HOB skimmer runtime ecommendation

[Quentin05]

Hello,

My question is simple.
I have a Aquamaxx 1.5 HOB skimmer. I read that you should not run your skimmer 24/7 for different reasons but with an HOB like this when it turns on it fills the whole block so the ATO puts freshwater in. If I then turn it off it dumps all the saltwater back in the.return chamber making my filtration less efficient.

Is there any good advice on how to avoid that? Or should I just let it run 24/7?

I have a JBJ 45

Thanks

 

[Dan_P]

Hello,

My question is simple.
I have a Aquamaxx 1.5 HOB skimmer. I read that you should not run your skimmer 24/7 for different reasons but with an HOB like this when it turns on it fills the whole block so the ATO puts freshwater in. If I then turn it off it dumps all the saltwater back in the.return chamber making my filtration less efficient.

Is there any good advice on how to avoid that? Or should I just let it run 24/7?

I have a JBJ 45

Thanks

There is rarely a good reason to turn off the skimmer.

Not sure what your operational difficulty is though.

 

[Quentin05]

There is rarely a good reason to turn off the skimmer.

Not sure what your operational difficulty is though.

I made a mistake and dosed Melafix this other day so I did another post and the forum about how the skimmer went crazy etc and a few people told me my skimmer should not run 24/7 anyway which is why I am asking this.

My operational problem if I turn off the skimmer is about the fluctuation of water level in the back chamber, so the ATO fills with freshwater, so the salinity is impacted. But once Melafix is gone I guess I ll just let it run 24/7.

I was also thinking it would be nice to be able to turn it off if I am watching a very good movie and want to be in the mood because it runs pretty loud even with the silencer.

 

[Gman83]

I just replaced my aquamaxx 1.5 hob (I got a larger tank and needed a bigger skimmer), but i let it run 24/7. Never had any issues with doing so. The only time I think you wouldn't want to run a skimmer 24/7, is when you have an oversized skimmer, and all your nutrients are undectable

 

[Quentin05]

I just replaced my aquamaxx 1.5 hob (I got a larger tank and needed a bigger skimmer), but i let it run 24/7. Never had any issues with doing so. The only time I think you wouldn't want to run a skimmer 24/7, is when you have an oversized skimmer, and all your nutrients are undectable

Makes sense. Thank you

 

[Dan_P]

I made a mistake and dosed Melafix this other day so I did another post and the forum about how the skimmer went crazy etc and a few people told me my skimmer should not run 24/7 anyway which is why I am asking this.

My operational problem if I turn off the skimmer is about the fluctuation of water level in the back chamber, so the ATO fills with freshwater, so the salinity is impacted. But once Melafix is gone I guess I ll just let it run 24/7.

I was also thinking it would be nice to be able to turn it off if I am watching a very good movie and want to be in the mood because it runs pretty loud even with the silencer.

Short term would not matter. Longer term the water trapped in the skimmer might go bad/ferment without oxygen.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I've been using an aquamaxx 1.5 for almost 5 years, its been running 24/7 almost the whole time.

When you do a large water change, refill the aquamaxx at the same time that you refill the tank, so you need to make just a little extra water. That way it won't suck water from the tank and cause your ATO to fill it back up.

It is a loud skimmer, I agree, you can plug the other openings to help silence it a bit, like I did below.

 

[LPS Bum]

I have the same skimmer on my large FOWLR. It runs 24-7 and always will. I love that skimmer, with the only drawback being that I find it needs to be taken apart and cleaned every 3-4 months.

Just curious why you wouldn't want to run it 24-7. Are your nutrients bottoming out?

 

[Quentin05]

I've been using an aquamaxx 1.5 for almost 5 years, its been running 24/7 almost the whole time.

When you do a large water change, refill the aquamaxx at the same time that you refill the tank, so you need to make just a little extra water. That way it won't suck water from the tank and cause your ATO to fill it back up.

It is a loud skimmer, I agree, you can plug the other openings to help silence it a bit, like I did below.

Ye I am afraid to do so to not overflow. I however have spare pong pong balls to try it out. I hope that one day my tank will be mature enough that I will be able to have the cup that low and still get really dark skimmate

 

[Quentin05]

I have the same skimmer on my large FOWLR. It runs 24-7 and always will. I love that skimmer, with the only drawback being that I find it needs to be taken apart and cleaned every 3-4 months.

Just curious why you wouldn't want to run it 24-7. Are your nutrients bottoming out?

I never had any phosphates and my nitrates never got over 8ppt. My tank is 2mo old also with just 2 clowns so it makes sense.

 

[FUNGI]

check valve on input? so when off the water doesnt siphon out from there via pump.......

 

[FUNGI]

I just checked the design and a check valve on input would work perfectly for you as most of the water siphons out of the pump when turned off. The output pipe is almost level to the cup, so minimal amount will drain out of there when shut-off....and should help with no overflow once turned on again.

 

[FUNGI]

something like this:

 

[Quentin05]

something like this:

Will look into that ty