skimmer overflow

[healerhand]

Hey Gang,
I am using US Aqarium protein skimmer. I am also using Phyto??? protein food for the coral and invert. I notice everytime i use the phyto, the protein skimmer over flood.. is that normal? or should i stop using the protein skimmer or reduce protein food for the inverts? my tank is a combo of fish and invert/coral.. 60 gal....
dc

 

[bobsingh1]

Protein skimmers produce very fine bubbles. It produces same amount of bubbles at a particular air flow setting. When you add any gel based protein material, be it food or medicine or conditioner, the coating for the bubbles become thicker and take longer to pop so the bubbles add up and overflow. It is during this time the skimmer spits it out in the cup. The more protein you add or the higher the number of fish, inverts or corals, the more gunk you will collect in the cup. So whatever you are feeding them is comming out in that cup without a lot of it being consumed.
Like they say... excess of anything is bad.. When the protein goes high in water, it also attracts harmful bacteria and hence the diseases. Try to buy foods that have less protein in them and don't overfeed your corals and inverts. If you have sufficient light and right calcium, a lot of corals just take care of themselves.
Hope this helps

 

[healerhand]

Yes,,, thanks.. very much so... i was afraid that my coral/invert would die if i dont put any protein like food... i should reduce protien like food and monitor my calcium level......thanks
dc