Why do protein skimmers take a few days or weeks to work right?

sally666 · Jan 21, 2025

I tried three different protein skimmers (an air powered one, a Fluval nano in-tank one, and another brand), and their collection cups keep overfilling with water. Is there any protein skimmer that works right away and does not overfill the collection cup with too much water?

This is the next one I want to try out:

Bubble Magus QQ3 Hang on Back Protein Skimmer

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JonoH · Jan 21, 2025

From my understanding, its because the inside needs to have a biofilm coating on it which builds up as they work.

Once its cleaned off, it has to build this up again.

I'm almost 100% sure there is a better more technical explanation than that...