Skimmer question

[tinyfellows]

I recently just started my first reef tank and I was thinking it’s time to fire up the skimmer. A skimmer removes things that will break down to nitrates and phosphates correct? It won’t bottom out my phosphate and nitrates? My phosphate are at .03 and nitrate is at 5. I’m wondering because I like where those are at and don’t want them to creep up but I don’t want to bring them to zero and get a Dino outbreak

 

[vetteguy53081]

Technically, protein skimmers remove waste materials from the aquarium water column. The air bubbles attract and condense these waste materials into scummy looking foam and transport it to the collection cup for convenient disposal. These are known as dissolved inorganic material

 

[stovenut]

Technically, protein skimmers remove waste materials from the aquarium water column. The air bubbles attract and condense these waste materials into scummy looking foam and transport it to the collection cup for convenient disposal. These are known as dissolved inorganic material

Couldn't have said it better. I would also say that I like running my skimmer all the time as another way to keep a close eye on my tank. It can tell me when my filter socks are gummed up. It can tell me when I've added something (or too much of something) to the tank that I shouldn't have like medication, reef epoxy, etc.

 

[PatW]

Skimmer remove macromolecules from the water column. The molecules are things like proteins, lipids, small particles and so on. As such, the skimmer will not reduce nitrates and phosphates. They will remove stuff before it breaks down into nitrates and phosphates. Skimmers can also go really wild if you add certain chemicals. Soap would probably do it. Quite a few things will cause skimmers to go a bit hay wire.