Running a Skimmer Without the Cup?

[Matt L]

I have an algae scrubber and protein skimmer on my sps reef tank. I was having issues with elevated nitrate, so that’s why I have the scrubber. Instead of turning the lights on and off the scrubber to control nitrate removal (It was dropping pretty good), I just took the cup off the skimmer. This allows the ph to stay up and provide some aeration for the tank, but not remove waste.

I’ve been doing this the last two months, and it has kept the nitrate level pretty stable. I have always had to dose phosphate because sps coral seem to absorb it.

I was wondering if anyone else has run a skimmer with the cup off? And what was the outcome?

 

[BryanM]

Interesting solution. I figured with the surf 4, since it needed air, that I was getting the same effect as the skimmer, so I ditched mine altogether.

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

Seems like a very expensive airstone at that point.

 

[Matt L]

Seems like a very expensive airstone at that point.

Yeah, but it was already sitting there. Plus if I need to use it again it’s a quick fix to skim again by putting the cup back on.