Skimmer vs Nitrates

[getfooled]

i currently have a 115RR (LPS & Softies), and using a Pro Clear MPS350 skimmer, Nitrates are hanging around 15-20 w/ weekely water changes, (dont over feed, not over stocked) My question is if i upgrade the skimmer to a much better one could i see my nitrates in the 0-5 range. I hear alot of talk about deltec & mrc skimmers. Friend got a deltec for her 180 and nitrates that were 20 are now 0. Does a skimmer have that much impact on nitrate removal. BTW is the MPS350 worth a flip seems to skim good, the skimmate is not very dark though.

 

[markanderson]

a cheaper and easy way to lower nitrates is to add some plants. There are several different plants that are easy to keep in a home aquarium. I think SWF sells them. They also add to the biological diversity and beauty of the tank.

 

[getfooled]

yea i have a ton of cheto, just curious is to what impact a skimmer has on removal, or is more to make the water look cleaner.

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by getfooled
yea i have a ton of cheto, just curious is to what impact a skimmer has on removal, or is more to make the water look cleaner.
No your skimmer will definately remove disolved organics but I dont think you need an upgrade if you are gettting enough skim and it is working efficiently! Do yo use RO/DI water? When you do water changes try to LIGHTLY syphon the top of your live sand, you will see a ton of crap in the waste water bucket. ALSO do you have any mechanical filtration on your tank at all?

 

[getfooled]

ro/di h2o yes. I have filter pads that probably do need to be changed out. I do not mess the sand bed though, i have some nass. snails and a sand sifting star that i figured would handle that part but i can work on improving that area.
So the skimmer i have now is defiantly working, so then whats the hype about a Bubble King or a Deltec or the top end skimmers.