Strange question - skim is blue in color?

[pting]

After doing a lot of research and reading this forum in detail, I ordered a Tunze DOC 9010 last week. It arrived yesterday and I am very pleased. Setup was very easy and excellent bubble/foam production was evident within just a few hours.

I awoke to find about 100-150 cc of skim already produced. The only thing strange about it is that it has a somewhat blue-green or aqua color. It looks almost like the color of Windex. Anyone have any idea what this could be due to?

The Tunze replaced a DIY venturi skimmer that always produced a dark green (like tea) color foam. Nothing else has changed in the tank - all I did was take out the old skimmer and put in the Tunze.

Anyone ever seen blue skim before? I can't post a picture because I am at work now...but I find the whole thing very odd.

Paul

 

[rvitko]

I have no idea why. Do you have a lot of algae growth?

 

[pting]

Blue skim...

Blue skim...

Well, one of the reasons I replaced my old skimmer with the new Tunze is that I felt I needed more efficiency in my protein skimmer. Part of this is that I do have some green hair algae in the tank. It isn't massive or taking over the tank by any means...but it is there.

Still, I wouldn't expect that fact to give me BLUE skim -- certainly lots of skim, but not BLUE.

 

[FinsReef]

What all additives are you dosing in your tank?

 

[pting]

The only additives are:

B-ionic 2 part calcium additive
Kent Marine Iodine (have not added for ten days)
Kent Marine Strontium (have not added for ten days)

Other than that, I can't think of anything else significant that I've added to the tank for quite some time.

Paul

 

[pting]

For what it is worth, I use Instant Ocean salt mix...I've added a little extra in the last ten days or so in order to raise my salinity a bit. Since I have been adding additional salt mix, I have not needed to add the iodine, strontium, etc...

Paul

 

[rvitko]

I think it is just compounds from the algae, if they were more concentrated they may appear blue. Different skimmers remove different things as well so it is very hard to say.

 

[pting]

OK. I am willing to go with that theory. I emptied the skimmer this evening...look forward to seeing how it looks tomorrow.

Very pleased so far with the Tunze....even with my blue skim!

Paul

 

[FishhyRen]

Are you using southdown sand?
That was the explanation I was given...

Although it's not a Tunze, here's a couple pics of what I think you might be seeing...