How much skimming is too much?

[familiar1985]

I have been running my skimmer 24hrs, i was wondering is that too much skimming for a currently lightly stocked reef?

100 gal reef w/ asm g3 skimmer and young refugium. The chaeto in my fuge is growing really slow could this have anything to do with too much skimmer action? Would my tank benefit from running the skimmer just day time hours?

Ammonia-0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-5
Phosphate-0

[Playa-1]

You want to keep the skimmer running 24/7 and keep it clean. It's not uncommon for the Cheato to grow slowly in a new tank.

[melvinudawl]

wondering the same thing myself. I have an overpowered skimmer and I looked around on here. Seems most folks believe you can't over skim. I won't be able to help you much here, but you may want to include the light schedule on your fuge and the flow. Also, is the chaeto turning over in the water flow? Are you turning it manually?

I'm getting my system going, and done a lot of reading on here to get some direction. If you run chaeto it seems like you can either run 24/7 photo period or opposing your DT lighting. Those who don't run it 24/7 seem to believe that chaeto is best without constant exposure to light. It also seems like chaeto should be turned manually if water flow isn't accomplishing this to make sure that its getting light on a regular basis everywhere in its mass.

Based on feedback here, I'll have a photoperiod opposing my DT and turn the chaeto manually every other day.

If you search on here a bit you'll find a link to melev's site where he recommends a specific lamp for this purpose, that's he's found to be most effective....don't remember it though.

[familiar1985]

Im turning the chaeto manually. It sits on the bottom w/ 24hr light schedule. I guess ill just leave skimmer on 24/7

[stingythingy45]

I have a 90 gallon display.
20L refugium and 70 gallon sump and run my ASM G-2 24/7 and double chaeto every 2-3 weeks.....go figure.

[familiar1985]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13841961#post13841961 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stingythingy45
I have a 90 gallon display.
20L refugium and 70 gallon sump and run my ASM G-2 24/7 and double chaeto every 2-3 weeks.....go figure.

How much performance increase did you see from the recirculation mod on your asm? I was thinking about doing it but then i figured theres no point cuz im prob allready over skimming. Maybe ill do it later when i feel i need more skimming.

[stingythingy45]

I'd break off the 24/7 lighting schedule on youre chaeto and just go reverse of the display.Try that for a while and see if that makes a difference.

[stingythingy45]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13841980#post13841980 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by familiar1985
How much performance increase did you see from the recirculation mod on your asm? I was thinking about doing it but then i figured theres no point cuz im prob allready over skimming. Maybe ill do it later when i feel i need more skimming.

The skimmer already had the recirc. and gate valve mods when I bought it from a fellow reefer.But I can tell you if pulls a lot of skimmate.The bubbles in the body of the skimmer are unreal.

[tmz]

As a practical matter I don't think you can over skim except perhaps in specialized tanks where organisms requiring high nutrient water are grown.

[xXReefXx]

am running 5 seaclone 150 protein skimmer in my 125g. where each skimmer could hold up to 100g each, everything thrive like crazy..

[lamboraf]

I dont think you can over skim your tank.I do agree as to have your lights opposite to your display in your fuge, it will help with the PH level not to flactuate to much.

[E.intheC]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13841985#post13841985 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stingythingy45
I'd break off the 24/7 lighting schedule on youre chaeto and just go reverse of the display.Try that for a while and see if that makes a difference.

I agree. Also, I really don't think 24/7 skimming is too much. Keep it going full bore, all the time!:)