Skimmer

[kiwis]

Does a skimmer remove ammonia or nitrates? I've google it a it says nitrates but I'm not sure this is correct as it also says "They remove organic waste before it has a chance to break down" but by the time organic waste has become nitrates it's already broken down...

https://www.liveaquaria.com/article/240/?aid=240

 

[Montiman]

Yes this is true. Protein skimmers remove larger organic molecules before they break down.

 

[kiwis]

So really it's removing stuff before it becomes ammonia?

 

[Montiman]

Basically. A skimmer helps to reduce the total bioload of the tank by removing large organic molecules before the brake down into ammonia. Then the nitrogen cycle takes over. This is one of the reasons why skimmers are so useful they remove waste before it becomes a problem and they literally remove it from the water and don’t just catch it or absorb it.