Do you run you're skimmer 7x24??

[ReefWorld03]

Just wondering if some people only run them for a certain number of hours daily or do you get them running 7x24.

[fishdoc11]

If you mean 24/7 then yes:)

[Amphiprion]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10569180#post10569180 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishdoc11
If you mean 24/7 then yes:)
24/7 here, as well.

[rutz81]

yes

[toothman]

I think you need to look at a skimmer as a tool. Carbon is a tool and phos ban is a tool to reduce organic particles. A reef tank needs a certain amount of food to exist. Too much reduction is too much. Not enough organic reduction is bad. Acros like to to eat and will grow accordingly. So turning off a skimmer on a super lean tank might be the best thing you can do for you stonys.

[five.five-six]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10569931#post10569931 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by toothman
I think you need to look at a skimmer as a tool. Carbon is a tool and phos ban is a tool to reduce organic particles. A reef tank needs a certain amount of food to exist. Too much reduction is too much. Not enough organic reduction is bad. Acros like to to eat and will grow accordingly. So turning off a skimmer on a super lean tank might be the best thing you can do for you stonys.

in that case you probably have too big of a skimmer. it takes a bit for the foam in the neck to build up. when you shut your skimmer down, that nutrient rich scum is droped back in to your tank

[Roger928]

24x7

[trueblackpercula]

yes i do........i did try and stop running it and got lots of Algea growth. But on a positive note I saved some money on the electric bill and my sps get better with color. But who wants algea?
Michael

[ZooZ]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10570381#post10570381 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by trueblackpercula
But who wants algea?
Michael

I want algae!! Coraline algae that is:D

[gcarroll]

18/7 here. Forget the stonies, it's best for the electric bill!

[ReefRockerLive]

Running the skimmer 24/7 here.

[sin05_omar]

Running 24/7 as i believe it is the best for my tank... Different tanks have different needs.... So to the thread starter ReefWorld03... I believe you need to know whats best for your tank....and adjust your equipment/husbandry accordingly..

[Znut Reefer]

Yep 24/7 here too.

[ZooZ]

how about when you guys dose your tank with phyto? Still have it on??

[bonbon2007]

I only stop skimmer at the time of water change everyweek. I also clean it up once per month.

[ReefWorld03]

Seems like the majority of people keeping it running non stop. I just asking because I was wondering if my SPS were not as dark and rich in color because I was over skimming. I am starting to notice more pastel like colors. Thanks for the replies!

[Orochimaru]

24/7...going with the flow.

[mile sq. reefer]

24/7 w/o a doubt.

[RichConley]

I've been thinking about dropping back to about 14/7. I'm running 24/7 now, but theres a good 10 hours a day or so where its not doing anything because theres nothing left for it to take out.

Well, that is for now.... when I get another 10 fish or so, I may need to run it more (I've got 12 or so now)

[raddogz]

24/7 running the skimmer.

I turn off the main pump when feeding or will disconnect the skimmer cup when feeding Rotifeast or Phytofeast.

[fishdoc11]

If your corals are becoming lighter only running the skimmer part time could indeed be something to try. You could also try feeding your fish more or getting a few more fish(not sure how many you have now). Skimming drier might also be a possibility. Describing your system specs might help us come up with other ways to help.

Chris

[Wazzel]

I run mine 24/7.

[crispyreef]

24/7 also

[GSMguy]

24/7/365

[ReefWorld03]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10573846#post10573846 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishdoc11
If your corals are becoming lighter only running the skimmer part time could indeed be something to try. You could also try feeding your fish more or getting a few more fish(not sure how many you have now). Skimming drier might also be a possibility. Describing your system specs might help us come up with other ways to help.

Chris

Chris,

I was thinking I was over skimming because my tank only has 6 fish in a 210 gallon system and I feed every other day. All params are within normal specs CA=425, ALK=approx 9, MAG=1325 all others are at 0. Corals have great PE and are growing at a good rate. I run a combination of 400W SE radiums and 12K reeflux bulbs for only a total of 6 hours daily. I knew I was low on fish but was probably being to selective on what I put in my tank.

