Bio Pellets?

Just because your protein skimmer is skimming more protein that doesn't mean that bio pellets are making it more efficient. If anything I suspect that they are creating more waste which is why the protein skimmer is skimming more. Don't be afraid if your skimmer doesn't pull out a lot. That just means your tank is clean.

Also, when people tell you that they have "zero nitrates" take it with a grain of salt. They are usually lying to themselves. (just learned this myself recently)

 

good theory, i have been considering trying bio pellets. and lately my nitrates have dropped after adding matrix to my tank in a small 30 dollar reactor. its been a month since they were added. but i can say before that my skimmer was bubbling all the time. now with the nitrate drop (yes i still have some nitrates i see the color change slightly when i test) my skimmer only bubbles after i feed it seems. i thought something was wrong with the skimmer so i pulled it and cleaned it all out pump and all and still the same. bubbles on and off, not constant. so your theroy about the water makes sense after what i have seen in the last week happening with my nitrate drop.

but on the other side people are ending up with 0 nitrates and water thats without algae from bio pellets or vodka dosing. which both work on the same principle

 

The skimmer is skimming out bacteria which is the export of nutrients from the tank. The bacteria take up N&P, but when they die they just release it back to the tank. The skimmer is what is exporting. Increased skimmer production with carbon dosing is common.

 

+1 pal...so true.

 

well zero nitrates is just impossible in any saltwater tank. even the ocean has nitrate although less than .1 ppm.

But I definitely think its possible to get your tank under the 1 ppm level.
My salifert test kits have read around .5 ppm of nitrate. I think it has a accuracy of .2 ppm on low range. One of these days I need to get a photometer.

I definitely wouldn't trust anyone thats reading zero's on API's tho.

 

I agree... API's just aren't good enough for my meticulousness! My Elos tells me 1ppm. Salifert is on the way for comparison. Nitrates are needed by certain organisms...other than algae

 

I tested with red sea and salifert kits. If its not 0 nitrates then its darn close to it because its not changing color. Like I said I did test 4 times each with both tests and only a few weeks ago tested with them both to have over 10ppm If its not 0 then like I said its mighty close. the skimmer is pulling more waste maybe its bio pellet waste but instead of having to clean the skimmer weekly I now do every 2-3 days.Its dark green thick and nasty. The tank seems to be getting clearer and the coral are brightining up more. To me I seem to think its helping.

 

What pellets are you using...again?

 

Bulk Reef Supply Bio pellets someone asked for phosphate reading also I just took 2 readings one was 0 one was .001 The corals are starting to color up better then they had looked and the tanks health over all seems to be improving.

Doratus

I understand how the skimmer works and sometimes will skim flat. Very common when your water is clean during feeding of certain foods, Hands in tank etc. I guess I was wondering as many people who vodka dose note increase skimmer production so I was under the impression carbon dosing increased this not nessaraly the source of the carbon whether vodka or bio pellets were just waste that the skimmer pulled out of the water.

 

Bacteria need Phosphorus, Carbon, and Nitrogen. Carbon dosing allows you to maintain a higher bacteria population than would normally exist. They use up P & C so those level drop in your tank. Some of them are skimmed out (and take the P & C with them).