What other than DOC's do skimmers remove?

[TosT]

Hi, I'm new to saltwater fishtanks (4+years with FW, though). I haven't even set mine up (a 50G with 20G sump), but I'm doing lot's of research. My question relates to skimmers. My understanding is that skimmers remove primarily DOCs, which I can see the great benefit of. However, I've also heard that they might remove trace elements and/or bacteria/microorganisms. How true is this? Thanks for the help

[IslandCrow]

I hadn't heard this, but I'm pretty new to all of this as well. If you're actually trying to remove these things, a skimmer certainly wouldn't be your best bet. If you're worried about the skimmer removing them, I've never heard that as a problem.

[xtrstangx]

The only way it will remove the trace elements is if it is in the DOC. I don't want to get into the mechanics of skimming, but it isn't possible to remove it as an ion (like a Strontium ion)

Most bacteria isn't free floating in the water column, it is on hard surfaces (primarily rock and sand).