Protein Skimmers

[jjgina]

I'm reading up on salt water tanks and read that protein skimmers "skim" some of the trace elements out, how do they get back in?

[ravenmore]

Not sure if I entirely agree with that statement - but in any event, most artificial salt mixes have a hudge over abundance of elements in them. Simply doing regular water changes will replentish them. I don't think at any point though will you be in danger of achieving "low" levels.

hope this helps,
-Mike

[jjgina]

are the water changes on a saltwater tank as frequent as my freshwater (I change about 20% every 2 weeks)?

[naser]

some people change about 30 percent a month others not at all. and some do that once a week. it really depends on your load and your waste production.

[ravenmore]

I do 20% once a week, which is probably excessive. Maybe try 20% biweekly and adjust from there.

[mrok12]

I do 10% every monday religiously on a 65 gallon. The weekly water changes are more for my piece of mind than anything. You can do bi-weekly as well. Also if you can use ro water. It is worth it in the long run.

MROK12