Thoughts on over skimming

[golf nut]

Originally Posted by sphelps

I'm going to experiment and shut the skimmer off during the day, it's large enough that I don't see the need for it anyway and I can always turn it back on at anytime. I'll cut back water changes, work on the algae, feed more and try dosing some stuff like phyto (live or processed btw??) and some zeo products.

I don't know if doing all of these things at once is a good idea, I understand the reasoning but if things turn around would you not still be unsure as to which particular change you made produced the end result?

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by Mr OM

I don't know if doing all of these things at once is a good idea, I understand the reasoning but if things turn around would you not still be unsure as to which particular change you made produced the end result?

What would you recommend? I was planning on phasing everything in slowly and going from there. Just cutting the skimmer and water changes back may only maintain levels and not restore them but only adding things may not be enough to offset the skimmer if left on. The ultimate goal to me right now seems to be geared to increasing the nutrient level of tank and then attempt to maintain it at a level which provides a healthy balance for all corals in the tank. Should be easy

[mr.wilson]

You could just de-tune (lower water level & or restrict air intake) your skimmer so it's always on but skimming less.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by mr.wilson

You could just de-tune (lower water level & or restrict air intake) your skimmer so it's always on but skimming less.

I read that dry skimming and wet skimming produces similar results and I worry that restricting air flow will decrease the effectiveness and make the chamber too turbulent, you know the whole unstable vs stable protein thing. I'm thinking just reducing the duty cycle will be the most efficient and beneficial way of decreasing the skimming effect.

[golf nut]

I would pick the single biggest thing that might bring the turnaround, you think the skimmer is too big, cutting down on running time should have quite a difference, you have run skimmer less before I believe and know what to look for in water parameters, that's likely where I would start.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by Mr OM

I would pick the single biggest thing that might bring the turnaround, you think the skimmer is too big, cutting down on running time should have quite a difference, you have run skimmer less before I believe and know what to look for in water parameters, that's likely where I would start.

Well I don't know exactly what to look for in water parameters, should I be aiming for a low concentration of nitrate? Should such levels still be undetectable?

I will start with the skimmer today and maybe just add some amino acids next week. Other things like the phyto maybe a week or two down the road depending on what I use. The water change will probably be a minor change and beside possibly having to dose more Ca and Alk won't result in significant changes in the immediate future.

[golf nut]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Well I don't know exactly what to look for in water parameters, should I be aiming for a low concentration of nitrate? Should such levels still be undetectable?

I will start with the skimmer today and maybe just add some amino acids next week. Other things like the phyto maybe a week or two down the road depending on what I use. The water change will probably be a minor change and beside possibly having to dose more Ca and Alk won't result in significant changes in the immediate future.

I am no expert in water parameters either but there enough people on this board that will give suggestions I am sure, I just don't like the idea of changing too many things at the same time, sometimes they cancel each other out and give false results,

Put it this way, you are trying to find .0005 on a 2" bore to get an RMS of 16, you try different inserts, maybe different coolant or feed rates, but you only change one thing at a time.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by Mr OM

I am no expert in water parameters either but there enough people on this board that will give suggestions I am sure, I just don't like the idea of changing too many things at the same time, sometimes they cancel each other out and give false results,

Put it this way, you are trying to find .0005 on a 2" bore to get an RMS of 16, you try different inserts, maybe different coolant or feed rates, but you only change one thing at a time.

Cool thanks, I wish this biology stuff was as simple as the mechanical world, things would definitely be a lot simpler.