Protien Skimmers and Phostphate - Aquarium Advice

Brisc0 · 02-07-2004, 02:07 PM

Hey Everyone!

Okay so I have a seaclone 100 on my 105G, but from reading in the forums I understand that they are not the best skimmers, especially for 120 gallons of total system water. So I have ordered an AquaC EV-120 for my tank. I currently have an unending DOM slick at the top of the tank and phosphates (according to redsea test kit) around .2 - .3 I would like to see the phosphates drop a little bit. I assume that a better skimmer will remove more DOM therefore removing more nutrients with it, and lower the [acronym:b217d9d6c5="Phosphate"]po4[/acronym:b217d9d6c5]. Is this correct?

02-07-2004, 03:52 PM

The skimmer may help with the [acronym:35fb79e352="Dissolved Organic Compounds"]DOC[/acronym:35fb79e352] and organic phosphates but not really the inorganic. You may need a [acronym:35fb79e352="Phosphate"]PO4[/acronym:35fb79e352] sponge to really get things to zero. The same can be accomplished with regular water changes if you are using a pure water source such as [acronym:35fb79e352="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:35fb79e352].

Also be wary of over using dried and flake foods. They are lousy with [acronym:35fb79e352="Phosphate"]PO4[/acronym:35fb79e352]'s but can be diminished by presoaking in [acronym:35fb79e352="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:35fb79e352] water and discarding the water before feeding. A variety of different food sources will also help. If using meaty foods, avoid the grocers. Many type of fresh or "fresh frozen" seafoods contain tri-poly phosphates which introduce basically the same thing. When possible buy live but I find some "pre-mades" better than others.

Cheers
Steve

02-07-2004, 02:07 PM	#1
Brisc0 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 863 Images: 13	Protien Skimmers and Phostphate Hey Everyone! Okay so I have a seaclone 100 on my 105G, but from reading in the forums I understand that they are not the best skimmers, especially for 120 gallons of total system water. So I have ordered an AquaC EV-120 for my tank. I currently have an unending DOM slick at the top of the tank and phosphates (according to redsea test kit) around .2 - .3 I would like to see the phosphates drop a little bit. I assume that a better skimmer will remove more DOM therefore removing more nutrients with it, and lower the [acronym:b217d9d6c5="Phosphate"]po4[/acronym:b217d9d6c5]. Is this correct? __________________ Here's to swimmin with bowlegged women. -105G [acronym:d66a1d9307="Small Polyped Stoney"]SPS[/acronym:d66a1d9307] Reef with 30G Sump/Fuge Combo -30G LTAnemonarium with mated porcelain crabs, 10 sexy shrimp, and 2 pink skunks all tied into the other 135G in my system.

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02-07-2004, 03:52 PM	#2
steve-s Guest Posts: n/a	The skimmer may help with the [acronym:35fb79e352="Dissolved Organic Compounds"]DOC[/acronym:35fb79e352] and organic phosphates but not really the inorganic. You may need a [acronym:35fb79e352="Phosphate"]PO4[/acronym:35fb79e352] sponge to really get things to zero. The same can be accomplished with regular water changes if you are using a pure water source such as [acronym:35fb79e352="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:35fb79e352]. Also be wary of over using dried and flake foods. They are lousy with [acronym:35fb79e352="Phosphate"]PO4[/acronym:35fb79e352]'s but can be diminished by presoaking in [acronym:35fb79e352="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:35fb79e352] water and discarding the water before feeding. A variety of different food sources will also help. If using meaty foods, avoid the grocers. Many type of fresh or "fresh frozen" seafoods contain tri-poly phosphates which introduce basically the same thing. When possible buy live but I find some "pre-mades" better than others. Cheers Steve