Coralation btw skimmers and water changes?

[snakeblitz33]

My skimmer worked really well since January and I haven't done a single water change since I moved the tank at the end of december 2011. I noticed a lot of detritus accumulation at the bottom of my sump and so I decided to do a 10g water change in my 30g total water volume system.
I plugged my skimmer back in And now it's working like a charm!
Is there any Coralation between new salt water and protein skimmer efficiency? Something about redox potentials? Anyone know?

 

[reefkprz]

fresh salt water has a bunch of hydrophobic elements in it, such as calcium, carbon, and on and on, plus the micro particles of insoluble elements left in the mix. Skimmate solids is roughly 17% calcium by weight and 21% carbon (according to some research). I imagine there are lots of otgher elements that are hydrophobic in newly mixed salt water as well. plus whatever you may have stirred up siphoning the "gunk" out of the bottom of your sump probably resuspended some protenous and other hydrophobic materials as well.
that would be my guess at the increase in skimmer activity.

 

[gemmy]

I dunno. I did a a water change yesterday and changed the media in the canister. My skimmer went bonkers and wet skimmed like crazy for the first day.

 

[2quills]

What kind of salt are you using Seth? Alot of folks have notice a correlation of increased skimmer activity after water changes, particularly those using certain brands of Reef Salts. It's been debated that contributing factors could be coming from the added vitamines, amino acids, organics..etc found in some salts even down to the oils in your skin when putting your hands in the tank or mixed water could be a factor.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Instant ocean - the cheap junk. Lol.
I was thinking I might have found a reason to do more water changes. But I don't know now. Lol.
I'm thinking I might invest in some better salt mix when I use what I got now. One 5g bucket of io lasts me two to three years. Lol. I guess it's time to get in the game and do more water changes on my reefs.

 

[2quills]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/391329/coralation-btw-skimmers-and-water-changes#post_3469989
Instant ocean - the cheap junk. Lol.
I was thinking I might have found a reason to do more water changes. But I don't know now. Lol.
I'm thinking I might invest in some better salt mix when I use what I got now. One 5g bucket of io lasts me two to three years. Lol. I guess it's time to get in the game and do more water changes on my reefs.
I think I/O or actually Reef Crystals in particular has become one of the more popular brands of salt that is being used when observing this issues. But then again that could just be that it's one of the most popular brands being used, period!

 

[snakeblitz33]

Mainly because I think it's one of the cheapest. I don't know. Good ways to test theories out there though!

 

[acrylic51]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/391329/coralation-btw-skimmers-and-water-changes#post_3469989
Instant ocean - the cheap junk. Lol.
I was thinking I might have found a reason to do more water changes. But I don't know now. Lol.
I'm thinking I might invest in some better salt mix when I use what I got now. One 5g bucket of io lasts me two to three years. Lol. I guess it's time to get in the game and do more water changes on my reefs.
There isn't any data out there that can prove 1 salt is any better than the others.......

 

[acrylic51]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/391329/coralation-btw-skimmers-and-water-changes#post_3469993
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/391329/coralation-btw-skimmers-and-water-changes#post_3469989
Instant ocean - the cheap junk. Lol.
I was thinking I might have found a reason to do more water changes. But I don't know now. Lol.
I'm thinking I might invest in some better salt mix when I use what I got now. One 5g bucket of io lasts me two to three years. Lol. I guess it's time to get in the game and do more water changes on my reefs.
I think I/O or actually Reef Crystals in particular has become one of the more popular brands of salt that is being used when observing this issues. But then again that could just be that it's one of the most popular brands being used, period!
I think your correct.....When you look at the comparison charts as far as numbers;readings on mixed water Reef Crystals seems to have decent consistent numbers and price also makes it a very popular choice.