bristleworms
New Member
Are there any negitives to using a protein skimmer? Do they take out essential trace elements or anything like that? Also, i've been told they are not needed when using a refusium/DSB. Is that good advice?
Negitives to Protein Skimming?
- Thread starter bristleworms
- Start date
tankstolove
Member
The only negative I have is I have to empty the cup. If you are attempting to keep salt water tanks a protien skimmer is essential piece of equipement. If I had to choose froam all equipement available including lights I would chose the skimmer. I could always put the tank under natural light.
Good keeping.
Good keeping.
nm reef
Active Member
For most reefs I' say yes a good quality skimmer is vital. However I've been skimmerless for 6+months now...removed the skimmer after establishing a 6"DSB and a 35 gal gravity return refugium. Plus I have 100 lbs of quality LR...since removing the skimmer the water quality and the condition of my corals has dramatically improved.
BUT...I would not suggest anybody remove the skimmer from a system unless the biological filtration is extremely well established and functioning to perfection. It is my personal opinion that skimmerless is not only possible but can be effective in the right situation.
To answer the origional question...no I don't think there are many negatives to using a skimmer and no I do not believe that they remove significant amounts of trace elements we want to keep. They basically remove excess organics and nutrient that would contribute to unwanted algaes. They are an extremely effective filtering element and in my opinion a vital piece of equipment for the vast majority of reefs.
BUT...I would not suggest anybody remove the skimmer from a system unless the biological filtration is extremely well established and functioning to perfection. It is my personal opinion that skimmerless is not only possible but can be effective in the right situation.
To answer the origional question...no I don't think there are many negatives to using a skimmer and no I do not believe that they remove significant amounts of trace elements we want to keep. They basically remove excess organics and nutrient that would contribute to unwanted algaes. They are an extremely effective filtering element and in my opinion a vital piece of equipment for the vast majority of reefs.
jim27
Member
I've read that for nano reefs like 15g and under skimmers arn't always a good idea. They remove vital trace elements and arn't necessary for a good nano. Weekly water changes and a ref' are good enough. Most nano keepers say the drawbacks of a skimmer outweigh the benefits. But for any other tank I'd say they're a great peice of equipment.
byrself
Member
i like having mine on my 20. it's definitely a security blanket. it usually doesn't pull out a whole lot, gets a nice thick gunk every now and then but i'm using it at a moderate level. i don't see how they hurt anything. i just hate having the extra equipment to deal with but they are very useful especially in the beginning of things imo.
susiepan
Member
Bristle,
IMO there are a lot of different views on whether or not skimmers remove Essential Ele. or Trace Min supplies etc...
The good definately out weighs the bad in using these..I add Essential Elements to my tank occasionally, and some other items, some dont agree with adding anything..but what ever works for you, and keeps your tank/reef healthy is what is best for you...
It does says on most bottles of Iodine, Calcium etc,,that it should be used as a supplement if a skimmer is being used...
Hope that helped
~Susie
IMO there are a lot of different views on whether or not skimmers remove Essential Ele. or Trace Min supplies etc...
The good definately out weighs the bad in using these..I add Essential Elements to my tank occasionally, and some other items, some dont agree with adding anything..but what ever works for you, and keeps your tank/reef healthy is what is best for you...
It does says on most bottles of Iodine, Calcium etc,,that it should be used as a supplement if a skimmer is being used...
