Proper skimming?

bacheller2000

bacheller2000

New Member
I read a post that mentioned "over skimming". I run my skimmer 24/7. Am I not supposed to? If not how long should I run it for each day?
 
nm reef

nm reef

Active Member
Personally I don't even consider the possibility...I run a fairly large skimmer on my 55 gal reef 24/7...and everything is alive and well.
Let her rip....:cool:
 
barracuda

barracuda

Active Member
Skimmer should be ON for 24/7.
In my understanding "overskimming" is production of white, not concentrated foam. This can happen due to wrong adjusted air flow regulator of venturi. Skimmer should be adjusted so, that foam concentrates and only then being pushed up into the collection cup. The scum in the collection cup should be dark green to black color.
So i say definitely leave the skimmer ON for 24/7. Except skimming, protein skimmer enriches water with oxygen which is good for healthy reef environment.
 
E

elan

Guest
thank you.. i am thinking of a skimmer and was wondering the same thing
 
j21kickster

j21kickster

Active Member
some corals- especially soft corals can benefit from modist skimming- since they can pull dissolved organic compounds (the same thing that a skimmer pulls out)out of the water, having a skimmer rated way over your tank size can lead to slower growth- but dont mistake that for slow growth in general- if you have a tank dominated by hard corals- overskimming isnt really an issue. I have ran a few tests of growth rates of soft corals in tanks with no skimmer (but with regular watercahnges) and that same tank months later running a skimmer that was very efficent and the growth rates were not as dramatic. but if you have good lighting and do regular waterchanges, it isnt much of a worry:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top