Are dissolved organics bad? Why do we skim it out?

[Murraydar]

From what I've read dissolved organics can be pretty beneficial for corals. If I have low nitrates and phosphates and no algae issues why should I be using a protein skimmer? Will they be consumed or gradually build up an eventually cause some kind of issues?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Organics aren't good or bad, just like people are not good or bad.

Some are coral foods, some are toxins, some are bacteria, some bacteria might be pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria.

Some organics absorb light and yellow the water.

IMO, the biggest reason to use a skimmer is aeration. I'd use it even if that's all it did. Aeration is a lot harder than most people think.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I give a big roundup of organics in reef aquaria here:

Organic Compounds in the Reef Aquarium by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-10/rhf/index.htm

 

[Murraydar]

Ill give the article a good read. Another quick question. What is the difference between a skimmer and activated carbon? They both remove organics, correct?

 

[NY_Caveman]

The carbon will also remove inorganics.

 

[NY_Caveman]

I should mention, macroalgae will also use both organic and inorganic. When people have very effective nutrient export with macroalgae they may find find they do not need a skimmer for organics. However, as Randy mentions, it is still worthwhile for gas exchange.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ill give the article a good read. Another quick question. What is the difference between a skimmer and activated carbon? They both remove organics, correct?

They do somewhat different things.

GAC will not remove particulates, but skimmers do, including whole particles of detritus and whole bacteria and other suspended organisms.

The types of organic matter removed may vary a bit too. Neither removes all organics, or all types of organics.