Fight! Fight! Fight! Wet Skimming vs Dry Skimming

[Kaya]

raise the skimmer

That I did. Made no difference.

 

[reefviper101]

Wet Skimming vs Dry Skimming

Ok just kidding about the FIGHT part but let's for real discuss wet skimming versus dry skimming and why you like one over the other.

What's the difference?

Laymen terms: Dry skimming is when your protein skimmer produces an almost dry like foam that takes a lot longer for your collection cup to fill up. Wet skimming is very "wet" and produces a more liquid waste more often. Dry skimming waste is usually very dark in color while wet skimming is lighter and looks somewhat like tea. Don't drink it though!

@Randy Holmes-Farley terms: Foam draining is a critical stage for most skimmers. One problem with drainage is that some organics are washed away with the draining water. There is always an equilibrium between organics in solution, and those actually attached to the interface. As water continues to drain, some of the organics are lost. Further, as some bubbles pop and their organics are redistributed into the nearby water, the local concentration of organics in the water between the bubbles in the foam can rise to concentrations far higher than are present in the aquarium. For this reason, the most effective skimming, in terms of total organic removal, comes from removing somewhat wet foam, rather than waiting for this same wet foam to drain prior to removal. The primary difference between wet foam, and drained dry foam, is that additional water and some organics have drained away. A dry form is more efficient in terms of the amount of organic removed in relation to the water volume, and all skimmers and their potential adjustments strike some balance between removing more water and slightly more organics, or less water and slightly fewer organics. Perhaps a careful analysis of different types of skimming will, in the future, show this expected result experimentally.

So let's discuss it today!

1. Do you prefer dry skimming or wet skimming?

2. What differences in the two have you noticed when it comes to the exportation of waste from your reef tank?


image via @reeftivo

Wet Skimming vs Dry Skimming

Ok just kidding about the FIGHT part but let's for real discuss wet skimming versus dry skimming and why you like one over the other.

What's the difference?

Laymen terms: Dry skimming is when your protein skimmer produces an almost dry like foam that takes a lot longer for your collection cup to fill up. Wet skimming is very "wet" and produces a more liquid waste more often. Dry skimming waste is usually very dark in color while wet skimming is lighter and looks somewhat like tea. Don't drink it though!

@Randy Holmes-Farley terms: Foam draining is a critical stage for most skimmers. One problem with drainage is that some organics are washed away with the draining water. There is always an equilibrium between organics in solution, and those actually attached to the interface. As water continues to drain, some of the organics are lost. Further, as some bubbles pop and their organics are redistributed into the nearby water, the local concentration of organics in the water between the bubbles in the foam can rise to concentrations far higher than are present in the aquarium. For this reason, the most effective skimming, in terms of total organic removal, comes from removing somewhat wet foam, rather than waiting for this same wet foam to drain prior to removal. The primary difference between wet foam, and drained dry foam, is that additional water and some organics have drained away. A dry form is more efficient in terms of the amount of organic removed in relation to the water volume, and all skimmers and their potential adjustments strike some balance between removing more water and slightly more organics, or less water and slightly fewer organics. Perhaps a careful analysis of different types of skimming will, in the future, show this expected result experimentally.

So let's discuss it today!

1. Do you prefer dry skimming or wet skimming?

2. What differences in the two have you noticed when it comes to the exportation of waste from your reef tank?


image via @reeftivo

I'm not sure i have a skimmer on my 36g tho problem is i do not fully understand skimming and dialing in my skimmer isn't working vary well.

 

[bgallagher]

I have an issue with my skimmer as it overflow. Just started my tank but the skimmer isn’t new. Took the cup of for now and hoping it will calm the f..k down soon! It’s been going like this for three days...it’s a bubble king mini 180.

Boss skimmer! Raise it up a bit with some egg crate or skimmer stand.

 

[Coralsdaily]

I'm lazy, drier skimmers just means I don't have to empty it as often haha

 

[code4]

Wet Skimming vs Dry Skimming

Ok just kidding about the FIGHT part but let's for real discuss wet skimming versus dry skimming and why you like one over the other.

What's the difference?

Laymen terms: Dry skimming is when your protein skimmer produces an almost dry like foam that takes a lot longer for your collection cup to fill up. Wet skimming is very "wet" and produces a more liquid waste more often. Dry skimming waste is usually very dark in color while wet skimming is lighter and looks somewhat like tea. Don't drink it though!

@Randy Holmes-Farley terms: Foam draining is a critical stage for most skimmers. One problem with drainage is that some organics are washed away with the draining water. There is always an equilibrium between organics in solution, and those actually attached to the interface. As water continues to drain, some of the organics are lost. Further, as some bubbles pop and their organics are redistributed into the nearby water, the local concentration of organics in the water between the bubbles in the foam can rise to concentrations far higher than are present in the aquarium. For this reason, the most effective skimming, in terms of total organic removal, comes from removing somewhat wet foam, rather than waiting for this same wet foam to drain prior to removal. The primary difference between wet foam, and drained dry foam, is that additional water and some organics have drained away. A dry form is more efficient in terms of the amount of organic removed in relation to the water volume, and all skimmers and their potential adjustments strike some balance between removing more water and slightly more organics, or less water and slightly fewer organics. Perhaps a careful analysis of different types of skimming will, in the future, show this expected result experimentally.

So let's discuss it today!

1. Do you prefer dry skimming or wet skimming?

2. What differences in the two have you noticed when it comes to the exportation of waste from your reef tank?


image via @reeftivo

I love this skimmer! ATB has always worked for me. Only one I have ever had. Planning on buying another for my new build.

 

[Fourstars]

Depends on the day and what I’m trying to achieve with my tank.

