Let's talk about bio load.

[Aquattro]

So then, how do I estimate my bioload? Good question, huh??

[reefwars]

I always just get a skimmer twice rated my volume size , seems to work well lol

[tom55228]

i have always gauged my bio load on type of fish and how many I have and size and feeding .I have a 90 gal tank and I think I am pushing the heavy side of bioload I don't think theres away to measure other then maybe skimate from your skimmer .I like the idea of a skimmer twice the size or close to more then half of water volume . just my two cents worth

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by reefwars

I always just get a skimmer twice rated my volume size , seems to work well lol

Ya, works well. Guess there's no real answer to this

[Proteus]

Way more complicated than I would have ever thought. After doing some reading the bioload also is affected buy amount of available oxygen, surface area (which is probably for oxygen) free swimming area and fish behaviour (sand sifters , schooling)

[reefwars]

Not to mention bacteria of all sorts , these are a bio load often overlooked

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Ya, works well. Guess there's no real answer to this

I thought you dont care about these sorts of things in the hobby. You are my idol for the LTFA method (and I am not kidding).

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

I thought you dont care about these sorts of things in the hobby. You are my idol for the LTFA method (and I am not kidding).

lol! You're right, I don't really care, just thought it would be an interesting discussion. I'm looking at all kinds of skimmers that give different ratings based on bioload, and it occurred to me that there really is no measurable way to gauge this. Based on the thousands of responses, it's a tough question, or not many people are as curious as I

For me, get big skimmer, make big foam, remove big poop. Done job.

[mike31154]

I read somewhere that skimmers, no matter how efficient will never completely remove all organics, there's a very small difference between the best & mediocre ones in that regard. I doubt that there'a 'formula' to measure bioload that will work consistently for any given person's tank. If a tank is overstocked & under maintained with respect to water changes, I doubt that even the best skimmer will keep up.

One would think that measuring nitrates & phosphates would provide some indication of whether one's bioload is exceeding maintenance or skimming performance. Or if one is battling algae issues. I'm stumped because if anything my bioload has decreased lately, hair algae issues I've had in the past are almost non existent at the moment, but I recently tested my water (after not having done so for many moons) and my nitrate reading was about the highest I can remember.... yet minimum algae issues & the critters including anemone & coral I have are doing well....

[StirCrazy]

I think the best way is by food usage, more food the heavier the bioload, but this is complicated by natural occurring food in the tank, like algae that your tangs might eat and so on.

In the end though the only way to tell if your skimmer is big enough is to see if it is removing what it is supposed to by water quality tests. That's why traditionally we have always doubled the size of skimmer that we thought we needed.

Steve