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Of course skimmers today are much more efficient, and the mutations I mentioned have brought about units that are far more able to remove organic and other pollutants from the water than earlier models.
The basic, and what can be considered the original protein skimmer, was nothing more than a plastic or PVC cylinder through which aquarium water was flowed, while air was injected in conjunction with the water. Both air and water were running in the same direction (mono- and uni-current models of the columnar type, using wooden air stones and an air pump). It is what we would consider today the most basic model of skimming and is, oddly enough, still used.
It should be clear that these models were not very efficient. Every technology needs a beginning though, and this was one that would change the saltwater hobby forever. Protein skimmers indeed added a totally new dimension tot water purification. All this, thanks to the insights of Guido Huckestedt.
Obviously, refinements were necessary and were developed rather quickly after the original models appeared on the market.
Input and modifications proposed by researchers such as Tunze, Wilkens, Smit, deGraaf, Spotte, Dehaan, Wojcik, and even myself, and others still, quickly led to the appearance of more sophisticated models.
Counter-current models were soon developed, delivering yet a higher skimming efficiency due to the greater and longer contact time between the air bubbles and the water. In counter-current models the air flows in one direction and the water in the opposite, as the name implies.
Soon thereafter multi-current models appeared, foam fractionators where water is running through the skimmer several times before exiting it and re-entering the main water body of the aquarium. This is achieved by building internal chambers within the skimmer column.
This is a rather recent development, yet sales of these units seem to be high and are holding up quite well. Getting these skimmers to run properly is a little bit of a challenge though. Patience and diligence eventually allows hobbyists to utilize these skimmers at optimum efficiency though. Many modify them somewhat and use different (stronger) pumps than the ones recommended by the manufacturer of the skimmer.
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