Partial Skimming Throughout the Day

wakeboardgeek · Mar 22, 2013

I know this has been talked about in the past but what are people's current outlook on skimming for only part of the day with an overrated skimmer (and low bioload)?

For example: Skimmer on for 12 hours then off for 12 hours of the day.

AZDesertRat · Mar 22, 2013

If the skimmer is not running and circulating the water inside is going septic and losing its dissolved oxygen. Keep it running continously.

cdness · Mar 22, 2013

AZDesertRat said:
If the skimmer is not running and circulating the water inside is going septic and losing its dissolved oxygen. Keep it running continuously.

What he said

I was about to say the exact same thing. You don't want saltwater to go stagnant in your tank. The bacteria in the water as well as the nutrients can cause it to become harmful. The only way I would ever say this could work is if your skimmer drained 100% when it shut off and I don't know of any skimmer that can do that.

Do you have a reason why you would like to run it for only 12 hours?

fragmatic · Mar 22, 2013

Plus as skimmer pumps get some age on them they tend to not start due to a combination of that and crud that begins to grow in the pump from not being run all the time.

If your skimmer allows you can turn production down. But... a skimmer can not remove protein that is not present in the water.

+1 run it 24-7.............or go the algae scrubber concept instead. Google the new updraft algae scrubbers and read up on the tank care and water changes differences.