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Originally Posted by Buddyboy
Also, Samw, i'm just curious but what is an open loop protein skimmer (with AquaC Urchin)?
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I've read that term applied to skimmers before. When referring to a reef system, a closed loop pump configuration refers to a pump that is just hung on the tank to move water around the tank. Whereas a pump configured for open loop pumps the water from one tank to another and the water somehow makes its way back to the original location (through pipes, overflows, etc). When the term is applied to skimmers, it is similar. A closed loop skimmer recirculates the water inside the skimmer and doesn't actively draw water into it from the tank. Water from the skimmer and the tank is passively exchanged through small holes or openings. An example is the Tunze 3110 and all Co-Current skimmers such as the Coralife Co-Current Super Skimmer (airstone driven). An open loop skimmer draws water from outside the skimmer, where the water is skimmed inside, and then the water is returned to its original location.
After having taken DO measurements using various skimmers, I have seen that open loop skimmers did increase DO levels in my tank whereas similarly powered closed loop skimmers did not (meaning the closed loop skimmers couldn't keep up with the oxygen demands of my tank).