What does a protein skimmer do and what is foam fractionation?
A. Technically: “Foam fractionation is method of separation in which a component of the bulk liquid is preferentially adsorbed at the liquid/vapor (L/V) interface and is removed by foaming” 1972, 31, 609 – IUPAC Compendium Of Technical Terminology, 2nd edition (1997). Protein skimming is a (slightly) less technical term that is used in the aquarium industry to describe the process of foam fractionation. What is most important is to understand what a protein skimmer does in your aquarium. Due to the effect of fractionation in seawater (your aquarium), the net result is a removal of DOC’s ( Dissolved Organic Compounds – i.e. fish waste) BEFORE they are oxidized (broken down) into toxic chemicals like Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate. This means less bad stuff in the water and less stress on the animals! Producing the largest volume of the smallest bubbles and allowing them to react with the aquarium water for the longest time possible – i.e. a Euro-Reef protein skimmer, achieves the most eff
