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2. Theory
Protein skimming is a method of physical water treatment. It uses a phenomenon known from our
daily experience: the adhesion of surface active substances to air water layers. If we add a drop of
oil to a water surface, a thin film is produced with a thickness of only one molecule. Surface active
compounds like proteins behave in the same way. The
Turboflotor 1000
uses its air bubbles to
create a large water surface for the waste substances to attach themselves to.
These air bubbles are forced into the reactor-pipe in a such a way that they undergo a long contact
time within the counter-current. Enriched with organic substances, they rise to the top and form a
firm foam that is dehydrated and pushed into the collection cup. This method removes organic
wastes from the aquarium water before they become part of the biological waste treatment cycle.
3. Working principle of the Turboflotor 1000
The
Turboflotor 1000
is a new type of protein skimmer, developed and patented by AB Aqua
Medic. The rotation of the AB Aqua Medic needle wheel creates a reduced pressure area so that not
only water but also air is drawn into the pump housing. The air is cut into fine bubbles by the
needle wheel and the air/water mixture is pumped into the reaction pipe in such a way that the air
bubbles have a long retention time in the counter current. To further extend the contact time, a
rotational movement is created in the lower part of the pipe.
Enriched with organic substances, the bubbles rise to the top of the reaction pipe and form a
strong foam. The conical shape of the collection cup inner tube dehydrates and concentrates the
foam before it overflows into the cup. Thus organic wastes are removed from the aquarium water
before they become integrated into the biological waste treatment cycle. The needle wheel system
also significantly reduces the noise generally associated with power venturis and when coupled with
very low power consumption, optimum skimming efficiency is achieved.
The efficiency of protein skimming is not only measured by the quantity of injected air, but is also
dependant on the total engineering of the skimmer. Air quantity, turbulence and calm areas must
be in the right relationship to each other to guarantee the optimum efficiency that is achieved in
the
Turboflotor 1000.
The venturi pump of the
Turboflotor 1000
draws the water out of the the filter chamber, mixes it
in the pump housing with air which is then cut into small air bubbles by the AB Aqua Medic needle
wheel. This water/air mixture is pumped into the reaction pipe where the organic substances are
taken up by air bubbles. Foam is formed and pushed into the foam cup. The purified water leaves
the skimmer via outlet and is directed into the chamber of the post-skimming trickle filter by two
transparent pipes. From there, it flows back into the filter chamber over the trickle plate and
AB Aqua Medic Bactoballs. The AB Aqua Medic Bactoballs act as a biological filter. On the surface of
the Bactoballs, bacteria settle which reduce skimmed organic substances as well as ammonium and
nitrite.
4. Installation
The
Reef 500
external filtration system must be installed in a sump tank or cabinet which is
usually placed under the aquarium. A suitable sump tank is available from AB Aqua Medic. But any
other sump tank with the following minimum internal dimensions can be used: 50 x 20 x 35 cm (l x
w x h). It is very important that the sump is big enough to take up water that flows back in case of
a pump failure.
Connection / Pipework
The aquarium must be equipped with an overflow mechanism. From there, the water is led to the
pre-filter module of the
Reef 500
(PVC pipe, DN 40 or flexible hose). In each case, it is favorable
for maintenance reasons to put a stopcock into the pipework.
The skimmer is connected at the suction side of the pump at the air injection nozzle with a plastic
tube (25 mm in diameter) to the pre-filter module. The outflow is done over the trickle filter freely
into the filter chamber.
The skimmer must be operated with the pre-filter module in any case because it needs approx. 15
cm water level as pre-pressure for operating. This is ensured by the pre-filter module.
