High Nitrates.. Wet skim?

[jrsydevi1]

I read on another site that running your skimmer wet is a way to help reduce your nitrate levels..

Any truth to that?

 

[rwessels]

Skimming doesn't remove Nitrate, but it can remove proteins before they end up going through the cycle to change into Nitrates.

 

[jrsydevi1]

Skimming doesn't remove Nitrate, but it can remove proteins before they end up going through the cycle to change into Nitrates.

So.. wet or dry skim makes no difference?

 

[bertoni]

Wet skimming might remove more organics from the water column, which might reduce the nitrate level over time. I'd give it a shot. Be sure to watch your SG if the skimmer starts removing a lot of saltwater.

 

[jdegrasse]

Practically, there are better methods of nitrate control.

 

[kissman]

the best method of reducing high nitrates is big water changes, wet skimming can help keep nitrates from climbing and could help reduce a little, but the best way is doing big water changes till they are down. The proper maintance to keep them down. How high are the trates? I did 40% water changes every 2 days to get mine down

 

[bertoni]

Large water changes can cause problems themselves, and the nitrate level will bounce back up fairly quickly if the underlying problem isn't fixed first. I'd be careful about that approach.