Running skimmer only at night?

[SamMule]

Thinking of running my protein skimmer only at night for a couple reasons.
1: N and P are on the low end despite fairly heavy feeding.
2: I have read that it can help with PH swings. I realize my average PH may be slightly lower, but Stability > Numbers, right?

Not currently having any issues with PH or otherwise. I had some pale SPS a month or two back and increased feeding to combat it. Colors have really gotten better. Phosphates initially rose a bit, but have now dropped back down. I'm worried about them bottoming out, resulting in pale colors again.

Despite heavy feeding, NO3 hangs around 12(Nyos) and PO4 is .01-.03(Hannah ULR)
Was .02-.05 before increased feeding if that makes any sense...

Yesterday I turned the skimmer down a bit to run a little dryer. Will go a week or so and see how that works, but considering the shortened run time as an alternative course of action.

Good idea?
Or just let it be and stop chasing numbers?

 

[Macbalacano]

Thinking of running my protein skimmer only at night for a couple reasons.
1: N and P are on the low end despite fairly heavy feeding.
2: I have read that it can help with PH swings. I realize my average PH may be slightly lower, but Stability > Numbers, right?

Not currently having any issues with PH or otherwise. I had some pale SPS a month or two back and increased feeding to combat it. Colors have really gotten better. Phosphates initially rose a bit, but have now dropped back down. I'm worried about them bottoming out, resulting in pale colors again.

Despite heavy feeding, NO3 hangs around 12(Nyos) and PO4 is .01-.03(Hannah ULR)
Was .02-.05 before increased feeding if that makes any sense...

Yesterday I turned the skimmer down a bit to run a little dryer. Will go a week or so and see how that works, but considering the shortened run time as an alternative course of action.

Good idea?
Or just let it be and stop chasing numbers?

Do you think you could just feed even more? What are you currently feeding?

 

[HB AL]

If your livestock is not having issues then I would continue with your current regimen.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thinking of running my protein skimmer only at night for a couple reasons.
1: N and P are on the low end despite fairly heavy feeding.
2: I have read that it can help with PH swings. I realize my average PH may be slightly lower, but Stability > Numbers, right?

Not currently having any issues with PH or otherwise. I had some pale SPS a month or two back and increased feeding to combat it. Colors have really gotten better. Phosphates initially rose a bit, but have now dropped back down. I'm worried about them bottoming out, resulting in pale colors again.

Despite heavy feeding, NO3 hangs around 12(Nyos) and PO4 is .01-.03(Hannah ULR)
Was .02-.05 before increased feeding if that makes any sense...

Yesterday I turned the skimmer down a bit to run a little dryer. Will go a week or so and see how that works, but considering the shortened run time as an alternative course of action.

Good idea?
Or just let it be and stop chasing numbers?

IMO, it cannot be stated with generalized certainty whether running a skimmer at night raises or lowers the nightly pH low, unless you are using outside air.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I and many run it 24/7. It’s job is to remove inorganics and uneaten foods,etc
Stopping skimmer allows both to accumulate

 

[KyOsIBa515]

IMO, it cannot be stated with generalized certainty whether running a skimmer at night raises or lowers the nightly pH low, unless

 

[BaysEndReef]

I and many run it 24/7. It’s job is to remove inorganics and uneaten foods,etc
Stopping skimmer allows both to accumulate

Exactly why I run all of mine 24/7. I also have airline tubing connected to my skimmer running outside in order to slightly raise pH. I rarely see any significant swings unless I over dose.

 

[smccrac3]

New here, this topic interests me. I also considered running the skimmer only at night, mainly so the tank doesn’t stink while people are around.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

New here, this topic interests me. I also considered running the skimmer only at night, mainly so the tank doesn’t stink while people are around.

Your skimmer makes the tank stink? Is it the skimmer air output that stinks?

Mine has no bad smell , but I'd pass that over some dry GAC if it were me to see if that helped.