 

[Taylor t]

Great question, that doesn’t have a one size fits all. Different times require different settings. When a tank is stable, or aged, dry skim works great. When a tank has issues, or cycles it’s going through, wet skim works best.

 

[Cali-Saltwater-1st-Timer]

So nobody really knows which one is best. Got it.

 

[Potatohead]

So nobody really knows which one is best. Got it.

Personally I don't think it makes much difference. With dry skimming you just get more junk on the neck and wetter skimming it ends up in the cup. Seems both remove the same amount of goo.

 

[Cali-Saltwater-1st-Timer]

Dry. Not sure how much better it is (or isn't) but it is satisfying.

 

[sohal tang]

Wet Skimming vs Dry Skimming

Ok just kidding about the FIGHT part but let's for real discuss wet skimming versus dry skimming and why you like one over the other.

What's the difference?

Laymen terms: Dry skimming is when your protein skimmer produces an almost dry like foam that takes a lot longer for your collection cup to fill up. Wet skimming is very "wet" and produces a more liquid waste more often. Dry skimming waste is usually very dark in color while wet skimming is lighter and looks somewhat like tea. Don't drink it though!

@Randy Holmes-Farley terms: Foam draining is a critical stage for most skimmers. One problem with drainage is that some organics are washed away with the draining water. There is always an equilibrium between organics in solution, and those actually attached to the interface. As water continues to drain, some of the organics are lost. Further, as some bubbles pop and their organics are redistributed into the nearby water, the local concentration of organics in the water between the bubbles in the foam can rise to concentrations far higher than are present in the aquarium. For this reason, the most effective skimming, in terms of total organic removal, comes from removing somewhat wet foam, rather than waiting for this same wet foam to drain prior to removal. The primary difference between wet foam, and drained dry foam, is that additional water and some organics have drained away. A dry form is more efficient in terms of the amount of organic removed in relation to the water volume, and all skimmers and their potential adjustments strike some balance between removing more water and slightly more organics, or less water and slightly fewer organics. Perhaps a careful analysis of different types of skimming will, in the future, show this expected result experimentally.

So let's discuss it today!

1. Do you prefer dry skimming or wet skimming?

2. What differences in the two have you noticed when it comes to the exportation of waste from your reef tank?


image via @reeftivo

So to be clear..if I set my skimmer to dry skimming as opposed to wet skimming...will the skimmer remove MORE nutrient then wet skimming or less nutrient then wet skimming ? Thanks for clarification. Tim

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

So to be clear..if I set my skimmer to dry skimming as opposed to wet skimming...will the skimmer remove MORE nutrient then wet skimming or less nutrient then wet skimming ? Thanks for clarification. Tim

Not more, maybe less.

Of course, the answer may depend on what you do to make wet vs dry foam, but if you just let a wet foam drain more to become a dry foam, it cannot possibly remove more organics than the wet foam does.

What is Skimming? by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Wet vs. Dry Skimming
Foam draining is a critical stage for most skimmers. One problem with drainage is that some organics are washed away with the draining water. There is always an equilibrium between organics in solution, and those actually attached to the interface. As water continues to drain, some of the organics are lost. Further, as some bubbles pop and their organics are redistributed into the nearby water, the local concentration of organics in the water between the bubbles in the foam can rise to concentrations far higher than are present in the aquarium. For this reason, the most effective skimming, in terms of total organic removal, comes from removing somewhat wet foam, rather than waiting for this same wet foam to drain prior to removal. The primary difference between wet foam, and drained dry foam, is that additional water and some organics have drained away. A dry form is more efficient in terms of the amount of organic removed in relation to the water volume, and all skimmers and their potential adjustments strike some balance between removing more water and slightly more organics, or less water and slightly fewer organics. Perhaps a careful analysis of different types of skimming will, in the future, show this expected result experimentally.

 

[MnFish1]

Not more, maybe less.

Of course, the answer may depend on what you do to make wet vs dry foam, but if you just let a wet foam drain more to become a dry foam, it cannot possibly remove more organics than the wet foam does.

What is Skimming? by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Wet vs. Dry Skimming
Foam draining is a critical stage for most skimmers. One problem with drainage is that some organics are washed away with the draining water. There is always an equilibrium between organics in solution, and those actually attached to the interface. As water continues to drain, some of the organics are lost. Further, as some bubbles pop and their organics are redistributed into the nearby water, the local concentration of organics in the water between the bubbles in the foam can rise to concentrations far higher than are present in the aquarium. For this reason, the most effective skimming, in terms of total organic removal, comes from removing somewhat wet foam, rather than waiting for this same wet foam to drain prior to removal. The primary difference between wet foam, and drained dry foam, is that additional water and some organics have drained away. A dry form is more efficient in terms of the amount of organic removed in relation to the water volume, and all skimmers and their potential adjustments strike some balance between removing more water and slightly more organics, or less water and slightly fewer organics. Perhaps a careful analysis of different types of skimming will, in the future, show this expected result experimentally.

It might not remove 'more' than dry foam - could it remove less? (Which would have been my thought0

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It might not remove 'more' than dry foam - could it remove less? (Which would have been my thought0

Yes, I expect wet skimmate removes more organics, and it certainly cannot remove less if it is made just by less draining.

How much more is the unknown. 1%? 50%? 200%?

 

[MichaelReefer]

I tend to run right in the middle. Its darker than tea but not super thick.

 

[Db40]

I like to run my skimmer dry most of the time but then turn it up to wet once a week or so to get about 5g of skimmate off. Essentially a skimmed water change. I seem to feed pretty heavy so that helps me with nutrient control.

 

[Big Smelly fish]

I fry skim, dark green skimmate that really stinks