What is the effect of a skimmer on Po4 and No3?

[RickvDam]

So how much Po4 and No3 does a skimmer actually remove?

I’ve never managed to get a Po4 above 0 didn’t matter how much I fed. A few months ago I started dosing Po4 and No3 and since I started, those parameters have been perfectly stable.

I turned off my skimmer for a week, and my Po4 went up to 0.4 (normally 0,06). Nitrate still at a stable 11. I dose 0,02PPM daily, meaning that my dosing alone is not enough for such a big rise in Po4, but that combined with feeding could possibly result in such a high level.

Is a skimmer really this productive in removing Phosphates?

(For those wondering, no there are no bad side effects. I have almost only Euphyllia which can actually rather enjoy these levels. Also tank is 2 years old.)

 

[Aquadude1]

Skimmers can play a part in reduction but not directly. They tend to pull organics out before they break down, preventing the further rise of no3 and po4 to an extent.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

My understanding is that a skimmer removes neither nitrates nor phosphate. It removes dissolved organics before it breaks down and becomes nitrate.

 

[rishma]

Skimmers also remove bacteria, which contain N & P, indirectly removing nitrate and phosphate. This is a primarily method I use for nutrient control with carbon dosing to increase bacteria populations and skimming to remove them.

 

[RickvDam]

Skimmers can play a part in reduction but not directly. They tend to pull organics out before they break down, preventing the further rise of no3 and po4 to an extent.

Yea that’s what I thought. Weird that it also seems to affect my dosing… Turned the skimmer back on and reduced my dosing. Maybe it’s just time to adjust my dosage or something.

My understanding is that a skimmer removes neither nitrates nor phosphate. It removes dissolved organics before it breaks down and becomes nitrate.

Yea so that wouldn’t include my liquid dosing… weird. I’ll do some tests in a few days to check it out.

Skimmers also remove bacteria, which contain N & P, indirectly removing nitrate and phosphate. This is a primarily method I use for nutrient control with carbon dosing to increase bacteria populations and skimming to remove them.

Yes so I probably just have to adjust my daily dosage then. Weird how my Po4 is so high but my nitrate stayed the same.

 

[rishma]

Yea that’s what I thought. Weird that it also seems to affect my dosing… Turned the skimmer back on and reduced my dosing. Maybe it’s just time to adjust my dosage or something.


Yea so that wouldn’t include my liquid dosing… weird. I’ll do some tests in a few days to check it out.


Yes so I probably just have to adjust my daily dosage then. Weird how my Po4 is so high but my nitrate stayed the same.

Actually, that doesn’t surprise me. Nitrate is typically more stable in my experience.