How does the Filter work compared to the Skimmer?

[Skirlasvoud]

I've made it to the 5th level in this game and I'd say I'm moderately experienced.

The one thing I haven't been able to figure out yet however, is how the Protein Skimmer works compared to the Water Filters.

Whenever I need to raise the water quality of my Tank, I just place the Water Filter and Skimmer side by side and go with whatever boosts the quality the highest. Sometimes, usually when I already have a lot of filters, the Skimmer works best. Sometimes, usually in the beginning, filters work best.


But for a more comprehensive understanding, can anyone explain to me what the two components interact with each other exactly?

[BU4U Gaming]

From what I have understood, they don't interact with eachother. They just both add to the quality of the water. Could be wrong though.

[EveningBird]

Could be that the skimmers compliment the filters, as in giving it a boost.

[Skirlasvoud]

Originally posted by BU4U Gaming:

From what I have understood, they don't interact with eachother. They just both add to the quality of the water. Could be wrong though.

True, but I'm confident that they add to the quality of water, each in their own way. You'll notice the icons and name of their functions are different.

Again, skimmers seem to work best when you already have a lot of filters and vise versa, but I'm not sure of that myself.

Could be that Filters add a % and Skimmers add a flat value... more research on my part, or more info from someone more knowledgeable than me is required.

Originally posted by EveningBird:

Could be that the skimmers compliment the filters, as in giving it a boost.

That'd be one of my theories. I'd just like to know for sure.

[Sasha]

In reality, protein skimmers play a vital role in the maintainence of coral aquaria. What the protein skimmer does is to work in tandem with filtration systems to keep the alkalinity and ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels stable and within parameters. They do this by creating a great deal of turbulence and gaseous bubbles through the use of venturi valves - which corals require - and siphoning off waste matter into a collection recepticle.

The filter does the heavy lifting, filtering out the majority of the waste product in the water column of the aquarium and jetting the water back through into the system. What the skimmer's main job is, is to skim the material and detritus that is less dense than the water off of the top of the water. This prevents the collected waste from the top of the water (mainly lipids and protein) from breaking down and releasing ammonia - which would kill the corals if it builds beyond ~10 parts per million.

You can think of it this way:

The filter works to do the main job of the filtration and the skimmer tunes the tank to be at the best possible set of parameters to allow the corals to thrive. It's not technically the whole story, but is a close enough approximation.

In-game, you really should only be using protein skimmers on coral setups, even though IRL, skimmers are vital on all saltwater tanks.

[Skirlasvoud]

Hah! Love it whenever someone pops in with clear knowledge of Real-Life aquariums.

The game doesn't seem to distinguish between the filtration of dense and less dense materials though. It distills it into just one measurement: Water quality. And you don't appear to need skimmers as long as you have enough filters. (Though I guess, even IRL, enough filters or skimmers would do the job. It's just very wasteful.)


But your explanation is very insightful and goes a long way towards explaining what might be happening. This line's up with EveningBird's theory that they work in tandem and that the powers of both of them need to line up.

Thanks!

[Sasha]

You're welcome, I'm happy to help.

IRL, you always keep your total numbers of skimmers and filters equal in total volume of water moved. This is because in most setups, you are going to have the output of the water outflows impacting each other. Corals are a double-edged sword - while they need turbulence, too much turbulence can break them apart and kill them. Aiming the outflows towards each other turns the straight motion of water into lots of small currents going off at all angles away from the point of convergence. They do this because the filters which cater to corals specifically are prohibitively expensive.

Though, that being said, I have seen some crazy things that actually work. Like people cutting up a sponge filter, shoving it into a stocking, and rubber-banding it to the outflow pipes. And it actually works - if you remember to change the stocking often enough.

EDIT: To add to that last paragraph, it's not just saltwater tanks that you see it in either. While sponge filters are very common in freshwater setups, you often see the same sort of bootleg setup in tanks with bettas, gouramis, and other fish that do not take well to lots of turbulence.

[Taffer]

The developer replied to an earlier discussion and gave insight to how the water quality and filtration mechanic works.

Originally posted by TwiceCircled:

The formulas for water quality are very complicated. What you need to know is that using multiple types of filtering (basic filtering, protein skimming and more later) is more effective than using lots and lots of just one type (just basic filtering for example).

They are most efficient when used in equal numbers. E.g. One power filter and one basic skimmer give you 36 of each. This is better than 40 basic filtering and 32 skimming, even though they add up to the same number.

On the other side of the equation you have the size of your animals pushing your water quality down. 'Greedy' animals push 33% harder.

The game compares the combined size of your animals to the combined power of your equipment to come up with the water quality.

There is a power law in the formula that makes it increasingly difficult to reach the high water quality numbers, almost impossible with just one type of filtration.

It is all designed like this to be as close to true life as possible. One type of filter is not enough, it takes a combination to keep the most delicate animals! :D

TLDR: Using the same filter type has high diminishing returns. It is best to use additional filters of different types. Also using different filters of same size will have a greater effect. For example: a basic filter of 36 filter power and a protein skimmer of 36 filter power.


Source: (https://steamcommunity.com/app/600480/discussions/0/1741094390464718272/)

[Skirlasvoud]

That fits exactly with Crow's claims and my own observations.

Thanks... Taffer!


heh... Thief fan. Nice.