Turning skimmer off to increase nutrients

[LuizW13]

I think a factor in all this could be an imbalance with Nitrate and ALK. I've noticed that in my low nutrient system, my corals looked the happiest with ALK in the mid 7's. I'm currently trying to get it down to 8, to see how things look.

 

[bellasdad0911]

Many factors. But I am glad it’s finally moving in the right direction. I will post some pictures today to show the color.

 

[DLuce510]

What product do you use for this? Can I get a specific name? Thanks in advance

I commented on this on the first page, Nitrogen Flourish.

 

[bif24701]

I add potassium nitrate as needed to maintain NO3=/>4ppm. I add Seachem Flourish Phosphorus as needed to detect in my Hanna ULR, .01-.03ppm PO4.

This prevents me from making drastic changes in my system and keeping things far more stable.

 

[DnA-Aquatics LLC]

Turning off your skimmer is a option, but why beat around the bush? I've been dosing Nitrogen flourish (potassium nitrate) for years and have had great success.
The problems I've had with turning off my skimmer is trouble with my ATO when the skimmer turns back on. The sump level changed after the excess water from the skimmer evaporated and my ATO has a auto shut off after its been on for a prolonged period of time trying to make up the water. Also the loss of oxygenation not peaking pH. I've also tried over feeding all sorts of things, which had some strange results on some triton water analysis, excess lithium. Over feeding can have unintentional effects based on certain foods and their source.
My suggestion, just add exactly what your looking for, no need to take a windy path.

My thoughts exactly. I am having the same problem with low nitrate, and phosphates. Every one has told me to "just feed more". My thoughts are, why would i want to dump expensive food into my tank that the fish won't eat, to raise nutrients. when I can go get a cheap bag of Kno3 and dose that once or twice a week.

I think food is meant to be eaten by the animals.

Also good advice on the skimmer, my LFS also told me to turn the skimmer off for 8 hours a day. But now that i read of your experience doing that, i think the problems caused by that justify the small cost of dosing Kn03.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Can we see pics of the pale corals and slow growth? Without this everyone’s just guessing at what could be happening. You say it started after a large water change, but the percent of water you changed was small, am I missing something there?
What are you using to test each parameter?