Part-time skimming?

[LiveFreeAndReef]

Hi All! After the posts in the last couple days about whether to use a skimmer or not, Ive been thinking of only running mine for a portion of the day. So I wanted to get some opinions about what you guys think the best time to use the skimmer is!

I was thinking of running mine on the same schedule as my light, so no skimmy at night. Is skimming more effective during the day vs at night?

Mine is working too well, I need to keep some nitrates in my system!

 

[Jekyl]

Hi All! After the posts in the last couple days about whether to use a skimmer or not, Ive been thinking of only running mine for a portion of the day. So I wanted to get some opinions about what you guys think the best time to use the skimmer is!

I was thinking of running mine on the same schedule as my light, so no skimmy at night. Is skimming more effective during the day vs at night?

Mine is working too well, I need to keep some nitrates in my system!

I would never just turn it off. If anything let it drain back into the sump rather than collecting

 

[tbaity1401]

I think the air exchange you get from a skimmer is too important. I'd find away to manage the nutrient levels you want another way

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I would worry about the skimmate drying in the neck, making it harder to clean off during maintenance. Dumping the skimmate works just gotta figure out how much to dose. You can also add things like coral food or phytoplankton to boost your levels

 

[LiveFreeAndReef]

I think the air exchange you get from a skimmer is too important. I'd find away to manage the nutrient levels you want another way

That's a good point. I just can't feed enough to get my nitrates up!

 

[NowGlazeIT]

That's a good point. I just can't feed enough to get my nitrates up!

What’s your set up like. Are you done adding fish? Is slowing down the tank turnover an option? to slow down the cleaning a bit.

 

[LiveFreeAndReef]

I would worry about the skimmate drying in the neck, making it harder to clean off during maintenance. Dumping the skimmate works just gotta figure out how much to dose. You can also add things like coral food or phytoplankton to boost your levels

Another good point! That's why I'm here,

What’s your set up like. Are you done adding fish? Is slowing down the tank turnover an option? to slow down the cleaning a bit.

It's a fluval flex 15 gallon. Fish load is actually an issue that I need to address. I had a pair of clowns and a chromis but the clowns both went rug surfing. I think you've hit on one of the big issues that I hadn't thought of yet. Oh darn, time to go fish shopping lol

 

[LiveFreeAndReef]

What’s your set up like. Are you done adding fish? Is slowing down the tank turnover an option? to slow down the cleaning a bit.

As far as turnover goes, I'm still using the stock return pump that's only around 160gph I believe. I've held off on water changes for a few weeks trying to get my nitrates up. I'm trying to avoid the dreaded dinos

 

[NowGlazeIT]

As far as turnover goes, I'm still using the stock return pump that's only around 160gph I believe. I've held off on water changes for a few weeks trying to get my nitrates up. I'm trying to avoid the dreaded dinos

It’s always fun to go shopping for fish, I hope this balances things out for you. Come back if it doesn’t and well find a fix that works for you.

 

[Gtinnel]

It's really easy just to dose nitrates so that you can keep it where you want it.