Skimmers are very effective and efficient at removing organics, trace elements and other beneficial microorganisms from our SPS waters. As gas exchange occurs within the body of the skimmer, releasing carbon dioxide and oxygenating the waters that can become acidified by our ambient air within an enclosed environment. Often times the focus is on the benefits of skimming but over skimming can surely strip many of the mentioned above which can ultimately cause demise to our inhabitants. I know many reefers put skimmers on timers to mitigate the stripping of too many nutrients/trace/organics etc.. having your skimmer turn off for 6 hours can potentially cause fluctuations in PH. Thinking how I can avoid a drop in ph and not strip too much of the water while not placing my skimmer on a timer was scary when I came to the conclusion that I can dose back skimmate into the system.. has anyone ever considered or dosed back skimmate to allow more organics to flow within the reef. Please share your experiences.
Skimmate dosing?
- Thread starter dave57
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bobby.w.hodges
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I've dosed skimmate in the past when my nitrates were too low, it's not as bad as people might think. I've also ran my skimmer on a schedule to have it off at night before feeding to help keep food proteins in the water, no noticeable effect on pH.
bobby.w.hodges
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I was able to raise my nitrates, which is why I dosed the skimmate. It's fish poop, I have a anak number of fish so my coral gets less poop a result, why not put some readily available poop back in the system? It's logical.
