Over sized Skimmer?

[Mr. Fishy Fish]

Hey all, I have a Reef Octopus 300sss, a 210-gallon aquarium with a 40-gallon sump, and a 27-gallon cube refugium for cheato. I've been out of the hobby for approximately ten years. When I was in the hobby no one talked about having too big of a skimmer, now it seems like people are discussing how it leads to poor foam production due to the lack of a bio-load. I honestly don't understand why the poor foam production is an issue, doesn't it just imply the tank is clean? I don't see the issue, but if there is one I'd like to prevent it by either increasing my planned bio-load, by using the gauge on the skimmer or possibly both.

 

[Snoopy 67]

An over sized skimmer in simple terms will idle until there is enough in the water to pull out, do that & return to idle. Neck size is the biggest factor.

 

[Mr. Fishy Fish]

An over sized skimmer in simple terms will idle until there is enough in the water to pull out, do that & return to idle. Neck size is the biggest factor.

Why exactly is that a problem? Wouldn't that imply that it's still getting everything?

 

[Pistondog]

Hey all, I have a Reef Octopus 300sss, a 210-gallon aquarium with a 40-gallon sump, and a 27-gallon cube refugium for cheato. I've been out of the hobby for approximately ten years. When I was in the hobby no one talked about having too big of a skimmer, now it seems like people are discussing how it leads to poor foam production due to the lack of a bio-load. I honestly don't understand why the poor foam production is an issue, doesn't it just imply the tank is clean? I don't see the issue, but if there is one I'd like to prevent it by either increasing my planned bio-load, by using the gauge on the skimmer or possibly both.

That skimmer has a varios pump, so you can reduce the pump speed to match bioload. I run a ro 150 elite at speed 3/5 and works great. Replaced a vertex 150 ac pump (single speed). Too much water pumping in no matter how the air was dialed.
Bought that cause "bigger is better" NOT.
Got tired of 2 years of trying to adjust.

 

[Snoopy 67]

Not that I can say for sure but we know the foam removes proteins. What else attaches to those proteins that would remain when the skimmer is idling perhaps increasing something else not desirable?
As a reference example: mileage in a car is best when moving @ a steady rate, idling reduces that efficiency.

 

[Mr. Fishy Fish]

"bigger is better" NOT.

I could make many jokes about this, but I'll refrain. Sounds like the pump gauge will solve the issue. I'm glad, that's one less thing to worry about.

As a reference example: mileage in a car is best when moving @ a steady rate, idling reduces that efficiency.

You sir are speaking my language, that reference makes perfect sense. It's an issue of efficiency!