protein skimmer

[crete456]

hello all!...ive just placed a cpr2 bak pak in my 37 gal. saltwater tank...i have a few questions...does a protein skimmer remove phosphates and nitrates...if not whats the best way to remove these from my tank...also does it remove copper from the water?..thanks

[WillieM96]

From what I understand (and I may very well be wrong) a skimmer will only remove organic molecules that can later convert into natrates but does not remove the nitrates themself. Phosphates I don't know about. I'm pretty certain that it does not remove carbon.

[WillieM96]

sorry...that should read "does not remove copper" not carbon.

[Poseidon]

I would say a skimmer PREVENTS nitrates, rather then it removes them. No on the phosphate, and NO on the copper, those 2 you either have to prevent them from being added or find other means for removal. (rowaphos, and to some extent Cuprasorb)

[Freddy Twotimes]

As far as the copper and Phosphates are concerned there is a treated pad called a Poly filter. It turns color when it removes metals from the water and it does a great job of removing Phosphates. I have never had a problem with metals in my tanks but the Poly filter removed the Phosphates extreamly well.

In fact, I cut the filter pad in half and it lowered the Phosphate level about 1.5 ppm in my tank in 24 hours of putting it in.

[oktober7609]

Water changes.

Water changes can correct all things evil as far as water quality goes.

This will make your tests look better, but eventually you need to put on your detective hat, and figure out what is making the bad substance to begin with...

Too high of a bio-load will throw off your nitrates and/or phosphates- so will overfeeding, etc....

-oktober7609

[Steven Pro]

See here for an analysis of the surprising number and variety of things that skimmers can remove including phosphorous, copper, calcium, aluminum, iodine, and iron amongst others,
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php

[WillieM96]

Wow...good stuff. Thanks for the info Steven.