Protein skimming and nitrates

[b-ridge]

Will a protein skimmer actually help in reducing nitrates in a reef tank? I have a reef octopus 5000int inside my 125 gallon sump. It's at the appropriate height as suggested. However since I don't have my auto top off working my water level sometimes gets low in the skimmer section therefore the skimmer is not dialed in/working properly.
If so how does skimming work/help in reducing the nitrates?

 

[edd]

your skimmer removes nutrients, there fore lowering nitrates.
you should have an ato on a big sump like that, it will keep your skimmer in the right water level.

 

[b-ridge]

I am looking for a auto top off. Mine is not working for some reason. Nothing fancy or expensive. Just to hold me over until I finish getting my other components for my controller

 

[Long-Island-Mike]

Breakout box works great as an ATO with the apex

 

[greg 45]

Avast ato are nice , work well have mine for year's now

 

[masterswimmer]

C, why don't you have a baffle between your skimmer and your return pump? The baffle will keep a constant water level in the skimmer section. The only area you'll see any fluctuation in water level from evaporation will be in the return section......even with an external return pump.

 

[edd]

Avast ato are nice , work well have mine for year's now

+1 on the avast. i have mine 2 yrs no problems.
hey greg, you ever change the tube on the pump. thinking of changing it before it wears out.

 

[b-ridge]

Russ I do have a baffle in between my skimmer and my return pump. Return pump is also a external. Reeflo hammerhead gold. Evaporation is evaporation. I always thought something was off since my skimmer section would evaporate also. Guess it doesn't matter when it comes to evaporation

 

[masterswimmer]

Russ I do have a baffle in between my skimmer and my return pump. Return pump is also a external. Reeflo hammerhead gold. Evaporation is evaporation. I always thought something was off since my skimmer section would evaporate also. Guess it doesn't matter when it comes to evaporation

No sir. If your baffle is water tight then evaporation will only show in the return pump section. Evaporation will not show in the display tank, skimmer section, fuge, etc.

 

[b-ridge]

Hmmmm. That is interesting. I've alwys had evaporation in my skimmer section. When it gets warm we will have to re-baffle my sump Russ.

 

[masterswimmer]

Something is wrong with the sump/baffle/plumbing. The only area that pumps water out is the return. It forces water into the other areas through mechanical means, a pump. This is the reason we put our top off float switches in the return section.

The only time you would see evaporation in the display or skimmer section is If the return section went dry or the pump was shut off.

 

[BioMan]

+1 on return chamber only for the fluctuating water level...unless you only have 2 chambers.

 

[b-ridge]

Well sometimes with working all those hours my return section does get pretty low. Since my sump and fuge are in the basement I usually know it's running low when I look at main tank upstairs and I can start to see air bubbles coming out my loc line heads.
That's where the ato comes into play. I can have everything on a even peel and the skimmer could/should work properly. Therefore helping to reduce my nitrates in time

 

[masterswimmer]

I think we found a plausible reason.
IMO getting an auto topoff on your system should be incredibly high on your to do list.

 

[b-ridge]

Lol. I'm working on it. This week for sure. Just waiting for it to get a little warmer before I set up my controller. Then everything will just be automated

 

[edd]

Lol. I'm working on it. This week for sure. Just waiting for it to get a little warmer before I set up my controller. Then everything will just be automated

why, is your tank outside, LOL.

 

[b-ridge]

Lol. Not outside. Would be nice though. That will have to wait until I move to Brazil or someplace warm. My sump and fuge is in my basement. In case you've never been up to these parts of New York but it gets bitterly cold. We get inches of snow while the city gets rain. But we're able to put our cars in our garages while you guys get plowed in and your cars get scratched up from the plow.
I'm waiting for it to get warmer cause more than likely I am going to have to drill a little hole in my floor from all the wires. I've had my controller for almost 2 years I think. Still trying to figure things out as far as placement and plug ins and the like. My thought process keeps changing. I know k.i.s.s. Keep,it simple stupid. Easier said than done

 

[edd]

i have my sump in basement also, and its cold cause i shut the heat off. so i know what you mean. i have my rke split between up and down stairs so i can shut my pumps from up stairs.