salinity=Less Foam
High Salinity=More Foam.
Also it depends how much organics are in the water as well.
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85 Gallon Marine Tank
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[MarkLehr]

The primary reason most aquarists use a protein skimmer is for the removal of organic waste. Organic waste tends to collect at the surface of the water column in a saltwater aquarium due to the density of the water. As such, with a surface skimming protein skimmer, the effectiveness is greatly enhanced. You really can not generalize an answer to your question, especially when you consider the differences in "protein skimmers." Truth be known, most hobbyist do not have true "skimming", becuase they lack a surface skimmer and do not get the full benefit of organic waste skimming anyhow. However, there are many other benefits to skimming, and the unit will actually remove some organic waste from any aquarium or pond.

All that being said, for all practical purposes, a skimmer would be an unnecessary expense in a true brachish environment with brachish fish. However, if you already have the skimmer by all means use it because you will definately get some benefits.

The short answer to your initial question is "Yes."

[Filtration Master]

I agree with with MarkLehr. I have True Skimming on my tank beacuse I have the Internal overflow which draws water directly from the surface to my skimmer in the sump. Good idea pointing that out Mark. Anyway as you read above what I said, Less Salt etc = Less Foam. This is because the higher the salt value the density is changed creating more of a organic Film on the surface as where Brackish Enviroments have low levels of Salinity.
But Your Skimme rif you have one will reap some benefits, but just don't excpect a cup full of foam every day or two.
_________________
85 Gallon Marine Tank
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