Bottoming out Nitrates

[Hugh Mann]

My protein skimmer seems to be doing its job too well. My nitrates are barely reading anything 0-5 (Salifert).

I already am noticing my coralline is dying back, and film algae isn't growing, neither are my macros.

So how do I get me some nutrients into this tank? Reduce skimmer output by putting it in a timer?

Feed rediculously heavy?

Dose nitrates?

 

[1ByLand2BySea]

Tune down your skimmer.
Dose Nitrate.
How is your PO4 in comparison?

 

[Hugh Mann]

I don't actually have a test for po4, unfortunately can't answer that.

I'm not even really sure how to tune down the skimmer. Doesn't mention it in the manual. reef octopus 1000 hob. Reduce the airflow maybe?

 

[1ByLand2BySea]

I don't actually have a test for po4, unfortunately can't answer that.

I'm not even really sure how to tune down the skimmer. Doesn't mention it in the manual. reef octopus 1000 hob. Reduce the airflow maybe?

You should monitor your PO4 and keep proper ratio between NO3 and PO4. Unfortunately I am not familiar with that skimmer to tell you. But there should be a way to lower the water level or foam on the chamber without reducing the air. If you have to, you can lower the air or as a last resort keep the skimmer on a timer if you don't have a Auto Top Off as it may mess with it.

 

[I’ma tempermental coral]

Get a po4 test! Lol. I know a ton of reefers that could give a hoot about their po4 but there is a limit to that! If you get nitrate locked you could be in for a serious shock on the po4 levels!!! I had the exact opposite happen to me!!! Po4 was bottomed out for to long and my no3 was skyrocketing! I was phosphate locked and had to dose phosphorus to bring nitrate back in line!

 

[abw75]

I dosed no3 for a while until system get stable + increased feeding @ 3 times / day. But dosing no3 probably will drop po4 - so keep an eye on it too.

 

[Hugh Mann]

I'll have to get a po4 test kit. I set the skimmer cup for a very dry skim, but it seems to produce a random amount on any given day. Sometimes it's hardly anything, sometimes it nearly overflows in 24 hours.

 

[abw75]

I'll have to get a po4 test kit. I set the skimmer cup for a very dry skim, but it seems to produce a random amount on any given day. Sometimes it's hardly anything, sometimes it nearly overflows in 24 hours.

I dont know your budget for a PO4 test kit, but many reefers use Hanna Phosphate ULR (including myself) for accurate measurements (in the limits of a hobby kit, of course);
No experience with HOB skimmers, but I would not mess it up - leave it do its job as good as possible - skimmers dont skim NO3 or PO4, but organics that may later decompose and release NO3 & PO4; As long as you dose NO3 you have a better control than waiting for days for unskimmed organics to break;
I have a large skimmer for my tank, I dosed NO3 until get to desired value without any change to it - now, despite heavy feeding, NO3 is stable without dosing - and this is where skimmers come to help;