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Unread 03/24/2012, 12:51 PM   #1
dookie67
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Lightbulb Protein Skimmer Waste

Is there a good use for protein skimmer waste? Being spring, I was thinking maybe I could thin it out and use it to fertilize my garden or flower beds. Or some other use. It seems to be a waste to dump it down the drain if it would have benefits elsewhere.


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Unread 03/24/2012, 12:53 PM   #2
dookie67
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What about adding it to the compost bin?


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Unread 03/24/2012, 12:55 PM   #3
Lorenz725
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I always dump mine out int my compost area. I then use that dirt to grow vegetables it is just a natural fertilizer.


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Unread 03/24/2012, 02:55 PM   #4
dookie67
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Thanks Lorenz. That's what I'll do. I figured there was a bunch of 'good stuff' in there. Maybe not too good for fish, but fertilizer.


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Unread 03/24/2012, 02:58 PM   #5
dkerns06
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I put it in my watering can and water my house plants. Works way better than miracle grow liquid.

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Unread 03/24/2012, 02:58 PM   #6
elegance coral
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I think the compost pile is a good idea, but I'd watch the salt level. Many plants don't do well with high salt levels. I guess it depends on the size of the compost pile, and the amount of skimmit you dump in it.


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Unread 03/24/2012, 03:07 PM   #7
dookie67
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dkerns... miracle grow. I like that idea too!..


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Unread 03/24/2012, 03:09 PM   #8
windyridge
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I thought about watering plants with it but figured the salt would kill them. Plus it really stinks!


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Unread 03/24/2012, 04:03 PM   #9
dkerns06
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I probably put about a half cup of really black skim into about a gallon on water. Been doing it for a while now. Most of those fertilizer mixes have a lot of salts in them anyway. My books recommend flushing you plants out every few months anyway.

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Unread 04/18/2012, 02:45 PM   #10
Dr Colliebreath
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You guys are more daring than I am. I don't even like washing it into my sink and down the drain, let alone keeping it around and doing something with it.


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Unread 04/18/2012, 05:49 PM   #11
Dashiki
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I just empty it back into my sump. Is that wrong?


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Unread 04/18/2012, 06:34 PM   #12
jmowbray
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Quote:
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I just empty it back into my sump. Is that wrong?
lmao


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Unread 04/19/2012, 01:32 PM   #13
Playa-1
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You could put it in your boss-holes coffee pot


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Unread 04/19/2012, 02:03 PM   #14
Chromey316
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I wonder if it could help grow my green leaf plants...?


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Unread 04/19/2012, 02:34 PM   #15
Randy Holmes-Farley
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dkerns06 View Post
I probably put about a half cup of really black skim into about a gallon on water. Been doing it for a while now. Most of those fertilizer mixes have a lot of salts in them anyway. My books recommend flushing you plants out every few months anyway.

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Fertilizers do not generally have large amounts of sodium chloride the way skimmate will. Of course, the dryer it is the less salt will be in it, but I agree that folks should be wary of the salt addition. You may do more harm than good.


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Unread 04/19/2012, 07:28 PM   #16
jrpark22000
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You could put it in your boss-holes coffee pot
Nice idea. Just need to find a coffee with enough aroma to cover the smell of the skimmate.


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Unread 04/14/2021, 08:06 AM   #17
gwd
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how about recycling it..... feeding it back to corals?


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Unread 04/14/2021, 04:53 PM   #18
Vinny Kreyling
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I know a guy who feeds it back to the fish after drying it out.
Does it work?, for him it does.


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