Do protein skimmers remove biologically toxic substances (like the toxic terpenoids leather corals produce)?
It has been widely speculated that skimmers can remove many toxic substances. Some substances such as oils and detergents will certainly be removed by a skimmer. However, other chemicals that may be released from coral would need to be investigated on a case by case basis. Can I tell if I’m over-skimming my tank? Not that I am aware of. Dr. Tanner is one of the few remaining experts in the country studying foam fractionation. Chris Stowers is a graduate student and reef aquarium hobbyist pursuing a PhD in Chemical Engineering.
