Removing Skimmate from Large Skimmer Best Practices?

[Stevorino]

Hey all!

I recently upgraded my Skimmer/Sump to a Reef Octopus 250-INT.

For my old skimmer, I just had the skimmate go through a tube to a home depot bucket. I was trying to avoid that with this one, but I have found when I try to remove the skiimmate chamber to dump it out ... it's not so easy due to it's size.

Attempt 1: Splash Fish **** all over me

Attempt 2: Splash Fish **** back into the tank

Is having it just go out a tube into the bucket the best practice, or do you all have other ideas/best practices that you use to drain out the skimmate periodically? Thanks!

 

[Crustaceon]

Empty the cup more frequently. It'll have less volume in it, will be easier to handle and will have less chance of spilling.

 

[fishguy242]

Drain is ideal, dump but don't clean cup too often, JME...
If it ain't broke dont fix it...

 

[WarChief]

I use the tube only and clean the cup every few months.

 

[Stevorino]

Empty the cup more frequently. It'll have less volume in it, will be easier to handle and will have less chance of spilling.

Believe it or not... it was pretty empty on Attempt 2: Spill Fish **** all over the tank

I may just have to go back to ol' faithful home depot bucket

 

[LPS Bum]

I have a Red Sea 300 and just use the drain line to empty the cup into a bucket every 2 weeks (my ReefMat pulls out most of the garbage ahead of the skimmer). So I would say either empty your cup a bit more frequently or just have it drain to that 5 gal bucket you mentioned. Either way works well.

 

[exnisstech]

If it has a drain tube like my 200 INT just drain it into a container. If you want to clean the cup drain it first before removing so it doesn't slop all over.
I wouldn't want a 5 gallon bucket with skim mate in my house but maybe I'm just sensitive to foul odors

 

[X-37B]

You could get a Tunze. The whole cup and neck lift off. I love my 9410dc and 9430dc.

I used to drain into a 1g jug before the Tunze. It will fit into a smaller space and is easy to remove.

 

[flyfisher2]

Routine maintenance for me.
Set reminder with Alexa weekly.
Clean skimmer cup and wash socks.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Hey all!

I recently upgraded my Skimmer/Sump to a Reef Octopus 250-INT.

For my old skimmer, I just had the skimmate go through a tube to a home depot bucket. I was trying to avoid that with this one, but I have found when I try to remove the skiimmate chamber to dump it out ... it's not so easy due to it's size.

Attempt 1: Splash Fish **** all over me

Attempt 2: Splash Fish **** back into the tank

Is having it just go out a tube into the bucket the best practice, or do you all have other ideas/best practices that you use to drain out the skimmate periodically? Thanks!

I’d rather back in the tank than on me haha!

 

[Crustaceon]

Believe it or not... it was pretty empty on Attempt 2: Spill Fish **** all over the tank

I may just have to go back to ol' faithful home depot bucket

Hey, if it worked...