Mike

[fishdoc11]

If it were me the first thing I would try is feeding the fish a couple of times a day and skimming a little drier. I like to feed my fish though:)

Chris

[ReefWorld03]

Well I'm going to give it try and see what happens. What do like feeding your fish?

Thanks Chris !!

[fishdoc11]

No problem:)

I feed mine mysis and enriched brine shrimp with a little Prime Reef thrown in every couple of days. I also feed half a sheet of Nori every 2 or 3 days in a lettuce clip. It all depends on what kind of fish you have. I have a bunch of plankton eaters(wrasses, dottybacks, clowns, anthias) with a tang thrown in.

Chris

[crazedreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10570381#post10570381 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by trueblackpercula
But who wants algea?

I think people forget that algae is abundant on the any reef in the world...There are so many fish that are dependent on it...Not sure why everyone absolutely hates algae, when it is part of the reef...

[spankey]

I have one very important question about not running a skimmer 24/7. I do in fact run mine non stop.

Lets say you run a skimmer for say 10 hours a day. Wouldn't the water become yukie or stagnant in the skimmer the extended period of time its turned off?

Just curious.....

[raddogz]

Yes, it will.

[humbugy]

24/7/365

[patej]

i turn my skimmer off for 2 days a week, right after i dose phyto,,, no probs yet

[markandkristen]

i was fixin to mention that i have some extra rotifers that has phyto in it and when i put it in the water my skimmer quits working for like 3-4 hours

for the poll sakes i would run the skimmer 24-7 and feed more.

maybe turn it off for a hour at night and feed real heavy then watch the skimmer go nuts

[ThaNgBOm321]

ok sry to just jump in but after reading.... am i over skimming??? rps-3000 (same as octo 200 recirc) moded .. i have 2 yellow tail damsals (1.5or so ), 1 yellow tang (5.5 inches) 2 coral beauty (3 to 4 inches) pajama cardinal... (3.5 inches.. i really dont like this free fish but ooo well) i feed about 1 cube worth of food a day... except these last few days.. everyone in the house been feeding... and now i got a little algea so im cutting buck to 1/2 cube a day for a little while..... i have about 130 gals worth in my system... and 4 mj-mods ... 6 54 t5ho and a 400se mh...

over skimming??? should i get more fish??

YzGyz

[fishdoc11]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10584105#post10584105 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ThaNgBOm321
ok sry to just jump in but after reading.... am i over skimming??? rps-3000 (same as octo 200 recirc) moded .. i have 2 yellow tail damsals (1.5or so ), 1 yellow tang (5.5 inches) 2 coral beauty (3 to 4 inches) pajama cardinal... (3.5 inches.. i really dont like this free fish but ooo well) i feed about 1 cube worth of food a day... except these last few days.. everyone in the house been feeding... and now i got a little algea so im cutting buck to 1/2 cube a day for a little while..... i have about 130 gals worth in my system... and 4 mj-mods ... 6 54 t5ho and a 400se mh...

over skimming??? should i get more fish??

YzGyz

Impossible to tell from your info....do you think you are overskimming? If so...why?

[ThaNgBOm321]

i dont think im over skimming but then again im here asking this q?... i dont really know if im over feeding either...they dont ever stop eating... i can feed like 5 cubes a day and they will eat it all... i dont get too much skimmate so this is part of the reason why i think im over skimming... i can skim for 2 weeks and not fill my cup... it's about dark tea color... like there isn't much to skim.. on the other hand... my cheato grow like mad... i realy need a definate answer cuzz my tank is doing fine.. it's just one of those things that i would like to know since in would further educate me on my tank..

YzGyz

[Jar*Head]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10584850#post10584850 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ThaNgBOm321
i dont think im over skimming but then again im here asking this q?... i dont really know if im over feeding either...they dont ever stop eating... i can feed like 5 cubes a day and they will eat it all... i dont get too much skimmate so this is part of the reason why i think im over skimming... i can skim for 2 weeks and not fill my cup... it's about dark tea color... like there isn't much to skim.. on the other hand... my cheato grow like mad... i realy need a definate answer cuzz my tank is doing fine.. it's just one of those things that i would like to know since in would further educate me on my tank..

