SKM Protein Skimmers: Engineered for Purity
For too long, protein skimming has felt like a dark art, full of vague claims and inconsistent results. We decided it was time to pull back the curtain and let science lead the way.
Introducing the SKM Protein Skimmer range—redesigned from the ground up.
By focusing on the core principles of foam fractionation—precise air/water mixing, optimal contact time, and controlled flow dynamics—we've engineered a system that delivers unparalleled performance and reliability for both saltwater and freshwater applications.
The Flaw in "Standard" Dwell Time—And How We Fixed It.
Let's be direct. A dirty secret in the skimmer industry is how "contact time" is calculated.
Many brands simply take the skimmer's total body volume and divide it by two to claim a "2-minute dwell time." Some even include the volume of external plumbing and the riser tube inside the collection cup in their calculations!
It can't work this way.
It doesn't work this way.
And we know it.
(and PS, so do other skimmer manufacturers as well)
This flawed math (among the many other factors that are overlooked) ignores the most critical factor in a reaction chamber: air displacement.
A skimmer full of an air/water mix has a vastly different effective volume than a skimmer full of just water. Ignoring this reality means their stated dwell times are inaccurate, and you likely have an undersized skimmer that is underperforming from day one.
Other manufacturers know this, and they still don't fix it.
And we got tired of it being ignored.
So, we fixed it.
Instead of using a convenient but incorrect formula and overall approach, we engineered our SKM skimmers around the laws of fluid dynamics. Our designs compensate for air displacement, internal mixing dynamics, and other critical hydraulic factors. We designed AROUND these very real and very significant variables to ensure you are getting what you paid for.
This is how we deliver a true 2-minute dwell time—creating the engineering standard that everyone has been waiting for.
The Difference with SKM
Our design philosophy is simple: superior engineering delivers superior results. BTA skimmers are built to remove the maximum amount of organic waste, leading to crystal clear water, healthier livestock, and a more stable aquatic environment.
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Fully Recirculating Design: Our skimmers operate on a fully recirculating principle. This decouples your system's turnover rate from the skimmer's internal contact time, allowing you to independently control water input and air injection. The result is ultimate precision and the ability to fine-tune performance for any bioload.
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Industry-Leading Air Injection: With independent control, you can introduce an unprecedented volume of air to create a dense micro-bubble vortex. More air means more surface area for proteins to bind to, resulting in more effective and rapid waste removal.
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Engineered for Maximum Contact: A true two-minute dwell time ensures that every bubble has the maximum opportunity to attract and capture dissolved organic compounds before they can break down further.
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Efficient Needlewheel Pumps: Each skimmer is powered by our needlewheel pump, designed to shred air into exceptionally fine bubbles. This increases the critical air-to-water interface, dramatically boosting skimming efficiency.
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Automated Cleaning System: The integrated auto washdown feature keeps the skimmer neck clean, preventing performance drop-off and reducing manual maintenance. It is fully compatible with both freshwater and saltwater.
The Science Behind the Skim
A protein skimmer, or foam fractionator, works by removing dissolved organic compounds (DOCs) like proteins and amino acids before they decompose.
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Generating the Air-Water Interface: Our needlewheel pumps inject a massive volume of air into the water, creating a dense cloud of micro-bubbles. This creates an enormous surface area where air and water meet.
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Attraction & Adhesion: Organic waste molecules are naturally attracted to this air-water interface. They adhere to the surface of the bubbles.
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Concentration & Removal: As the bubbles rise through the skimmer's reaction chamber, they form a stable foam. This foam concentrates the collected waste, pushing it up into the collection cup where it condenses into a liquid (skimmate) and is permanently removed from your system.
The design of the SKM protein skimmers optimises every stage of this process—from the size and density of the bubbles to the flow dynamics within the chamber—to ensure waste is removed with unmatched efficiency.
Key Features at a Glance:
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Fully Recirculating Design: Independent control over water input and air injection for ultimate performance tuning.
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Choice of Materials: Available in crystal clear Acrylic for full visibility or industrial-grade Polypropylene (PP) for maximum durability.
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Ozone Compatible Construction: Built with ozone-resistant materials and includes a dedicated ozone port.
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Fresh & Saltwater Auto Washdown: Reduces maintenance and ensures consistent performance.
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True 2-Minute Dwell Time: Maximises organic removal efficiency.
Your System, Your Choice: Custom Materials, Sizes & Pumps
We believe high-performance equipment should adapt to your needs, not the other way around.
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Material Selection: Choose the material that best suits your application. Opt for crystal clear Acrylic for complete operational visibility, or select industrial-grade Polypropylene (PP) for ultimate durability and chemical resistance in demanding commercial or industrial environments.
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Custom & Commercial Sizing: Beyond our standard models, BTA offers fully customized skimmer solutions. Whether you require a unique footprint for a tight sump or a large-scale fractionator for an aquaculture facility, our team can design and build a skimmer to your exact specifications.
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Venturi-Driven Systems: While our needlewheel pumps offer incredible efficiency, we understand the preference for the robust simplicity of traditional venturi skimmers. If you prefer not to use a needlewheel pump, we will engineer your skimmer to work with your pump of choice. Our team will match it with the correctly sized venturi to ensure maximum performance and reliability.
Contact us to discuss your custom requirements.
Technical Specifications & Model Comparison
Choose the SKM Protein Skimmer engineered for your system's specific demands. The table below outlines the performance metrics for each model in our range.
Pricing & Material Options: Prices are based on our standard Acrylic construction. Please contact us for a quote on Polypropylene (PP) options or for any custom configurations.
What's In The Box?
- SKM Protein Skimmer Body
- Needlewheel Skimmer Pump(s) as per model specification
- Gate Valve & All Required Fittings
- Air Silencer & Tubing
- Auto Washdown Head
- Instruction Manual
Please Note: A separate feed pump is required to supply water to the skimmer. This allows you to select a pump that best matches your system's specific flow requirements as detailed in the table above.
Ready to experience the new standard in aquatic filtration? Choose your BTA SKM Protein Skimmer model below.
