Tuning my Skimmer......

[VR28man]

Just an interesting random tank observation, still trying to optimize my skimmer. (reef glass https://www.marinedepot.com/Reef_Gl...ano_Skimmer-Reef_Glass-6S81964-FIPSNS-vi.html, a simple airstone+glass tube skimmer design)

I have about .5 gal of skimmate collected today (30 gallon tank) on top of another .5gal yesterday, the water has a noticable green tint. I measured the water: nitrate is 5 ppm (compared to 1 in the tank) and unmeasurable by the Hanna LR (compared to like 0.06-0.1 in the tank). I guess this is because an algae bloom in the water has eaten up all the phosphates, and made the water green.

salinity has gone up one ppt; however it was low on my last water change (Saturday) and so it's only now 33. I'd like it to go to 34 before I start adding more freshwater.

If I understand correctly, the nitrate being 5 in the skimmate water, this means that, over the course of its removal, I've removed 5/29 ppm (or about 0.2) nitrate from the overall tank, it seems to me?

Regardless, I think I'll try to skim a bit less aggressively.

 

[Reefing Madness]

@Randy Holmes-Farley

 

[JRAD]

Just an interesting random tank observation, still trying to optimize my skimmer. (reef glass https://www.marinedepot.com/Reef_Gl...ano_Skimmer-Reef_Glass-6S81964-FIPSNS-vi.html, a simple airstone+glass tube skimmer design)

I have about .5 gal of skimmate collected today (30 gallon tank) on top of another .5gal yesterday, the water has a noticable green tint. I measured the water: nitrate is 5 ppm (compared to 1 in the tank) and unmeasurable by the Hanna LR (compared to like 0.06-0.1 in the tank). I guess this is because an algae bloom in the water has eaten up all the phosphates, and made the water green.

salinity has gone up one ppt; however it was low on my last water change (Saturday) and so it's only now 33. I'd like it to go to 34 before I start adding more freshwater.

If I understand correctly, the nitrate being 5 in the skimmate water, this means that, over the course of its removal, I've removed 5/29 ppm (or about 0.2) nitrate from the overall tank, it seems to me?

Regardless, I think I'll try to skim a bit less aggressively.

Hi VR 28- I think you are skimming way too wet. You can either raise the skimmer or cut back on the air with the valve on top. I set mine so the level in the skimmer is about 1.5 inches from the rubber stopper. The proteins and gunk rise up and every minute or so a little will trickle over into the drain tube. My skimmate looks like dark tea. You just have to remember to not to skim too dry with this skimmer or it might clog the drain hose