Water temp and protein skimmer

[Headless_donkey]

Does water temperature affect protein skimmers? I am aware that the incoming air temp does.

Does a skimmer become more efficient at a certain temp?

Personal question: Why was my skimmer over flowing at night?

In my tank there was about a 4 degree swing from night and day. 77-81

I guess it could be something else, but the temp and the lights are the only thing that is different at night time.

[cpreefguy]

pH is also different at night, that may be effecting your skimmer

[leliataylor]

Bacteria are extremely sensitive to temperature. Depending on what is in your tank, at any given point in time, temperature will inhibit,kill or proliferate any micro-fauna in your tank. A 4 degree temperature swing in a 24 hour period is pretty extreme. Try to maintain a more constant temp and avoid feeding shortly before you turn the lights off.

[Headless_donkey]

Now that I have added a fuge it seems to have stopped.
So, it might be pH, but the temp is also more stable

[Headless_donkey]

Sweet! Sounds plausible to me. Like I said the temp is definitely more stable now.
It is also a brand new skimmer so the unpredictability could have been caused by the break-in period.
Anyway, the skimmer is behaving better now.

[leliataylor]

Bacteria will determine your pH. These are the guys that determine your nitrate, nitrite, amonia, etc, levels. Each one feeds on elemental compounds and will release toxic compounds back into the system. Stability will only occur with a constant bio-load and constant temp. Un-acheivable in a mico-environment. The best we can hope for is control. I am sure the fuge has made a huge difference.