Correct skimming method, amount of waste?

[hairtrigger]

How much crap do you get out of your skimmer each day? Cause Im wondering if I could up my skimmer's flow. I get about a 2-3 cups a week, maybe 12-20 counces. However, I saw plum mention that he gets about 16 ozs a day from one of his systems. That made me wonder if my skimmer isnt proficient enough, I tend to keep the valve open just enough so the foam is continuous, and thick, but not too much of it. What is the correct skimming method, amount, flow, etc? See right now Im dealing with cyano only on my DSB so Im exploring all possibilities. And no, there are no excessive phosphates in my system, good flow, good water quality. Very precarious. Thanks!

 

[richard rendos]

I agree with Kipass4130...and, no two systems will have the same amount of waste produced.

 

[hairtrigger]

Hmmm, this makes sense. So let me ask you this: Do you guys think the lighter, white, more wet foam overskims and doesn't really remove much waste, phosphate, excess nutirents, ect? Or do you think is is in fact proficient? Because I for some reason was under the impression that the more heavy, dark skimmate means that the skimmer is pulling out more stuff.

 

[i like fish]

You keep saying TDS, don't you guys mean DOC?

 

[hairtrigger]

That makes sense. Im going to try that and see what happens. I'll idealy be able to tell when I test. Thanks!

 

[fishkiller]

I was reading about cyano on another site and somebody recommended sucking out as much as possible, then turn off the lights for 48 hours straight. I don't know about this because of the photoperiod interuption. You don't seem like you have many options left though.

 

[hairtrigger]

You aint kidding man. Ive already done that. And I stopped feeding my fish for so long to see if it was dissolved nutrients, that I accidentally killed my already thin yellow tang and hippo tang. Im back to feeding, but still have to fix the cyano, which is getting slightly better. Very bizarre. That, and I also have to replace my poor fishies.