Part time Skimmer

[ZoWhat]

If one were to only run their Skimmer 12hrs a day, which 12hrs should you run the Skimmer ON?

Middle of the night?
During the day?

(plz refrain from having a debate on not running a skimmer 24/7)


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[joshbd]

I run mine reverse cycle with lights (i.e., from evening to mid-morning). This is for two reasons. 1) I run the skimmer air through a CO2 scrubber, and this helps balance PH swings and doesn't use up the media as fast; and 2) I feed periodically during the day, which kills the skimmate head regardless.

 

[Subsea]

The need for gas exchange is most critical when lights are off on display. With lights on, all photosynthic organisms consume carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. With lights off, those same algaes produce carbon dioxide and consume oxygen. Low oxygen kills fish quickly and contributes to coral diseases.

 

[Pntbll687]

If one were to only run their Skimmer 12hrs a day, which 12hrs should you run the Skimmer ON?

Middle of the night?
During the day?

(plz refrain from having a debate on not running a skimmer 24/7)


.

I'd run it over night to boost ph a little during that time.

Can I ask why you're planning on running it only 12hrs a day? And no I'm not trying to get you to run it 24/7.

 

[flagg37]

I had a refugium light that ran opposite the DT lights and that did more for my ph and nutrient export than my skimmer. My fuge was fairly decent sized and I had good surface agitation in the DT so when I took my skimmer out, there was no noticeable difference.

 

[ZoWhat]

I'd run it over night to boost ph a little during that time.

Can I ask why you're planning on running it only 12hrs a day? And no I'm not trying to get you to run it 24/7.

My return pump is a monstrous 4amp power consumer. If I'm paying like ~$40 a month to run this sucker 24/7... wondering if I can get away with running it 50% of the time

I'm currently trying out, 6hrs on, 6hrs off:
Midnight to 6am ON
6am to Noon OFF
Noon to 6pm ON
6pm to Midnight OFF


.

 

[Pntbll687]

My return pump is a monstrous 4amp power consumer. If I'm paying like ~$40 a month to run this sucker 24/7... wondering if I can get away with running it 50% of the time

I'm currently trying out, 6hrs on, 6hrs off:
Midnight to 6am ON
6am to Noon OFF
Noon to 6pm ON
6pm to Midnight OFF


.

the skimmer pump is 4amp? or the return pump?

#i'mconfused