Thoughts on over skimming

golf nut · #1 10-22-2009, 11:27 PM

We learn daily, I have never been a big supporter of reef controllers but prefer to stick with PLC's and let a reliable source program it, I have a controller in the works that will give me a bunch of programs to choose from but am still paranoid that during selection there may be a glitch that I may be unaware of.

Stephen, take the issues that you find,use you resources to find a solution and let them know, the industry will be better for it.

sphelps · #2 10-27-2009, 01:59 AM

Both nitrate and phosphate are up slightly, previously both were at undetectable levels, now they are some what detectable.

Nitrate: somewhere between 0 and 1ppm so we'll say 0.5ppm
Phosphate: around 0.01ppm

I've also been feeding more and I've noticed a slight improvement in LPS health. Seems to be working.

mr.wilson · #3 10-27-2009, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

Both nitrate and phosphate are up slightly, previously both were at undetectable levels, now they are some what detectable.

Nitrate: somewhere between 0 and 1ppm so we'll say 0.5ppm
Phosphate: around 0.01ppm

I've also been feeding more and I've noticed a slight improvement in LPS health. Seems to be working.

It's strange the nitrate and phosphate would climb even though you aren't feeding fish anymore, and the bioload is subsequently lower. You must really be feeding those corals.

sphelps · #4 10-27-2009, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.wilson

It's strange the nitrate and phosphate would climb even though you aren't feeding fish anymore, and the bioload is subsequently lower. You must really be feeding those corals.

Well yeah and I got two new fish I'm currently training and two originals that survived so overall I'm using quit a bit more food. Plus it's not much of an increase, before it was without a doubt zero on the test kit, now it's just barely showing a possible detectable concentration.

mr.wilson · #5 10-27-2009, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

Well yeah and I got two new fish I'm currently training and two originals that survived so overall I'm using quit a bit more food. Plus it's not much of an increase, before it was without a doubt zero on the test kit, now it's just barely showing a possible detectable concentration.

Good to hear some survived.

untamed · #6 10-27-2009, 05:03 AM

What do you train your fish to do?

I wish I had trained mine to swim into a small separate tank for feeding (and capture if necessary)...sort of the way that the aquariums train the whales to allow for examinations....

sphelps · #7 10-27-2009, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by untamed

What do you train your fish to do?

I wish I had trained mine to swim into a small separate tank for feeding (and capture if necessary)...sort of the way that the aquariums train the whales to allow for examinations....

Just to eat frozen and eat quickly to compete.

Myka · #8 10-28-2009, 03:22 AM

What kit are you using to test phosphate anyway? Unless you're using a Merc kit or comparable, such a low reading is probably inaccurate.

sphelps · #9 10-28-2009, 03:34 AM

Elos, the next reading above zero is 0.01 then it jumps to 0.1

Myka · #10 10-28-2009, 02:32 PM

Ya, likely not too accurate at that low number, but at least you know there is probably "a little bit". I find if you compare to a Merc kit both Elos and Salifert will show lower readings than the Merc.