Hope that helped
~Susie
bristleworms
New Member
Thanks for all of the replies! NM Reef-- What do you think led to the improvement of your corals after removing the skimmer?
eseow
New Member
Wether protein skimmer pulls out trace elements or not cannot out weigh the fact that it pulls the more detrimental organics from the water. Routine water changes and trace supplements would alleviate this if its a problem. As for my 20 gallon tank, protein skimmer is only shut down during Phytoplankton feedings for about 2-3 hours, other than that, if there's no wastes to pull out of the water, my catch cup stays empty.
ironreef
Member
calcium can't be skimmed out. trace elements and organics will. But if you feed good foods you are adding trace everyday. if you have fish you are adding waste everyday. Adding to much trace isn't good either. It really isn't needed if you feed good foods everyday. maintain cal,alk and ph. Trace will come from other forms. ppl now think old tank sysndrome comes from a toxic build up from trace element being stored in LR and ls. If your ph goes down somehow it can realse metals. Dunno really but you can find that at reefkeeping mag. search for the online article by Ron Simek. If you go skimmerless it's best if you use and alga tank. I like to use both. I have a large alga tank and a large skimmer. You can go skimmerless but I like to have one.
jim27
Member
Originally posted by anthem:
<strong>A skimmer would even be a benefit on a nano, however, most nano's just don't have the water volume to merit a skimmer. The common excuses of 'removes trace element's is kind of weak. Most skimmers remove organics, and if you are a bit more aggressive - organic particulate matter. So certain living organisms(planktonic) many be affected by that. Yeah, that might not be beneficial for certain types of setup's, but at the same time, most setup's don't have skimmers that are good enough to pull that kind of matter (or flow rates to do it). And those that do, generally have some way to supplement it back (refugiums, etc).
So, yeah some people quote a line that they are preserving the planktonic food for some of their feeders, but IMO its such a rare case where it will adversely affect your setup, that it should almost be a necessity. . .
Ed</strong><hr></blockquote>
<a href="http://www.nano-reef.com/articles/filtration.htm" target="_blank">Here's what the webmaster of nano-reef.com says about skimmers.</a>
<strong>A skimmer would even be a benefit on a nano, however, most nano's just don't have the water volume to merit a skimmer. The common excuses of 'removes trace element's is kind of weak. Most skimmers remove organics, and if you are a bit more aggressive - organic particulate matter. So certain living organisms(planktonic) many be affected by that. Yeah, that might not be beneficial for certain types of setup's, but at the same time, most setup's don't have skimmers that are good enough to pull that kind of matter (or flow rates to do it). And those that do, generally have some way to supplement it back (refugiums, etc).
So, yeah some people quote a line that they are preserving the planktonic food for some of their feeders, but IMO its such a rare case where it will adversely affect your setup, that it should almost be a necessity. . .
Ed</strong><hr></blockquote>
<a href="http://www.nano-reef.com/articles/filtration.htm" target="_blank">Here's what the webmaster of nano-reef.com says about skimmers.</a>
ironreef
Member
If you look at shimeks water study of old tanks. It shows the high% of iodide in the water. These tanks have skimmers/carbon and they don't dose. If you look at all the elements found in the water you can see how the high levels of trace are accully in the water. This is from ppl who may not even do trace. 100-10,000x more than NSW can be in your tank. Skimmers do skimmer most trace out. Any trace than will adhre to fatty molecules I belive. You can find the link at the online reefmag= [reefkeeping] search for the link on the web it's easy
nm reef
Active Member
To answer the question of why I think my corals improved.....well the basis for that statement comes from a decision to attempt a gonipora & alveopora coral. I saw that both seem to do best in a more nutrient rich system. My thinking at the time was to provide a more nutrient rich system for these 2 corals. I was a bit concerned about trace element removal and the removal of nutrients. Plus I run a fairly large refugium system compared to most....currently approx 50 gals of refugium with a 55 reef...so the caulperas in the refugium keep un-wanted algaes in check. My plan worked so far....my gonipora and alveopora are in great shape(only been about 6 months).....the other corals seem somewhatimproved.......I would not suggest anybody remove a skimmer for these reasons....but my thought was with the corals I wanted and with the size of my refugium it may be possible for my system...and to date it has worked fine. Maybe not a course of action for everybody...but I am pleased with the results so far.
richy rich
Member
After you see what comes out of that cup when its time to empty it you will say wow.. (how did my fish live in that water before i put that skimmer on?) Richy Rich.......