Skimate very light color

[Walts O]

If protein skimmer is producing a very light colored skimate is this indicative of good water quality or just need some fine tuning. My tank is fairly new 40 gallon, it's lightly stocked and I don't feed heavy, although my nitrates and phosphates a little high. Thanks Walt

 

[Big B]

Im curious about this as well. What skimmer do you have? I have a 60 gallon with a 20 gallon sump, using a SCA 302 rated for 180 gallons. I wouldn't say I feed light but my skimmate is always tea green. My nitrates and Phos are 5 and .04.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Depends on a lot of things. Water volume and what's in the tank. You can over skim. Size of the protein skimmer and if it's ran 24/7. Those with over sized skimmers should consider placing it on a timer and running half a day. Then see what it pulls out. Also depends if you wet skimming or dry skimming.

 

[Walts O]

I have an ice cap 120 rated for a 75 to 120 gallons my sump has about 8 gallons of water