How often do you run protein skimmer??

[Swoody]

24/7 for me too.

 

[CodyRVA]

i believe people should give more details on their system when answering. Answers may vary from a LPS to a SPS tank, mix reef, Fish only. could be different answers also for different size of skimmer vs tank volume.
my 2 cents.

+1!

For me 24/7/365. Mixed reef. 80G rimless, 30G sump, dual filter socks, GFO, carbon dosing, medium bio load. Skimz DC Monzter 163DC skimmer.

 

[jason2459]

Not meaning to criticize, if it works for you fine but I don't understand why you you'll feed 6 times per day and remove the food with your skimmer then throw it away![emoji32]

A skimmer is not that efficient at mechanical filtration. Which to me is a good thing. GAC is much more efficient and so would a filter sock or rolling mat. A skimmer is excellent at aeration if there's enough dwell time.

 

[Liquidgold]

I'm considering also turning skimmer off for part of each day. For those who turn skimmer off, three questions:

1. does the off-period cause the skimmer body/collection cup surface biofilm to dry out and affect its performance or efficiency?
2. I read some research that even the best skimmer is only about 30% efficient at removing DOC, does taking off line really make a difference?
3. Some people turn off skimmer during feedings, does the on & off harm the pumps longevity?

Thank you.

 

[jason2459]

I'm considering also turning skimmer off for part of each day. For those who turn skimmer off, three questions:

1. does the off-period cause the skimmer body/collection cup surface biofilm to dry out and affect its performance or efficiency?
2. I read some research that even the best skimmer is only about 30% efficient at removing DOC, does taking off line really make a difference?
3. Some people turn off skimmer during feedings, does the on & off harm the pumps longevity?

Thank you.

I would add to this question. For those that turn off the skimmer do you remove all other mechanical filtration like GAC or Filter Socks or other polishing pads, foam and floss?

 

[Dumaurier7]

There're is an experiment posted on u tube showing the huge differences in growth when the skimmer is run constantly as opposed to scheduled, I'll look for it.

 

[jason2459]

I personally run my skimmers 24/7 on a mixed reef and lot of bubble tips. I also do not use any other kind of mechanical filtration as I like my micro fauna and a skimmer seems just to work just efficiently enough to help remove anything that attaches to a bubble but not totally hinder. Only other removal of micro-organisms on my system is when I clean my ATS screen off or my 1% daily automatic water changes. Again, neither very efficient at removing things. I also feed a lot.

 

[Dumaurier7]

A skimmer is not that efficient at mechanical filtration. Which to me is a good thing. GAC is much more efficient and so would a filter sock or rolling mat. A skimmer is excellent at aeration if there's enough dwell time.

I cannot see GAC being more efficient or doing more work than a good skimmer! It would take a whole lot of the stuff to outperform my SRO5000!

 

[jason2459]

I cannot see GAC being more efficient or doing more work than a good skimmer! It would take a whole lot of the stuff to outperform my SRO5000!

Already been shown a few times by Feldman that GAC is much more efficient then a skimmer.

 

[Dumaurier7]

Maybe but it becomes spent pretty quickly! It would cost a small fortune to maintain , a skimmer does have its place .

 

[Michael E.]

Should I run skimmer during cycling or no?

I did for the purpose of aeration. I also had my wave pumps turned up higher than normal

 

[jason2459]

Funny thing is, even as productive as my current skimmer is which is nuts, the skimmer's aeration capabilities is more important to me then it's filtering capabilities as I have low pH problems. Along with limewater dosing my skimmer is my second most effective means of helping to increase my pH.

But recently I have found that a skimmer's setup and performance can effect it's aeration abilities and dwell time along with bubble size is extremely important but that does not mean slower flow and increased air is the answer. I have found using the exact same skimmer with an adjustment to the flow and air draw I can influence pH in an opposite way of what I would have thought.

Increasing air draw and reducing flow actually was not as efficient in my skimmer as increased flow and lower air draw at boosting pH. I'm still playing with this so my full conclusion is still forming but I have a hypothesis that I'll be testing out.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/mtc-mvx-skimmer-review.252436/page-7

 

[jason2459]

I did for the purpose of aeration. I also had my wave pumps turned up higher than normal

It's also a good time for the skimmer to break in. Just keep the adjustments open more and not worry about actually producing any skimmate.

 

[Michael E.]

It's also a good time for the skimmer to break in. Just keep the adjustments open more and not worry about actually producing any skimmate.

Funny....I thought about that as soon as I posted the reply. Definitely a good time to get everything figured out

 

[jason2459]

Maybe but it becomes spent pretty quickly! It would cost a small fortune to maintain , a skimmer does have its place .

Then on the flip side some people are totally against skimmers. I don't know if a member is on this site with a screen name of TimFish but he has a beautiful tank and has been running skimmerless for close to two decades I believe and is very much against them. We have some back and forth from time to time but I don't feel he's totally wrong as he is a good example that one can run a reef tank in many many different ways very successfully.

Pick your poison and stick to it. Consistency in what is done is more important IMO.

 

[revhtree]

24/7 for me as well.

 

[revhtree]

Nice thoughts here as well: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/are-you-a-part-time-protein-skimmer.150959/

 

[Dumaurier7]

I've always thought that a lot of reefers keep their tanks way too clean which is unnatural, personality I haven't done a water change in almost a whole year without issues but I believe my skimmer helped me to do that .

 

[reefwiser]

Every aquarium is a balancing act of chemistry. I have ran skimmers on aquariums since 1983. It has always been a key part of balancing the chemistry of my saltwater aquarium. Before skimmers came into wide use in the hobby we could not keep corals in our aquariums. If one keeps aquariums over a long period of time you learn that each new tank brings new challenges.

 

[Mark_D]

24/7 on my SPS system. I feed very heavy though, at least six times a day into the display tank.

66666666666???? what the heck Are you feeding? Not suggested to keep whales in a tank....