Low Nutient levels in mixed reef causing macro die off in refuge?

[Mrreefercanada]

I have a two year old tank/sump with a refuge full of chaeto growing very well. Water parameters all in line with standard mixed reef(90 gal tank and 20 gal sump) 3 weeks ago i installed a very efficient protein skimmer I built myself and noticed yesterday that the chaeto is dieing back? All water parameters unchanged. Im assumimg that my skimmer is reducing the nutrients to levels too low to support the macro algae? Assuming this correct can I remove the chaeto completely from sump with out throwing the system off? Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[Tangina20]

I have a two year old tank/sump with a refuge full of chaeto growing very well. Water parameters all in line with standard mixed reef(90 gal tank and 20 gal sump) 3 weeks ago i installed a very efficient protein skimmer I built myself and noticed yesterday that the chaeto is dieing back? All water parameters unchanged. Im assumimg that my skimmer is reducing the nutrients to levels too low to support the macro algae? Assuming this correct can I remove the chaeto completely from sump with out throwing the system off? Any insight would be appreciated.

That’s most likely the reason it’s dying. If there is only a little bit left there’s no hard in leaving it in or taking it out whatever works best for you!

 

[Katrina71]

Try reducing skimming time.