consequences of underskimming

[gig]

Anyone know the specific effects of underskimming a tank? I believe that is my case, as I am running a Bullet 1 (powered by a Mag 24) on a 180 (240 total gallon).

Nearly everyone has told me that I need a pressure rated pump for these beckett skimmers and mine never really produces skimmate like other peoples.

Provided my tank is not overstocked (3 med/sm tangs, 1 dottyback and lots of blueleg crabs and snails).

My parameters are in check, my lighting is good (4 72" VHO's, 4 36" T5s) for LPS and Softies.

I do 28G water changes bi-montly to monthly, but not longer.

My corals do not thrive (LPS do not extend as far as they should and my Zoas and Palys tend to lose color and are half open).

I'm just wondering if this is part of my problem.

Thanks!

 

[gig]

in short, does underskimming lessen polyp extension and/or lessen coloration?

 

[Mark426]

I dont run a skimmer at all on my LPS only tank and mine are thriving with great growth. Most LPS and softies like slightly dirty water, not pristine conditions like SPS need. I say your problems lie somewhere else not with your skimmer.

 

[gig]

thanks Mark...yeah, that's what I suspect, but I'm having trouble finding it. Lighting is ok, params in check, temp is steady around 78-79 degrees throughout the day. I'm sorta stumped.

 

[gig]

any places online that you can send a sample to and they do a full analysis? I'm jsut wondering if it's something in the water...I am on a well, but I use RO water, the TDS is zero, switched from Oceanic salt to Reef Crystals a couple months ago...but my tanks been running for a couple year now and I got zero growth.

I actually recall my first coral (some brown and orange zoas) starting to spread onto other rocks, as well as a frilly mushroom. Then it started to go downhill from there...anything I put in just stagnates or gets worse.

 

[iceman79]

try adding more flow to your tank that might help

 

[gig]

iceman...the tank is powered by a sequence dart, then I have 3 Koralia 4's, seems like the flow is adequate...thanks for the advice.

 

[BigCountryEsq]

how old are your bulbs?

 

[coral_lagoon]

Re: consequences of underskimming

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15504541#post15504541 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gig
Anyone know the specific effects of underskimming a tank? I believe that is my case, as I am running a Bullet 1 (powered by a Mag 24) on a 180 (240 total gallon).

Nearly everyone has told me that I need a pressure rated pump for these beckett skimmers and mine never really produces skimmate like other peoples.

Provided my tank is not overstocked (3 med/sm tangs, 1 dottyback and lots of blueleg crabs and snails).

My parameters are in check, my lighting is good (4 72" VHO's, 4 36" T5s) for LPS and Softies.

I do 28G water changes bi-montly to monthly, but not longer.

My corals do not thrive (LPS do not extend as far as they should and my Zoas and Palys tend to lose color and are half open).

I'm just wondering if this is part of my problem.

Thanks!

I dont think that skimmer is under powered for your tank. I had a Reef Devil on my 200 FOWLR, and that thing did a wonderful job pulling out the gunk. I think something else is causing your corals to act up..

 

[kkil4life]

seems like you have a similar problem to what I'm having
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1685500
will be tagging along to see what outcomes u get

 

[gig]

Esq - I change out the VHO's every 6 mo's and the T5's were added to my system in Late December, so those I was thinking could go a year, but others say no.

lagoon - I agree, my LFS is a big proponent of the PM skimmers and said that he's run Bullet 1's on bigger systems, I think my issue is that I am not using a pressure rated pump on it, the Mag24 is powerful, but is a flow pump versus a pressure. I do plan on getting a pressure pump soon, however, I'm skeptical this is the problem, as my softies are in the same boat as my LPS and Zoas, no growth and small polyp extension.

 

[gig]

kkil - it may be a water issue, I believe I have some polyfilters at home, I may pop them in to see what they may provide.

 

[kkil4life]

let me know, I'm getting a ro just to sort it out

 

[gig]

I've got a RO myself, it should be ever reefer's must have

My only wonder if there is something getting in the water....

 

[kkil4life]

any update on your situation?

 

[gig]

not yet, running a polyfilter to see if it turns anything up, will take a week or more to see if there is a color change.

 

[tpenn187]

dont know much about them but they may be able to help you out:
http://www.aquariumwatertesting.com