will a good skimmer helps lower nitrate?

M

mrb

I was just wondering if a goood skimmer help lower nitrate or phosphate, etc....??? looking at Euroreef RC500 for my 215g.
 
Will a skimmer remove nitrates? That's unclear to me.. will a skimmer remove things that break down eventually into nitrates? Absolutely!
 
@mrb wrote:
I was just wondering if a goood skimmer help lower nitrate or phosphate said:
Like Scott said, it really removes waste and organics from the tank that would eventually become nitrates and phosphates.
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Most mfgrs typically overrate their skimmers (or underrate the bioload of a tank of a particular size, not sure which). I try to shoot for a skimmer rated at 1.5-2x what my system volume is. I figure anything bigger than that is just extra money wasted.
 
I was looking at Euroreef RC-250 or RC-500.. is it worth the extra $500 between the two...but the model RC-250 rated at 180g with a large bioload....that sure if that skimmer is actually good for my 215g...leaning toward RC-500 just in case...
 
I'm sure Marc or one of the guys who have Euroreefs will speak up about how close their recommendations re size actually are..
 
I've had a couple Euroreefs over the years, I would say they are much close then most manufacturers. So if your willing to go low bioload on your 215 then the smaller one would work. If you have normal to heavy bioload you should go with the bigger. Have you considered an ASM G4?
 
There is a product out there called a denitrator which helps to remove the nitrates out of the tank. I have one running on my tank. I just have to feed it 20 ml of vodka every thursday so that the anerobic baterias can convert the nitrate to nitrite which then basically bubble up and out of the tank.

I've been testing the tank perameters on a weekly basis now for the past couple of months and havent had any nitrate show up on the test kit.

however, that said... I also have a 18 inch sand bed in the sump to help the mechanical de-nitrator. Before the denitraor, I was still showing nitrates, after adding it... its been great.

And if there is an alcohol shortage.... you can always take some of the vodka... The fishes never complain. :wink:
 
I thought about getting an ASM G-5 or Euroreef CS-400, but then I would have to redo my sump for an internal skimmer....I really need an external so I don't have to replumb any pvc.
 
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