skimmer vs phosphates

[BigJim]

Time for the dumb question of the day:

Do protein skimmers remove phosphates?

 

[Randy1]

No. They remove the organics before they can break down into Phos. and Nitrates.

 

[supervdl]

For that reason a good skimmer goes a long way in getting you good overall water parameters.

 

[BigJim]

That's what I thougt. I've got major phophate issues. I can't reduce them and I've tried it all:
-reduced feeding an started soaking food
-added a refugium
-increased water changes
-used ridiculous amounts of rowaphos

Haven't put a dent in the phosphates though.

 

[supervdl]

Are you using RO/DI water for your water changes?

 

[BigJim]

Yup. I've even checked for phophates in that and there aren't any.

 

[supervdl]

Not to get off topic - but it has to come somehow into your system. Like some of the other things you listed, a skimmer will only do the export part - there must be a reason for it coming into the tank in the first place.

 

[benray4fun]

Get a poly-filter, it will clean the phosphates up, but you still have to find the source for long term success...

 

[old salty]

What kind of food are you feeding?

 

[nathan_unsane]

i just got a octopus NW 200...

it's huge!!!

well in comparison to my seaclone 100...

i'm hoping to see a great improvement