For over forty years, innovation has been at the heart of aquarium technology, and the latest breakthrough in protein skimming comes from the experienced team at Seachem Laboratories. Introducing the AquaVitro Division Protein Skimmer, a product designed to elevate aquarium filtration by addressing common issues found in modern skimmers. This article delves into the features, design philosophy, and unique advantages of the AquaVitro Division Skimmer — a must-have for hobbyists seeking efficiency, versatility, and ease of maintenance.
Table of Contents
- Understanding the Evolution of Protein Skimmers
- External Pump Design: Benefits and Maintenance
- Versatility: Recirculating Skimmer Configuration
- Innovative Noise Reduction: The Dual-Chambered Silencer
- Minimizing Microbubble Release: Protecting Your Corals
- Durability and Design: The Collection Cup
- Support and Availability
- Conclusion: Why Choose the AquaVitro Division Protein Skimmer?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Understanding the Evolution of Protein Skimmers
Protein skimmers have undergone significant changes over the past few decades. While many manufacturers have shifted towards the popular conical designs equipped with internal pumps, this approach often presents limitations. Internal pumps can complicate maintenance routines and reduce the critical water-to-air exposure time required for optimal skimming.
At Seachem Laboratories, with their extensive history in aquarium product development, a different path was chosen. The AquaVitro Division Skimmer was engineered to overcome these challenges, focusing on accessibility, performance, and adaptability. By stepping away from the conical internal pump design, the Division skimmer provides a fresh perspective on what a protein skimmer should be.
External Pump Design: Benefits and Maintenance
One of the standout features of the AquaVitro Division Protein Skimmer is its external pump mounting. Unlike many skimmers that nestle the pump inside the skimmer body, this design choice offers numerous practical advantages:
- Easy Maintenance: The pump can be removed and serviced without having to extract the entire skimmer from the sump, saving time and reducing stress on your aquarium setup.
- Maximized Contact Time: With the pump outside, the skimmer body has more space internally, allowing bubbles and water to interact longer. This increased contact time improves the skimmer’s efficiency in removing dissolved organic compounds.
- Improved Water-to-Air Exposure: The design promotes better mixing of air and water, a crucial factor in protein skimming effectiveness.
Additionally, the external placement of the pump means fewer obstructions inside the skimmer column. This enhances water flow and bubble distribution, which translates into better skimming performance and easier maintenance access.
Versatility: Recirculating Skimmer Configuration
The AquaVitro Division Protein Skimmer isn’t just a one-trick pony. It offers a unique versatility that allows it to be configured as a recirculating skimmer with the addition of a second pump. This feature is especially valuable for advanced hobbyists and those managing larger or more demanding aquarium systems.
How does this work?
- The secondary pump recirculates water within the skimmer body, increasing the interaction time between water and air bubbles.
- While recirculating, the system continuously feeds new water into the skimmer, ensuring effective filtration without stagnation.
- This enhanced contact time boosts the skimmer’s ability to extract organic waste, resulting in cleaner, healthier aquarium water.
This flexibility makes the AquaVitro Division Skimmer highly adaptable to varying aquarium sizes and bioloads, providing a tailored filtration solution that grows with your aquatic environment.
Innovative Noise Reduction: The Dual-Chambered Silencer
Noise is often an overlooked factor in aquarium equipment, but it can significantly impact the enjoyment of your hobby. Protein skimmers are notorious for their operational sounds, which can be disruptive in quiet home or office environments.
Seachem Laboratories tackled this problem head-on with the AquaVitro Division’s innovative dual-chambered silencer design:
- Air entering the silencer first passes through a primary chamber that begins the noise reduction process.
- It then travels through a secondary chamber equipped with multiple baffles, further dampening sound.
- This dual-layer approach significantly reduces the typical noise produced by protein skimmers.
- The silencer is fully disassemblable, allowing for straightforward cleaning to maintain performance and longevity.
- It can be mounted in several positions on the drain spillway, giving you flexibility in setup and noise management.
With this thoughtful design, the AquaVitro Division Protein Skimmer operates quietly, preserving the peaceful ambiance of your aquarium space.
Minimizing Microbubble Release: Protecting Your Corals
Microbubbles released from protein skimmers can irritate sensitive coral polyps and disrupt the aesthetic clarity of aquarium water. The AquaVitro Division Skimmer addresses this with two key features:
- A built-in sponge that traps fine bubbles before they escape into the display tank.
- A fine filter sock that further prevents microbubbles from passing through.
These components ensure that your corals remain healthy and stress-free, while your aquarium water stays crystal clear and visually appealing.
Durability and Design: The Collection Cup
The collection cup is a critical part of any protein skimmer, as it collects the concentrated waste foam that the skimmer extracts from the water. The AquaVitro Division Skimmer features a collection cup made from robust polycarbonate with a molded handle for easy removal and handling.
- The cup is designed for durability, resisting wear and tear from regular use.
- An optional drain is available to facilitate easy disposal of collected waste without removing the cup entirely.
- The ergonomic handle simplifies cleaning and maintenance.
This thoughtful design ensures that routine maintenance is effortless and mess-free, encouraging regular upkeep for optimal skimmer performance.
Support and Availability
For those interested in adding the AquaVitro Division Protein Skimmer to their aquarium setup, Seachem Laboratories offers excellent customer support. Questions can be directed to support@c-chem.com, where knowledgeable staff provide assistance and guidance.
Additionally, finding a retailer that stocks the Division Skimmer is made easy through Seachem’s dealer locator, available on their website at www.acovito.com. This resource helps hobbyists quickly locate authorized sellers near them, ensuring access to genuine products and warranty support.
Conclusion: Why Choose the AquaVitro Division Protein Skimmer?
The AquaVitro Division Protein Skimmer represents a thoughtful reinvention of protein skimming technology. With its external pump design, versatile recirculating capability, innovative noise reduction system, and microbubble control, it offers a comprehensive solution tailored to the needs of modern aquarium enthusiasts.
Whether you are a beginner looking for reliable filtration or an advanced hobbyist seeking customizable performance, the AquaVitro Division Skimmer delivers on all fronts. Its durable build, ease of maintenance, and support network make it a smart investment for maintaining pristine water quality and healthy aquatic life.
As always, when it comes to aquarium care, just add water — the AquaVitro Division Protein Skimmer will do the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes the AquaVitro Division Protein Skimmer different from other skimmers?
The Division Skimmer features an external pump design for easier maintenance, increased water-to-air contact time, and versatility with a recirculating option using a second pump. It also includes a unique dual-chambered silencer to reduce noise and components to prevent microbubble release.
Can I use the AquaVitro Division Skimmer in any size aquarium?
Yes, the skimmer is designed to be versatile and can be configured to suit various aquarium sizes, especially with the option to add a secondary pump for recirculating operation that enhances performance in larger tanks.
How does the dual-chambered silencer work?
The silencer reduces noise by passing air through two chambers separated by baffles. This process significantly lowers the operational sound of the skimmer, making it quieter than many traditional models.
Is the skimmer easy to clean and maintain?
Absolutely. The external pump can be removed without taking out the entire skimmer, the silencer is fully disassemblable, and the collection cup has a molded handle and optional drain for hassle-free cleaning.
Where can I buy the AquaVitro Division Protein Skimmer?
You can buy the AquaVitro Division Protein Skimmer directly through Jungle Aquatics.
