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4.3. 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 Percula 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.
The venturi pump of the Turboflotor Percula draws the water out of the aquarium or 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 the air bubbles. Foam is formed and pushed into the foam cup.
The cleaned water flows to the bottom of the skimmer back into the aquarium or the filter
chamber.
4.4. Set-up
The Turboflotor Prcula is designed for the use in Aqua Medic Percula aquarium. Of course it can
be used in any other well-circulated filter chamber. It is not recommended to use the skimmer
direct in an aquarium because then it might be difficult to maintain the pump. In the Percula
aquarium, the skimmer is just placed in the first filtration chamber of the filter and can be started.
4.5. Starting / Performance
The system can be started when the Turboflotor is correctly installed. After switching on the
pump, air is automatically drawn into the skimmer. To minimize the noise level, connect the air
intake hose with the blue connecting piece of the sound absorber. Fix the sound absorber on the
aquarium or filter system by using the retaining plate.
The needle wheel breaks the air into small bubbles. This method eliminates the greater proportion
of the noise. The quantity of drawn air should be adjusted so that 75 % of the reaction pipe is filled
with air bubbles. After the initial start, some hours may pass before the first foam is pushed into
the collection cup. This is due to a reaction between the surface of the acrylic glass and the
aquarium water. Charge balancing has to take place beforehand. After a maximum of 24 hours, the
foam should be pushed evenly into the collection cup. The quantity of liquid and organic substances
is dependent on the pollution of the aquarium.
Adjustments: Due to the construction, air and water mixing is done automatically and no
adjustment is required. It is, however, depending on the water level in the filtration chamber. In
the percula aquarium, this water level can be adjusted by means of the adjustment plate for water
level in the inflow compartment to the trickle filter. This adjustment plate can also be used for the
regulation of the skimmer. If the water is heavily polluted and therefore, there is a massive foam
production, the bayonet socket (3) can be placed onto the elongation piece (5). In this case, the
cover of the percula will not fit anymore. After a short time, the foam production should be
regulated so the short bayonet socket can be used again and the elongation can be removed.
Air bubbles: If the skimmer is added to an existing aquarium, there may be a high concentration
of organic substances already dissolved in the water. This results in very tiny bubbles in the
skimmer. These tiny bubbles remove the organic substances effectively. However, it may be that
some of these bubbles are drawn back into the aquarium. After a few days, the concentration of
organic substances will have decreased to such low levels that this effect will have gone and the
water flow is free of air bubbles.
Some types of frozen food may have the same effects. It is best to defreeze and wash the food
prior to feeding the fish. The air bubbles will stop after a short period by themselves.
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