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1.
Working principle
The
Miniflotor
is a small inside protein skimmer for aquaria up to 200 l volume. It is characterized
by the double reaction pipe that makes it a real counter flow skimmer.
The air bubbles rise in the inner pipe. Like an air lift, they take a high volume of water with them.
This water is forced to flow downwards in the outer pipe. The air bubbles follow the water stream
downwards until they reach the expansion cone. At this point, the air bubbles turn and rise in the
counter-current upwards. This ensures a very high detention time of bubbles in the water.
2.
Equipment
The
Miniflotor
is supplied with a strong holding plate that allows a secure fixing of the skimmer at
the tank’s wall. The holding system allows to move the skimmer up and down and to adjust the
foam building zone correctly. The reaction pipe can be changed depending on the water level
(immersion depth approx. 33 cm or 20 cm). There are two pipes included in shipment.
The
Miniflotor
is delivered completely with an air stone. For starting, you only need an additional
air pump (approx. 200 l/h).
3.
Theory
Protein skimming is a physical method of water treatment. It uses a common and well-known
phenomenon: the adhesion of surface active substances to air-liquid layers. If you drop some oil on
a water surface, it forms a thin film, only as thick as one molecule. Surface active substances, e. g.
proteins, behave similar. In the Miniflotor, a huge water surface is created where the waste
substances attach. When the bubbles reach the surface, stable foam is created where organic
wastes are accumulated and removed from the water.
To work effectively, the
Miniflotor
needs a contact column where water and air can react. The air
is injected into water by an air pump and air stone.
4.
Dimensions:
Total length including foam collection cup:
approx. 450 mm resp. 330 mm
Diameter of reaction pipe:
50 mm
5.
Ozone
The effectiveness of the
Miniflotor
can be increased by using ozone. Ozone oxydizes lots of
organic compounds that can be skimmed off then or metabolized by bacteria in the biological filter.
The size of ozoniser depends on the size of aquarium. Ideal is a combination of Ozoniser and Redox
Potential Controller. With this, the amount of ozone is controlled automatically.
6.
Cleaning
The foam collecting cup is not fixed on the reaction pipe. For cleaning, it can easily be removed.
After removing the top, the cup can be cleaned under running water.
From time to time, depending on the waste concentration, the reaction pipe can be cleaned, too.
7.
Failures
The
Miniflotor
is easy to maintain. Only the air stone has to be changed if it is clogged due to
deposits.
8.
Parts of the Miniflotor
The
Miniflotor
consists of the following parts:
