The volume of water in our sea aquariums compared with the enormity of the sea requires us to remove protein mechanically.

Deltec have designed a unique system to do so.

Skimmers are a general name within the marine hobby for pieces of equipment that are designed to remove waste materials and proteins from the water column by a process called foam fractionation.

General

In simple terms a skimmer works by introducing high levels of air bubbles through a body of water containing waste materials. The waste and proteins are attracted to the air water interface and flow upwards with the surface where they can be collected. The larger the volume of air and the smaller the bubbles then the more surface area that is available to attract the proteins and the more efficient the skimmer.

Deltec Skimmers

There are 2 philosophies regarding the operation of a successful marine aquarium.

One is to is to have an average performing skimmer to take out some of the protein but also have a large amount of biological filtration to deal with the resulting breakdown from the remainder. This type of system will normally lead to a trend for rising nitrate levels.

The second way and the preferred Deltec method is to install a highly efficient skimmer that removes the majority of waste before it breaks down thus requiring less biological filtration and resulting in a lower level of nitrate that is much easier to cope with by the reducing bacteria in the system.

Deltec Protein Skimmers are renowned throughout the world for their high performance. Deltec use a unique patent pin wheel action which produces a water air mix unequalled to others.

  Photo of the Patented Deltec Pinwheel.

As the water and air enter the skimmer pump they pass through the Deltec pinwheel. This is designed to fit within the pump housing so that very little water and air passes by it without being totally smashed up and mixed together.

Performance Instruction
In order to achieve best results for AP Skimmers, it is important to supply the skimmer with the correct amount of water and to set the water level correctly as given in the instructions.

Fit a shut-off tap into the water feed line of the protein skimmer to allow exact regulation of the water flow to compensate variations of existing salinity and water pollution.

Operation with Ozone
Deltec Protein skimmer can be operated with ozone up to a maximum of 50mg/h per pump. One air connection of the ozoniser should be connected via a suitable silicon hose directly to the air inlet on the protein skimmer pump. The air will then be automatically sucked in the ozoniser by the skimmer pump.

Should the skimmer performance deteriorate please check the ozoniser for blockage.

Safety Hints
1) Never allow the skimmer pump to run dry.
2) Before starting the skimmer pump for the first time, bleed the pump by opening and closing the air hose quickly for a few seconds.