Skimmer fluids?

[reef_research]

I was thinking about the process of skimming recently, while away from an internet source, and cam eup with the following questions:

The contents of skimmer fluids are genralkly treated as harmful in closed systems like aquariums. This is due to the concentrations of the chemicals, correct?

Also, If these chemicals come from things like cycling and coral defensive mechanisms, then would all of these chemicals be found in ocean systems? (obviously not in the same concentration, but would they be there at some point?)

By what means would the components of the skimmer fluids be reincorporated into the marine ecosystem? [by reincorporation, something similar to nitrate exportation by algaes, etc] By what method of exportation are these chemicals reduced to non-damaging quantities in marine environments? I would presume that, before being able to understand these processes, one would need tom know each of the 'elements' [in a non-chemical aspect, that is to say simply the materials present] that the skimmer fluid is composed of.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

Thank you.

 

[barbra]

I can get you started:

Skimmate is composed of things that are not water soluble. The waste is carried on the bubbles and dumped into your skimmer cup. In the ocean it is accomplished by the action of the waves on sand.

You know that foam the builds up in places along the shoreline? That's it in action.

 

[reef_research]

What takes up the foam after that?

Thanks.

 

[barbra]

I dunno, God or something like that

 

[billsreef]

Since these are all organic compounds, bacteria will eventually break them all down in nature

 

[reef_research]

So, a container full of skimmate in a separate nevironment that is favorable towards bacteria will eventuall be broken down?

Into what exactly?

Thanks,

 

[Qcks]

Slightly more indepth answer about the natural process

summarized:

Big organic molecules ----> Smaller organic molecules ----> ATP + Carbon dioxide.

Anecdotally, i've heard of people using skimmate as a food source for rotifers.

 

[Qcks]

Crap... i hate having to double post; I got a bit excited...

I should note that the article i cited only answers about half your question.

As most have stated, sand does act as a "Scrubber" of sorts, but it should be noted that there are a number of remote reefs that exist a considerable distance from a sandy beach, which means that only about half of your question is answered...

In searching for an answer to your article i noticed that there were a couple of different suggestions, each corresponding to a different Biome. UV radiation and fermentation within a water column theories i like best.

Any way...

 

[reef_research]

Do you have any details on the UV or fermentation process?

Has anyone tried this?

 

[Qcks]

UV sitation

I can't find the fermentation citation. It's in reference to deep water ecology and benthic organisms though... perhaps you'll have better luck.

I seem to remember from my intro to biology course in college that gold or brown algae were responsible for many of the fermentation processes in marine enviroments (rather then yeast, which is a fungal agent coupled with algae.), so you may have some more success by investigating that instead.

It's important to note that the 2 articles i cited probably aren't applicable within the limited space of our aquarium systems. Simply put we don't have the surface area to rely on UV radiation for processing of organics. fermentation might be a viable option. I think most people wouldn't bother with that approach though, since the principles involved (carbon dosing, hypoxic/anoxic zones etc) can be taboo, to say the least.

 

[reef_research]

Could the same, or similar effects be achieved using an inline UV device like some reefers do?

Also, what conditions are ideal for the fermenting bacteria?

Thank you.

 

[billsreef]

A UV does completely different things than a skimmer

 

[reef_research]

I meant for the skimmate.

 

[Mogrash]

The UV could in theory help the skimmer. UV is capable of breaking down many molecules into simpler forms and can denature proteins. By breaking down the macromolecules into smaller forms that are denatured you would help the skimmer do its job. In addition, according to that article, help bacteria absorb the molecules.

Ozone would have a similar effect (and why it is so good at 'clearing' up the tank). The reactive species from ozone are very good at breaking down macromolecules and cells into smaller forms (that would be easier to take up via a skimmer).

billsreef-maybe I answered my question from the other thread.

 

[syrinx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9492915#post9492915 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reef_research
What takes up the foam after that?

Thanks.

evaporation to begin with.

 

[DouglasTiede]

I liked the God answer....

 

[Mogrash]

Organics and solids do not evaporate. Water evaporates. When the tide comes back up most of that is redissolved back into the water. I would also imagine a lot of that will get blown further inshore to act as fertilizer for plants and trees. Either way the foam on the beach is not a good analogy for how we use a skimmer and then dump it into our sink. The mechanical action is the same but the end result is different.

 

[dpearly88]

Marinedepot has a research thread about skimmate content. It's under the education coral section. It's good info check it out.

 

[Mogrash]

Yea it is an interesting discussion over there. I participate under a different name.

Another thread that I started questions similar concepts. Far too many people just assume that skimmers are good because it removes waste. What if skimmers remove most of the 'good waste' that is food for corals and other invertebrates and is not very good at removing the 'bad waste', which is dissolved and only feeds algae, cyanobacteria, and other bacteria?