- Protein skimmers are used to purify the water in fish tanks.
- There is no evidence that protein skimmers are used by legitimate supplement companies to gather protein for their supplements.
- Now that protein skimmers have been miniaturized, they are popular among fish-tank owners.
A protein skimmer is a device that removes toxins, trace elements, and organic waste from fish tank water.
Protein skimmers are becoming quite popular among fish tank owners. There was once a time when they were far too expensive and too big for the average fish tank owner to consider. However, with mini protein skimmers available, now virtually anyone can use one conveniently in their home.
However, protein skimmers are not used in the production of protein supplements.
Would you really want to eat something you just removed from your aquarium?
The process of skimming makes any element removed from the fish tank dangerous for human consumption.
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What Is the Exact Purpose of a Protein Skimmer?
Fish require very specific conditions in order to thrive in a fish tank. Typically a filtration system, as well as a pump system, is used to maintain the right balance of chemicals, minerals, and proteins in the water.
However, they cannot do this as precisely as necessary, requiring tank owners to change filters and clean their system constantly.
A protein skimmer, as seen in the video below, collects the protein elements found in the water by using oxygen via air bubbles. The protein is forced to the surface of the tank, which can then be collected — or skimmed — off the top of the water.
More expensive systems allow the proteins to be collected in a container that floats to the top of the water when it is full.
So, what is the purpose of all this? Well, if left alone, the proteins in the water will turn into ammonia, which is dangerous for your fish. They can even develop into toxins that will kill your fish.
The benefit to you as a tank owner is that your filtration system and your pump system don’t have to work as hard to maintain the health of your fish. Also, you won’t have to change your aquarium water as often, which reduces the risk of shock and death to your fish.
Because this process uses air bubbles to work, your fish will get a healthy supply of oxygen. Oxygen is necessary for the water in your tank to maintain life.
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What Is the Downside of Using a Protein Skimmer?
A major downside of using a protein skimmer in your fish tank is that while removing toxins, it also removes the good elements from the water as well.
If you aren’t aware of this, your fish could die because they aren’t getting the minerals and vitamins that are produced by the plants, food, and chemicals you use in your tank to keep the fish and the water healthy.
To eliminate this problem, after you have run your protein skimmer for the day, you will need to add back the supplements your fish need. By waiting 24 hours between uses, the fish can get their supplements and remain healthy.
Another downside is the cost. Because protein skimmers can be expensive — costing several hundred dollars — many people just don’t bother with a protein skimmer.
For very large tanks or for people who collect rare or exotic fish — which are quite expensive as well — a protein filter can increase the likelihood of their fish surviving.
Why Can’t a Protein Skimmer Be Useful for Supplement Companies?
A protein skimmer removes both good and bad elements from the water. A supplement company might want to go through an additional process of removing toxins, but they wouldn’t want to give up the nutrients that are also removed from the liquid.
However, there are a lot of proprietary processes used by supplement companies to get protein out of products. They do this in order to produce the best supplements possible which you can enjoy the benefits of.
It is possible that some processes are based on the protein skimmer devices, but it is difficult to say. Rest assured that if this is the case, you should know the FDA is on top of it.
While not monitoring the actual benefits of products created by supplement companies, the FDA does require that any U.S. manufacturers meet food safety protocols and use Certified Good Manufacturing Processes (cGMP) so you aren’t in danger.
Stick with American products and you should be okay.
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