Can You Over Skim....
- Thread starter charlie h
- Start date
barbra
Active member
"Overskimming" is a term that is used, but makes little sense if you think about it. You can certainly skim until there are no more skimmable substances left in the tank (for a nonosecond), but why that is called "overskimming" is beyond me.
Do you have reason to believe that your current skimmer isn't accomplishing it's purpose very well?
Do you have reason to believe that your current skimmer isn't accomplishing it's purpose very well?
Well i'm not 100% sure it's working fully because i empty every day and it's full of a dark brown runny liqued and i allways thought it was ment to be a thicker gunge. Also i'm having a really bad diatoms problem that is over running the tank.
water parameters...
nitrate 0
phosphate 0.2
magnisium 1030
calcium 400
carbanate hardness 8.2 dkh
ph 8.2 at night
temp. 30 - 31
I've broght a silicate test today which i'm now going to use ( i'll give you the results in a minute) and i've also brought a magnesium supplement to increse mag. to about 1300 over the next few days.
I just thought an extra skimmer would only help.
water parameters...
nitrate 0
phosphate 0.2
magnisium 1030
calcium 400
carbanate hardness 8.2 dkh
ph 8.2 at night
temp. 30 - 31
I've broght a silicate test today which i'm now going to use ( i'll give you the results in a minute) and i've also brought a magnesium supplement to increse mag. to about 1300 over the next few days.
I just thought an extra skimmer would only help.
just finished the silicate test reads absolute 0.... so what the hell is going on. i've had the brown algae problem for about 6-7 months and the tanks is about 8-9 months old....
Should i be removing the bioballs out the tanks weir as i've herd theses are a problem, or is another skimmer the answer
Should i be removing the bioballs out the tanks weir as i've herd theses are a problem, or is another skimmer the answer
HPD Turbo
New member
Please search trhu the Reef Keep Mag there is a article that explains how no lights helps control algea with no problems to the corals.
You can try 3 days of total darkness with no problem.
As for the Bio balls you shoul slowly get rid of them as it can be the food source of the algea.
Hope this helps.
PD: Can some one point us to the treath of no lights??
Thanks.
You can try 3 days of total darkness with no problem.
As for the Bio balls you shoul slowly get rid of them as it can be the food source of the algea.
Hope this helps.
PD: Can some one point us to the treath of no lights??
Thanks.
barbra
Active member
If this is a new setup, worry not. Diatoms are so common it is almost normal to have them at the beginning. As far as skimming goes, you should be pulling out skimmate everyday, since the tank generates new stuff to pull out all the time.
If you want a really thick skimmate then you should adjust the water vs air mixture until you are satisfied. More air and/or longer dwell time should produce a thicker skimmate.
If you want a really thick skimmate then you should adjust the water vs air mixture until you are satisfied. More air and/or longer dwell time should produce a thicker skimmate.
Have no real adjustment on the skimmer only to ruduce air intake or reduce water out put, which i both cases raises water level and makes problem worse..... But thanks.. I think i'll try removing the bio balls over the nest week and i'm going to have to trust you with the light situation and give it a go, looks like every thing going to die any way.....
Mel-E-Mel
Active member
Here ya go.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1078532
tried it on my nano earlier this year and when you turn on the lights after the 3rd day the water looks crystal clear.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1078532
tried it on my nano earlier this year and when you turn on the lights after the 3rd day the water looks crystal clear.
Mel-E-Mel
Active member
No problem! Algea blooms are normal for a young tank. I agree with HPD TURBO on removing the bio balls. Those will accumalate detritus and cause your nitrates to spike causing more algea. Only take out a handfull a day untill it is all gone then you should be good as long as you keep up with maintanance.
Yes, it is theoretically possible to remove too many trace elements via skimming and then you would need to add supplements. However, based on the fact that you have diatoms and high phosphates, I'd say your not skimming enough.
It's possible that the source of phosphates is inorganic, in which case skimming may not help. In this case, I would recommend a good RO/DI system (if you don't have one already) and some GFO.
Organic phosphates are removed by skimming, but typically don't show up on phosphate tests...
WELL I'M NOW ABOUT TO TEST MY R/O FOR NITRATE AND PHOSPHATE.... IF THEY READ 0 IS IT GOOD TO USE, SHOULD I ALSO BE TESTING FOR TDS (WHICH I DON'T NO HOW TO TEST FOR).
I'M PROBLY GOING TO GET ANOTHER LITTLE SKIMMER OFF EBAY AS I HAVN'T MUCH ROOM LEFT IN MY SUMP FOR A LARGE ONE UNLESS YOU HAVE ANOTHER WAY OF LINKING ONE UP.
I'M PROBLY GOING TO GET ANOTHER LITTLE SKIMMER OFF EBAY AS I HAVN'T MUCH ROOM LEFT IN MY SUMP FOR A LARGE ONE UNLESS YOU HAVE ANOTHER WAY OF LINKING ONE UP.
I no but i am trying to get temp down at the minute, My aquasunlight halides (2 x 250 2 x 54) are around 300mm/12" above water level and i have a fan on top. I'm going to buy another one as soon as i can find somthing suitable. A chiller is not relistic as i can not afford it and don't have the space...
I have just tested the r/o water from lfs and nitrates read 15/20ppm and phosphates read 1.5ppm....
I have just tested the r/o water from lfs and nitrates read 15/20ppm and phosphates read 1.5ppm....
scottfarcuz
New member
point the fan at the water not the lights...
Oh and don't buy water from that LFS anymore either
Oh and don't buy water from that LFS anymore either
at the minute i've got Two Fish Reef Aquarium DC Cooling Clip Fan. I was thinking about computer fan but they all say usb connenstion and i didn't no how to conect them to the mains.
Not going to get r/o from lfs any more going to invest in one of my own.... do they have to be connected to prusurised water supply.
Not going to get r/o from lfs any more going to invest in one of my own.... do they have to be connected to prusurised water supply.
