Sure this has been asked before

[Paulie069]

What is a protein skimmer and what is it’s function or purpose

 

[Jon Fishman]

It removes waste from the water by aeration. Turns the waste/water into a nasty foam that is collected and removed. It basically recreates the foam you find at beaches etc

Protein Skimmer just sounds better than poop skimmer

 

[Greatdane]

You beat me to it jon

 

[Gareth elliott]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-08/rhf/index.php
If wanted the technical answer lol

 

[Paulie069]

You beat me to it jon

Ok I get it I definitely need one my seahorses poop constantly

 

[Jon Fishman]

Ok I get it I definitely need one my seahorses poop constantly

What do you use for filtration now? Seahorses are pretty tough to keep from what I hear

 

[Paulie069]

What do you use for filtration now? Seahorses are pretty tough to keep from what I hear

Just a HOB from Walmart but I go thru a lot of filter cartridges. A three month supply last only one month. It is hard on upkeep but it’s worth all the time n trouble

 

[motortrendz]

I gotta get you hooked up with a friend of mine. Hes also here in jersey hes a reefer like myself. And I'm all about the sump and mechanical filtration and a giant skimmer. He is running a banister filter with a HOB(hang on back) skimmer and has a successful mixed reef. He could probably point you in the right direction to keeping it simple and going cost effective (cheap) filtration.

 

[Paulie069]

I gotta get you hooked up with a friend of mine. Hes also here in jersey hes a reefer like myself. And I'm all about the sump and mechanical filtration and a giant skimmer. He is running a banister filter with a HOB(hang on back) skimmer and has a successful mixed reef. He could probably point you in the right direction to keeping it simple and going cost effective (cheap) filtration.

Thanks I’ll take all advice and help I can get

 

[MERKEY]

A really good way to think of filtration is nutrient export.

Running water through a sponge doesnt remove any waste from your tank.

Water changes right now in your situation sound like the only way you are removing the nasties and adding good stuff.

By adding equipment like a protien skimmer and a Refugium it adds a removal and import system for those nasties and goodies. So now you are adding nutrient export with the protien skimmer and if you use a Refuge filled with cheato or other benificial algea as well as some rock from the ocean in it and you are adding another layer of export and a way of importing good stuff into your tank on top of water changes.

So really you aren't even using a filter with any sponges or floss.

The way you catch the sea horses is amazing and I really think it's cool you trying to keep some of them.

I would also suggest grabbing some rock from the ocean if you can and always grab water to refill your tank from the ocean too!!

 

[Paulie069]

A really good way to think of filtration is nutrient export.

Running water through a sponge doesnt remove any waste from your tank.

Water changes right now in your situation sound like the only way you are removing the nasties and adding good stuff.

By adding equipment like a protien skimmer and a Refugium it adds a removal and import system for those nasties and goodies. So now you are adding nutrient export with the protien skimmer and if you use a Refuge filled with cheato or other benificial algea as well as some rock from the ocean in it and you are adding another layer of export and a way of importing good stuff into your tank on top of water changes.

So really you aren't even using a filter with any sponges or floss.

The way you catch the sea horses is amazing and I really think it's cool you trying to keep some of them.

I would also suggest grabbing some rock from the ocean if you can and always grab water to refill your tank from the ocean too!!

I always use ocean water because it’s easy for me to get

 

[Paulie069]

I always use ocean water because it’s easy for me to get

Also want to mention that I’m getting a new large tank right after the holiday with a real filtration system so I’m trying to cram all this new info into my routine

 

[Billdogg]

What is a protein skimmer and what is it’s function or purpose

A protein skimmer is a thing that skims proteins ;)

Ever been to the beach and there's a bunch of foam? Natures protein skimmer. Makes you wanna just go play in it, huh???

For any but the smallest tanks with very low bioload, they are a nearly indispensable tool to help keep the inevitable waste under control.

 

[Paulie069]

A protein skimmer is a thing that skims proteins ;)

Ever been to the beach and there's a bunch of foam? Natures protein skimmer. Makes you wanna just go play in it, huh???

For any but the smallest tanks with very low bioload, they are a nearly indispensable tool to help keep the inevitable waste under control.

My new system comes with one I just found out today. Heck with Christmas I can’t wait till Saturday. That’s when I get my set up

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

What is a protein skimmer and what is it’s function or purpose

I'm going to give you the most simplest example what a protein skimmer is and obviously it's function or purpose. You know the waves at the beach and all that white foam we see right at the edge of the sand and ocean meet, well a protein skimmer does the same effect as that white foam that we see when we go to the beach that white foam has fatty acids and dissolved organic products and that's how the ocean gets rid of them by the waves pushing them against the sand or rocks. I haven't used one for a while but I'm leaning towards using one to help with my filtration system.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

I always use ocean water because it’s easy for me to get

Same here, ocean water for me