Can I skim clean water?

[darkgumby]

I am thinking of trying to DIY a small protein skimmer for the nano that I plan to setup.

I don't have any of my equipment yet, I'm still saving up the bux.

 

I've seen the plans for cheap skimmers made of plastic bottles and PVC. I want to experiment and see if I can get a small one working to put in the 'fuge.

 

What I need to know is can I get some fresh, clean, saltwater from the LFS and then use it to test my designs? Will I get foam if the water doesn't have any dissolved protiens in it?

[SaltyDawg]

You'll get faom but it will be slopy wet foam that will fill up your catch bowl or what ever you are gonna use for a waste container with sea water. Try to get some old water for the test somthing that had fish in it. That will definately let you know. You could save your self a trip by using some old diry fresh water from your fresh water tank and add salt to get the right gravity then skim it in a small container and see what happends.

 

I have tried many designs and have for the most part all failed.

But then again I suck at prefabbing plasticks and acrylic.

 

Make sure your design is air tight. all the way to the waste chamber with a small vet on top of your chamber.