Protein skimmer is the term most commonly used by aquarium and aquaculture professionals to describe the removal of suspended and dissolved waste from fish tanks by means of air floatation. which is a relatively simple process which relies on the physical and chemical properties of coagulation.

Protein skimmer enhances the oxygenation of a system both biologically and physically. Biological oxygen demand is reduced by the direct removal of biodegradable organic carbon (protein), as well as bacteria in the water column. Physically, the increased surface area provided by the injection of large volumes of air (in the form of small bubbles) into a column of water creates a condition for gas exchange. The addition of a small dose of ozone to the process, with its coagulative and disinfectant properties, makes skimming possibly the best component one could add to a modern life support system