YzGyz


Can you give us some more detail on your protein skimmer, how many fish etc....

I run my protein skimmer 24\7 the only time i turn them off is when i need to clean the pump and the bubble defuser plate. My protein skimmer rated for 1000g system, my total water volume approx 550-600g. I get approx 5g of dark skimmate weekly. BTW, i only feed i time a day with 10 cubes of frozen food....

[SALT WATER CRAZ]

24/7 365 hear - my only down time is for cleaning lol

[Dejavu]

24/7

[ThaNgBOm321]

it's a octopus rps-3000 (dnw 200) don't know what it's rated for but it's 8''x20'' reaction chamber with a otp3000.... i did the pf4 mod, enlarged the outlet pipes & vinturi, and smooth the outlet of the volute... the inhabitants and feeding is on my 1st post... ohh and the skimmer is fed off a 't' off my overflow... im guessing about 230 gph...

YzGyz

[Jar*Head]

Hello Thangbom, Are you skimming wet or dry? I notice with the RPS-3000 you have to skim it a little wet. Do you have turbulence inside the reaction chamber? What size of the bubble when it get to the top? I know you have done lots of modification to it. May be you should adjust the air a little and make sure the bubble stay small when it get to the top. Adjust your water level approx 1" before it overflow. Please keep us update.... thanks

[ThaNgBOm321]

im skimming almost dry imo ( i cant see my neck through the skimmate) ... the neck is 3'' dia by 8'' tall... the neck gook up at where the actual cup starts (the top 4'' of the neck) ... the bubbles size is puny until the first 2'' of the neck.. from there it gets bigger and bigger ( it maxes out at about " O " +/- a little size) my water line is about 2mm under where the taper from the body to the neck begins... the turbulance in the reaction chamber is high imo.. but it don't break the foam ( once it passes the water line it stays purdy solid) bio-load is very low for my system... 155 bf w/55 gal sump/fuge... but the actual water volum is about 120/130 gals or so...

TIA
YzGyz

[jman77]

i run it 24/7 i see no reason not to... figure this much, during the day i feed so it should be on, at night with all the biological processes using up O2 and converting it to co2 , it should definitely be on ,then.... so 24/7 for me ...

[Sophia&Dad]

About 21/7. Shuts down automatically 3 x daily for 30 minutes during recirc pump shutdown (my attempt at simulating tidal/wave action) also 45 minutes during feeding.

[pepeinthenavy]

How was it said "7x24" then yes I do that as well.

[mm949]

hey mikey....welcome to the club....have same problem(still) with one of my tanks generating some odd color morphs....i was always under the impression that colors got deeper from blocking out UV light and the clearer the water the more UV resulting in more color....i did a TDS test on the tank and found it higher than my other tanks that showed natural colors...so if u figure it out let me know....??

[kenettson1]

24/7

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10587738#post10587738 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ThaNgBOm321
im skimming almost dry imo ( i cant see my neck through the skimmate) ... the neck is 3'' dia by 8'' tall... the neck gook up at where the actual cup starts (the top 4'' of the neck) ... the bubbles size is puny until the first 2'' of the neck.. from there it gets bigger and bigger ( it maxes out at about " O " +/- a little size) my water line is about 2mm under where the taper from the body to the neck begins... the turbulance in the reaction chamber is high imo.. but it don't break the foam ( once it passes the water line it stays purdy solid) bio-load is very low for my system... 155 bf w/55 gal sump/fuge... but the actual water volum is about 120/130 gals or so...

TIA
YzGyz

If you can't see bubbles in the neck, your skimmer needs to be cleaned. Its not properly working if the neck is dirty.

