Page 20 - Water and the Aquarium

GARGAS: Water and the Aquarium
Page 20
GARGAS: Water and the Aquarium Page 20
GARGAS: Water and the Aquarium Page 20
spent 8-10 hours a day on the beach through out my high school summer days
spent 8-10 hours a day on the beach through out my high school summer days
and THERE WAS FOAM ON THE BEACHES OF LAKE MICHIGAN!!! Why
and THERE WAS FOAM ON THE BEACHES OF LAKE MICHIGAN!!! Why
was I so stupid and let them convince me that Protein-Skimmers won’t
was I so stupid and let them convince me that Protein-Skimmers won’t
work in freshwater????? Peer pressure . . . wives' tales . . . rumors are rampant
work in freshwater????? Peer pressure . . . wives' tales . . . rumors are rampant
in the aquarium hobby and we have to begin asking more relevant questions of
in the aquarium hobby and we have to begin asking more relevant questions of
the people running the show! The “Why’s” and the “Why Nots”!
the people running the show! The “Why’s” and the “Why Nots”!
It’s called “FOAM FRACTIONATION”. “Foam fractionation is
It’s called “FOAM FRACTIONATION”. “Foam fractionation is
also known as protein skimming since it also allows the removal of
also known as protein skimming since it also allows the removal of
suspended and dissolved waste such as proteins before they decom-
suspended and dissolved waste such as proteins before they decom-
pose to toxic compounds. Dissolved or suspended organic particles are
pose to toxic compounds. Dissolved or suspended organic particles are
drawn by polar charges on the particle to an air/water interface. One end
drawn by polar charges on the particle to an air/water interface. One end
is drawn to the water while the other end is drawn to the air. The bubbles
is drawn to the water while the other end is drawn to the air. The bubbles
rising to the water surface form a layer of foam. Skimming off the foam
rising to the water surface form a layer of foam. Skimming off the foam
therefore removes the attached solids.” Nowhere in this article, or any other
1
therefore removes the attached solids.” Nowhere in this article, or any other
1
article I have read, does it mention that saltwater has exclusive use of Foam Frac-
article I have read, does it mention that saltwater has exclusive use of Foam Frac-
tionation, and a matter of fact, there is now one operating at Joe Gargas’ facility.
tionation, and a matter of fact, there is now one operating at Joe Gargas’ facility.
. . and it is operating FULL GUNS AHEAD and producing a “gunk” to end all
. . and it is operating FULL GUNS AHEAD and producing a “gunk” to end all
“gunk”. I have seen it and I am jealouse.
“gunk”. I have seen it and I am jealouse.
Now there are several things that should happen when you use foam
Now there are several things that should happen when you use foam
fractionation. It is best suited for a “system” (with a sump) . . . now that doesn’t
fractionation. It is best suited for a “system” (with a sump) . . . now that doesn’t
mean it won’t work on a single tank but I would think if you were going to go
mean it won’t work on a single tank but I would think if you were going to go
through all of the trouble to build a freshwater protein-skimmer you ought to get
through all of the trouble to build a freshwater protein-skimmer you ought to get
maximum bang for your bucks. Freshwater foam fractionators tend to be larger
maximum bang for your bucks. Freshwater foam fractionators tend to be larger
than their saltwater counterpart . . . but that’s not necessarily true. In theory it
than their saltwater counterpart . . . but that’s not necessarily true. In theory it
should work in either case . . . the major problem seems to be to produce the
should work in either case . . . the major problem seems to be to produce the
quantity and size bubble to accomplish the task. Normal freshwater airstones
quantity and size bubble to accomplish the task. Normal freshwater airstones
may not get the job done. Bigger stone air diffusers and/or venturis are often
may not get the job done. Bigger stone air diffusers and/or venturis are often
used!
used!
Let’s take a look at Joe’s Foam Fractionation unit:
Let’s take a look at Joe’s Foam Fractionation unit:
Top
Top
of
of
Unit
Unit
Bottom
Bottom
of
of
Unit
Unit
To Table of Contents
To Table of Contents