9010 skimming with live phytoplankton

[beaniebeagle]

if the phyto is alive and not degrading, does the skimmer take it out of the water?

 

[reefnetworth]

yes, i disconnect mine for an hour when i dose. that way its injested instead of being pulled right back out, since live phyto has such high protien level.
JDM...


i wouldnt leave it off much more than an hour, beneficial becteria will start dying inside the PS.

 

[rvitko]

If you are using either a classic DOC or comline DOC with the intake shutter closed or an older Tunze skimmer it will not remove the plankton at a very high rate. Some plankton will enter the skimmer and be removed but most will remain in the water column. When these skimmers are set up as described they recirculate the water internally, new water does not enter the skimmer, instead protein and other dissolved matter enter due to the diffusion gradient and are skimmed out. This is preffered for soft corals and heavy feeders but the more agressive action with the shutter open is preffered with SPS that produce a lot of irritating chemicals and demand a higher water quality. The diffusion gradient system is passive and slower to respond, less nutrients are removed overall.