The only consumer level skimmers (skimmers for aquaria under 300 gallons) that require a bubble plate/ turbulence diffusion system are those that utilize a pump that is too large for the body. I have seen some very large skimmers (for systems 1000 gallons+) that make use of a diffusion apparatus and it is key to the design. It doesn't make them better, just different. The amount of power required to power such large pumps usually negates the benefit of the diffusion system compared to better designs.
I have also recently seen small skimmers using bubble plates with pumps that are too small and or mismatched for the reaction chamber over-all design. I think they are refered to as the "Me Too" bubble plate skimmers...
On top of that, the real problem with the whole "bubble plate" thing is the affect the design has on contact time. Out of necessity, in compact skimmers, the lower third of the reaction chamber must water only so as to avoid bubbles leaving the chamber and entering the system. I have seen some that are only HALF full of bubbles. To make up for that loss in contact time, one would have to increase the height of the chamber, but that adds back pressure to the pump and dramatically reduces efficiency, specifically air intake. That of course translates into a loss of surface area and thus fractionation/extraction potential.
Under typical operating circumstances none of our current products require a diffusion system because the pumps are properly matched to the reaction chambers and the transitions and necks are matched to the pump/body combination. They work perfectly.
Innovation is not a mandate. Quality, Performance, Value and Service are. Change for change sake is pointless. Most mfr's make "innovations" to enhance the marketability of their products rather than maintaining or refining a proven design. Do you really think H&S and Deltec keep making their skimmers the same way because they can't innovate? No, it's because they work just as they are. Small changes here and there maybe. After many years of research and testing, you might see a new product that is truly
innovative, but not every 3 months... Some of the first skimmers from Bubble King -the very large diameter ones- make excellent use of the bubble plate. Beyond that I haven't seen any evidence that supports the use of such technology in smaller skimmers... yet
The right direction in design is in increasing surface area for attraction of organics and thus fractionation, limiting power consumption, minimizing space required, and optimizing ease of use. That's where we are going as a protein skimmer manufacturer.