[trueblackpercula]

If you can't see bubbles in the neck, your skimmer needs to be cleaned. Its not properly working if the neck is dirty.
I could not agree more :)
Michael

[ThaNgBOm321]

i clean it every week... i ment the consistency of the skimmate is dark enough in the cup that i cant see through it to see the neck... again... i clean my cup 1x a week full or not...

YzGYz

[jessezm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10595220#post10595220 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
If you can't see bubbles in the neck, your skimmer needs to be cleaned. Its not properly working if the neck is dirty.

Rich are you absolutely sure about this? The reason I ask is because I observe a continuous buildup of scum, and I mean slimy, tidal mud type scum, in the neck of my skimmer. My feeling is that it is just depositing the scum on the inside of the neck rather than in the collection cup (although plenty makes it to the collection cup, too). After about three or four days (max) when I empty my skimmer cup and clean the neck, I can scrape out about 1/8 cup of this stuff. It's the consistency of marsh mud, so I assume it's super concentrated skimmate. As long as this stuff keeps coming out of the tank, can't we assume the skimmer is doing what it's supposed to?

[trueblackpercula]

you are running you skimmer wet try to run it dry and see what happens
michael

[st9z]

24/7

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10587738#post10587738 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ThaNgBOm321
im skimming almost dry imo ( i cant see my neck through the skimmate) ... the neck is 3'' dia by 8'' tall... the neck gook up at where the actual cup starts (the top 4'' of the neck) ... the bubbles size is puny until the first 2'' of the neck.. from there it gets bigger and bigger ( it maxes out at about " O " +/- a little size) my water line is about 2mm under where the taper from the body to the neck begins... the turbulance in the reaction chamber is high imo.. but it don't break the foam ( once it passes the water line it stays purdy solid) bio-load is very low for my system... 155 bf w/55 gal sump/fuge... but the actual water volum is about 120/130 gals or so...

TIA
YzGyz


i think your underskimming and thats why you have algae.. when people talk about overskimming its usually a smaller tank with a skimmer rated for 400g. or a 400g with a 1000g skimmer never a 210g system with a skimmer rated for 200g

so for you to overskim in my opinion you would need two more of those skimmers running 24/7

[RichConley]

GSMguy, that skimmer can more than handle his tank...hes just running it too dry. The DNW200 is no different than a lot of those skimmers that are rated for 400-600 gallons.

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10610366#post10610366 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
GSMguy, that skimmer can more than handle his tank...hes just running it too dry. The DNW200 is no different than a lot of those skimmers that are rated for 400-600 gallons.

but he is not overskimming thats all im saying im not saying he needs a new skimmer.

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10610436#post10610436 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
but he is not overskimming thats all im saying im not saying he needs a new skimmer.

If hes not over skimming, than neither would he be running a ER RC250 (rated for 550 gallons by ER, atleast according to marine depot), H&S A200-1260 (350 gallons), or Deltec AP851 (400g).


Ratings on skimmers are silly, and judging whether someone is overskimming by a rating is just as silly. My TF1000 is rated for 200 gallons.

[brandyrb]

24/7 here also...

I have a deltec ap702 on a 125gal and it doesn't take long for gunk to cover the inside of the neck so I can't see the bubbles. Maybe 3 days. I leave the cleaning to my husband (can't stand the smell), and he's been cleaning it every 1 to 2 weeks. We get thick skimate, but not much of it. We also have ozone running through the skimmer.

What exactly is meant by running your skimmer dry vs wet? Is dry more air whereas wet is more water?

The deltec seems to only like a certain amount of air vs water. If the air is too low, the pumps make noise. If the air is too high, it overflows. The water level is supposed to be just above the bottom of the black fitting below the neck.

[brandyrb]

I can see through the neck below the collection cup, but not in it. If that makes sense...

[miztic]

23 hrs/day mon-friday, 22hrs/day on the weekend when I'm home to feed oyster eggs at night..
the skimmer goes off for an hour after feeding every day..

[danskim]

24/7 here. Except when cleaning :)

[wentreefgirl]

24/7 girl myself. Only off for water changes. And power outages.lol.