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I feel like I go through this every year lol. I think Salty can attest to that. There are things I can do to help that I always neglect to remember. ;FacepalmMaybe buy or rent (if possible) a CO2 meter just to see what the state of things really is. I think they go for about $100 online.
If you wind up seeing that you have 2000+ ppm of CO2 like happened in another thread, then maybe that fresh air run will look more worthwhile in spite of the distance. Or maybe a whole-house solution would be in order – that's what happened in the other thread. Dude said his sleep and mood both improved. ;Brb
2¢
So, for the skimmer it's running from 8am to 11pm. It's loud and I need sleep lol. Also, I had been running a phyto experiment which is coming to an end tomorrow. Coolia was popping up and wanted to try and suppress it's growth. The experiment involved heavy dosings of phyto to trigger green water. Another reefer did this with 1500mL on a 90 gallon tank. He didn't sacrifice a skimmer or anything else and it worked for him. Though, again, unidentified dino. So, I went with 500mL on my 30 gallon. In the last 9 days I've dosed 450mL of phyto without achieving green water. However, the tank glass and rocks are a rich green. So far I've seen a reduction in cyano but not Dino's. Amphipods have also grown to a crazy high population.
Skimmers in of themselves are debatable. You love them or hate them. Large reef tanks most certainly need one. Nanos though, you really have to look at what's happening. Small water volumn with slight salinity swings, increased nutrient export, increased co2, possible pH swings(as shown), and reduced zooplankton. With consistent feeding, weekly water changes, and sufficient mechanical filtration, I just don't see the need for one.