FlyinBryan
New member
So i accidently left my protein skimmer off on my 150 gal tank for aproximately 48 hrs. Fish and corals all seem to be doing well. Is there anything i should be concerned about besides the obvious?
Protein skimmer accidently left off
- Thread starter FlyinBryan
- Start date
ColaAddict
New member
Also, keep an eye on your Nitrates/phosphates if you have a reef tank as they will probably be higher without the skimmer. If you have a fowlr, they don't mind high nitrates/phos.
FlyinBryan
New member
Thx everyone for ur quick responses!! Cola i will def keep my eye on that. Its a corals and fish tank. Look forward to the nasties!! 
SkullV
New member
Honestly you will likely see no difference in skimming performance. Skimmers are only ~30%-40% efficient anyway so most of it is just going to keep passing around until your next water change.
I would personally do a nice 20% water change. That would have a much more significant impact.
I would personally do a nice 20% water change. That would have a much more significant impact.
Pufferpunk
New member
I turn mine off for 24 hours after heavy spot-feeding.
FlyinBryan
New member
Whats spot feeding, or heavy spot feeding?
ColaAddict
New member
Spot Feedig, when you hand feed your LPS or use a syringe/baster to feed SPS, instead of pouring food into the aquarium. That way you make sure your corals get the food and you actually use less food, which means less waste/detritus in your tank.
FlyinBryan
New member
Gotcha..thats what i kinda thought but just wanted to make sure. Thx
Pufferpunk
New member
I start by defrosting frozen mysis & bloodworms (I usually have to chop the mysis into smaller pieces, in a blender or food processor). Drain & add RO water, with Vita-Chem &
Selcon. Soak for a few hours. Add 1/4 tsp of any powdered dry foods I find, with a chunk of Rod's Food & a piece of Cyclopeeze. I turn off all flow & spot-feed everything that has a mouth, with a turkey baster. When they look like they'v e eaten most of the food I've placed on them (usually a hour or 2), I turn on the flow but leave the skimmer off for another 24 hours. I do this every 10-14 days.
Selcon. Soak for a few hours. Add 1/4 tsp of any powdered dry foods I find, with a chunk of Rod's Food & a piece of Cyclopeeze. I turn off all flow & spot-feed everything that has a mouth, with a turkey baster. When they look like they'v e eaten most of the food I've placed on them (usually a hour or 2), I turn on the flow but leave the skimmer off for another 24 hours. I do this every 10-14 days.
SkullV
New member
All of that finely ground protein and fat (oil) decomposing for 24 hours with absolutely no nutrient export sounds like a nutrient issue waiting to happen.
jcarlilesiu
Active member
I think the amount of food would have to be determined, as in how much is left over and relying on the nitrifying bacteria to breakdown.
If its all being consumed within that period of time, I don't see that as an issue.
Over feeding is the issue.
Pufferpunk
New member
No issues, plenty of good bacteria, especially with vitamin C dosing. No worries here!
SkullV
New member
True, but things like Cyclopeeze, "Powdered food", and Pureed mysis will NOT be even close to entirely consumed no matter how hard you try. Just fish swimming around would be enough to kick that stuff up into the tank. Have you ever dropped .5ml of Selcon into your tank? It clouds things up pretty fast!
If somehow it is 100% consumed in that period I agree that there would be no nutrient issue.
Pufferpunk
New member
Looks better than ever! Everyone has problems with their system from time to time... <<<MOD EDIT: Addressed concern>>>