When to add skimmer?

[immo]

I started a 15 gallon AIO tank at the beginning of the year, and I cycled, but I'm now struggling with nitrates, and diatoms. I'm curious as to when you think it's time to add a skimmer/carbon dose. Should I add Phos Guard in the middle of a diatom bloom? I have an ok CUC in the tank, and I'm not trying to chase numbers, but I'm afraid that my nitrates (often reaching 50 ppm) is simply on the verge of being out of control. I currently have chaeto running in a chamber with a grow light, but I do not anticipate for the chaeto to keep up with the nutrients.

 

[bushdoc]

You can add skimmer now, but in my experience this might not be the best option as there are few good skimmers suitable for small tanks, especially AIO. You may not find one fitting your back compartment and settle for internal one. Controlling nutrients in nano AIO is challenging. I suggest frequent water changes, other then PhosGuard, ChemiPure elite or blue and activated carbon. I was dosing carbon( vinegar), which lowered my nutrients, but algae persisted
Good luck!

 

[immo]

You can add skimmer now, but in my experience this might not be the best option as there are few good skimmers suitable for small tanks, especially AIO. You may not find one fitting your back compartment and settle for internal one. Controlling nutrients in nano AIO is challenging. I suggest frequent water changes, other then PhosGuard, ChemiPure elite or blue and activated carbon. I was dosing carbon( vinegar), which lowered my nutrients, but algae persisted
Good luck!

you suggest water changes over use of filter media, if I understand correctly?

 

[bushdoc]

you suggest water changes over use of filter media, if I understand correctly?

No,by all means, use both methods.

 

[immo]

would the marco mini found here be a suitable skimmer for a low bioload 15 gallon?

 

[immo]

also, would the addition of phos guard be a mistake to add during an initial diatom bloom?

 

[bushdoc]

No idea, but I have 30 gal AIO with Innovative Marine skimmer and it’s not doing great job.

 

[immo]

No idea, but I have 30 gal AIO with Innovative Marine skimmer and it’s not doing great job.

As much as I like my IM tank, I can honestly say, I haven't even considered their skimmer... I really like their tanks however.

 

[bushdoc]

Diatoms are usually first algae in new tank and generally speaking harmless, but unsightly. I would not be bothered by them, they should go away. Adding phosphate removing media should be guided by your phosphate level.

 

[WaterMarque]

I'm actually here because I've just started cycling a larger tank and I would also like to know when to add a skimmer. I have one sitting in the tank but I haven't turned it on yet. When in the cycle process do you do that?

 

[immo]

Diatoms are usually first algae in new tank and generally speaking harmless, but unsightly. I would not be bothered by them, they should go away. Adding phosphate removing media should be guided by your phosphate level.

Well, this is going to come as a sin, I know, but I do not currently have a phosphate test kit...

 

[bushdoc]

My final thoughts: this is new tank in initial faze of maturation and many things you are observing are natural sequences of events. Take it easy and do not overdo it.

 

[immo]

My final thoughts: this is new tank in initial faze of maturation and many things you are observing are natural sequences of events. Take it easy and do not overdo it.

I absolutely agree, but this is also my first tank (saltwater) and why I'm asking these questions. I'm not sure whether or not to add a skimmer/phos guard or just ride it out. I'm not opposed to either, nor do I prefer one over the other, I simply don't know which way to go. I only want to do the best for the tank I have, and its' inhabitants.

 

[Idech]

I'm actually here because I've just started cycling a larger tank and I would also like to know when to add a skimmer. I have one sitting in the tank but I haven't turned it on yet. When in the cycle process do you do that?

I think I waited about 2 months before I used mine. You want your tank to mature a little before you do. It’s not useful in the beginning.

 

[bushdoc]

Skimmer and PhosGuard are OK, I wouldn’t recommend carbon dosing.( yet)

 

[immo]

I think I waited about 2 months before I used mine. You want your tank to mature a little before you do. It’s not useful in the beginning.

I am within days of being 2 months into this tank (1/7) and would be even closer by the time a skimmer would be on my doorstep. Would a skimmer alone without carbon dosing reduce my nitrates? I feed lightly once per day, for a small (1") clown

 

[Idech]

I am within days of being 2 months into this tank (1/7) and would be even closer by the time a skimmer would be on my doorstep. Would a skimmer alone without carbon dosing reduce my nitrates? I feed lightly once per day, for a small (1") clown

I’ve been doing saltwater for 2 years so this is my beginner experience.

I never needed carbon dosing (my bioload was small, 7 fish fed twice a day in 75 gallons). For the first 8-10 months, nitrates went up but never more than 16-18 ppm. I never did anything about it,

Then, the tank matured and they started going down. If I let them they would be 0. So now I need to dose nitrates and phosphate. I usually run my skimmer 12 hours a day (at night), to help raising nitrates but still get rid of the fish waste.

So if I were you I would add a skimmer and let the tank do it’s thing while I observe it. No need for drastic measures.

 

[brclark82]

I am about the same stage as you (about 2 months). I am not an expert either but from what I can tell from my research is that trying to control your nitrates and phosphate too much at this stage will likely lead to needing to dose nitrates and phosphate later down the road so you aren’t sitting at zero which is also bad. I would take it slow and not use any GFO or other phosphate removing media, no need for carbon dosing anytime in the near future and probably hold off on protein skimmer for a while as well.

Get a good nitrate and phosphate test kit and keep an eye on trands but just do some weekly water changes and don’t overdo it for now.

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

I would take it slow and not use any GFO or other phosphate removing media, no need for carbon dosing anytime in the near future and probably hold off on protein skimmer for a while as well.

Get a good nitrate and phosphate test kit and keep an eye on trands but just do some weekly water changes and don’t overdo it for now.

Very good advice. Kudos for doing the research and distilling it all down to what is a simple, tried and tested plan.