Skimmer vs diy algae reactor

skim · Dec 22, 2018

That is my point ChemiPure contains a lot of Carbon and more then likely why your system s the way it is. Believe it not a Skimmer works more like Filter then anything, all the micro particles from waste and Algae spores will stick to the bubbles and removed into the cup and all the brown sludge you on skimmer cups and in necks of the cup is fish poop and food and whatever else. It does not directly remove unwanted nutrients, it will help remove particles that will break down and become Phosphate and Nitrate. You have still a brand new system and what you have now is just part of one of stages. If your Chaeto is not dong well it's the lighting or low nutrients. If it was me I would leave it the way you have and reduce the amount a water changed to like 1 or 2 scoops of say a size of large Yogurt of Cottage Cheese Container, let that Chaeto get healthy again and then it will help you with Nutrients. Green slime and Hair Algae will always win it just reacts faster. What is your temp?

MrObscura · Dec 22, 2018

I don't have any chaetomorpha right now, I'm debating between adding a skimmer or a algae reactor.

wesman42 · Dec 22, 2018

MrObscura said:
I don't have any chaetomorpha right now, I'm debating between adding a skimmer or a algae reactor.

Well, if you decide to go with an algae reactor, then you'd probably at least want to stop chemipure, take measurements, and then use it as a supplement if the algae reactor isn't pulling enough nutrients.

Really the only time I have found the need to run anything like chemipure was when I had an excess amount of Phosphates and needed to bring it down to a number that was proportionate to my nitrates.

Consistently running multiple forms of nutrient reduction is a good way to handle an extraordinary bioload/waste. It's always a good idea to STOP and TEST the numbers so you know which method is reducing and by how much.

Bottoming out your nutrients is an invitation to Dinoflagellates.

MrObscura · Dec 22, 2018

The more I've thought about it, the more I think I've been over thinking it. It's a young tank, and a little bit of algae/cyano probably isn't a reason to change things.

I fear that with an algae reactor I'll run the risk of stripping no3/po4 too low considering my wc schedule and current readings. So, I think if anything I might just add a skimmer for a little extra filtration which shouldnt effect nutrients too much but will help keep the tank a little cleaner, and add a bit of a failsafe just in case.

JRAD · Dec 22, 2018

The Reefglass is a cool little skimmer-very old school. Helps with gas exchange. Have to keep it clean or it clogs. If you skim a little on the wet side it doesn’t clog as fast!

MrObscura · Dec 22, 2018

Yea, I like how small it is and I know I can just slip it into the back chamber no problem. I'm also considering the ice cap k1, but I'm not sure how much of a Pita it'll be to fit. My primes mount covers a lot of the 2nd chamber.

Southpawzzz · Dec 22, 2018

MrObscura said:
I'm back to considering the reef Glass. It's tiny and will just add that little extra but of filtration.

The main reason i started considering adding one or the other was just to keep algae out of the display as much as possible.

I have both in my 20 gallon peninsula. the reef glass is very good just clean it bout once a month and it’s good. It works very well to remove gunk and is not high maintenance. I can say I feed a lot and the macro algae paired with the chaetomax light work amazingly. Have no no4 po3 ever.

lion king · Dec 23, 2018

Excellent point as to state "in your specific circumstances". The main point I see is tank size, in small tanks, really anything 30g or less, I've found these small nano skimmer to be close to useless. While you may be fooled by the colored water you collect, if you do a comparative test of your nitrates you'll find no or very little difference with or without. And there is absolutely no effect on phosphates what so ever.

While an algae reactor is one of the best filtration additions, it will remove nitrates and phosphates at a balanced level, as well as help balance your ph and O2 concentrations between light and dark cycles by running an opposite light cycle. I run skimmers and algae reactors on my large tanks, but found the nano skimmers to be useless. Unless you have a nano tank 30g or larger and are using a true hob big boy skimmer, ditch the skimmer and add an algae reactor.

Here's one that I built on a very good budget that works very well:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/brs-reactor-algae-reactor.319128/