Is skimmate suppose to be smelly?

[ReefBeta]

So I have been using several model of skimmer from reef octopus and skimz the past many years. Never remember much smell out of the skimmate, so I never too understood why people were so bother by it.

Then last couple month, I replaced one with a nyos skimmer, and new tank using a maxspect one, both are producing surprisingly smelly skimmate even when the thickness (by color) is similar. Does it suppose to smell this bad and that's what people were talking about? Given the new ones were more expensive and said to be better, have I never experienced a good performing skimmer until now?

 

[Flippers4pups]

It should smell like a “sewer” when working properly. It’s organic waste, so it’s decomposing sitting in the collection cup. Thus the smell.

 

[HuduVudu]

It should smell like a “sewer” when working properly. It’s organic waste, so it’s decomposing sitting in the collection cup. Thus the smell.

Great for anaerobic decomposition ... nom nom nom.

 

[PTXReef]

Yeah it smells ;Wacky I felt attacked the first time I changed mine.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I have a basement sump, so we don’t smell anything! Lol

 

[Qasimja]

yes its supposed smell like raw sewage i also give mine a little taste to make sure the fishs diet is satisfactory.

 

[Deezill]

yes its supposed smell like raw sewage i also give mine a little taste to make sure the fishs diet is satisfactory.

What?

 

[Qasimja]

What?

joke? lol

 

[Deezill]

joke? lol

ooh ok man i was worried for a minute HAHAHAH

 

[HuduVudu]

yes its supposed smell like raw sewage i also give mine a little taste to make sure the fishs diet is satisfactory.

Whelp I guess the sewer salmon need love too

 

[ReefBeta]

So I'm wondering, why the skimmate from my previous skimmers didn't smell? They looked the same.

 

[HuduVudu]

So I'm wondering, why the skimmate from my previous skimmers didn't smell? They looked the same.

Perhaps the newer one is more effective at getting DOCs (protein) out of the water. Protein is some pretty potent stuff in anaerobic digestion. Those bacteria seem to love that more than other types of 'food'. My digester ignores fats and I have to deal with the aftermath of to much fatty foods by pulling it out. More protein seems to produce a lot more H2S.

 

[Dw79]

 

[Ippyroy]

yes its supposed smell like raw sewage i also give mine a little taste to make sure the fishs diet is satisfactory.

MMMMMMM! I can tall when my fish stop eating certain foods by the taste. Gotta know what they eat to keep them happy.

 

[Waynerock]

I get a nice sulfur smell to mine. I like to chase my wife around the house with my slimmer cup when she threatens house work.

 

[HockeyRooster]

Smells gross out of my skimmer.

Yeah it smells ;Wacky I felt attacked the first time I changed mine.

Love the reference

 

[jdemarco]

My skimmate doesn't really smell bad now compared to when I used use biopellets on my system. It was stinking up my house at that point. Your current system and bioload and system setup and maintenance can play a role as well as how long it sits/how often it is changed.

 

[rcillig]

yes its supposed smell like raw sewage i also give mine a little taste to make sure the fishs diet is satisfactory.

lol sicko!

 

[CubsFan]

When you’re sliding into first...

 

[jkr]

So I have been using several model of skimmer from reef octopus and skimz the past many years. Never remember much smell out of the skimmate, so I never too understood why people were so bother by it.

Then last couple month, I replaced one with a nyos skimmer, and new tank using a maxspect one, both are producing surprisingly smelly skimmate even when the thickness (by color) is similar. Does it suppose to smell this bad and that's what people were talking about? Given the new ones were more expensive and said to be better, have I never experienced a good performing skimmer until now?

I have a RedSea max 260, the skimmer I am very pleased with although the pump is noisy ( any ideas anybody? ) when I lift the lid it does smell, I clean it about every 4 days, it proves it’s doing it’s job.