Water Clarity Question

[mschum]

Hello,

I have a general question about water clarity and lighting and my skimmer. It's hard for me to convey what I'm thinking but here goes. Every once in a while, I'll come home from work and the tank will look exceptionally clear and bright. It seems that when this happens my skimmer is also fuller than usual. Do you guys ever notice this? The last time this happened I convinced myself that a birdsnest coral was bleaching on top due to the extra light. I have been battling algea for about 4 months now and I'm starting to think the problem is related to my Coralife Super skimmer. It seems that some days it skims really well (hence the brighter tank) and most other days it just doesn't skim very much. Do you think my logic is sound?

Thanks,

Mark

 

[cr500_af]

I don't know how it would relate to clarity, but those skimmers are notorious for being overly sensitive to water level in the sump where they sit. If you aren't using an ATO that would explain why it isn't consistent.

 

[mschum]

The water level does fluctuate as my ATO is currently me with a bucket. However, I am very consistent in top-offs (same time of day, fill to same level, never miss a day) so I don't see why the skimmer would work better on some days then others since yes the water does fluctuate but it fluctuates pretty much the same every day.

I'm going to upgrade the skimmer anyway (moving sump to basement) so it's not a big deal, I'm just frustrated as I can't pinpoint an exact source of my algea problem. I am currently running a filter sock, cleaning it out every day, running GFO, running 2 cups, replacing 1 cup every week. I've thouroughly tested my top off water for phosphates with a Hanah checker and I believe my top off water to be free of phosphates. I've also tested new salt water (RC) and I came up with .14, which I don't think is terrible. The only other issue I have is my PH runs low and I'm not running a reactor, I'm dosing two-part. My ph runs about 7.85 in the evening and 7.7 in the mornings. I've noticed an increase during spring and fall when the windows are open so I'm planning on running the skimmer air line outside once the sump is in the basement. I'm going to try to get the sump project done in the next month which will result in a lot of changes for the tank which I'm confident will fix the problems but I would feel better if I knew what was going on before making that many changes.

I'll try thouroughly cleaning the skimmer pump out this weekend and see what happens. I think that may help with the skimmer problems.

On a positive note, I test my tank phosphates weekly and it's been running .08 for about a month and this week is down to .05 so I think it's improving I'm anxious to see what it is next week. I'm also going to try to post my sump build too.

Mark

 

[rdnelson]

OK, maybe I am not seeing something here but.....

The water level in the sump should only change in the return pump compartment. If the skimmer is in the drain compartment and there is a bubble trap between the two compartments the water level in the drain compartment should always be consistent right?

 

[mschum]

ah, yes forgot to mention, my sump is a single compartment 20 gallon aquarium. So yes it does fluctuate.

 

[rdnelson]

Since you are doing manual top offs, I would recommend you install at least one baffle if not a bubble trap. It isn't hard to do. You can by a sheet of acrylic at HD for about $8.00 and cut it to size. Then a small tube of silicone for a few bucks and you got it. If you don't have anything to cut the acrylic with you are welcome to bring it by my place and I will run it through the table saw. The thin sheets of acrylic will bow a bit but I just use some scrap 3/4" PVC as spacers to brace it. Piece of cake.

Edit: I also built a cheap DIY ATO if you are interested. If you wanted to buy the materials I could help you build that at the same time. Here is the build thread. http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=65855">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=65855</a>

Its not pretty but it works great.

 

[mschum]

yeah I skipped that step when I set everything up as I didn't know what I was doing, I don't think I want to go that route now since I'm so close to moving the sump. I do have a bubble trap of sorts, flexible drain hose runs into a 4 inch PVC pipe about 16" long with holes drilled in the bottom. I put my sock inside the pvc pipe.