Skimmer Off vs. Cup Off When Adding Bacteria?

[PopBot16]

I will be using Dr. Tim's Waste Away soon, and the instructions say to turn the skimmer off for 2-4 hours after dosing the bacteria. I know that Microbacter Clean (and other bacteria products) say the same thing. In the past I've typically just taken the skimmer cup off and left the skimmer on, overflowing with skimmate into the sump for 4 hours etc. Could turning the skimmer completely off make a difference? Even though the skimmer isn't removing anything from the tank with the cup off, could the bacteria be "injured" somehow from the pump and skimmer body making skimmate, even though the skimmate is put back into the system? This was a shower thought this morning haha!

 

[ReefGeezer]

Probably no harm as long as it doesn't make the skimmer go nuts.

 

[PopBot16]

Probably no harm as long as it doesn't make the skimmer go nuts.

Thanks. I have a large sump so there's no chance it would overflow the sump with skimmate.

 

[shakacuz]

i usually turn off the skimmer as a precaution whenever adding anything.

 

[PopBot16]

i usually turn off the skimmer as a precaution whenever adding anything.

Yeah, I hear that, but I have a large sump. There's really no chance of the sump overflowing from skimmate, if that's what you're getting at.

 

[shakacuz]

Yeah, I hear that, but I have a large sump. There's really no chance of the sump overflowing from skimmate, if that's what you're getting at.

overflowing isn't what i am worried about. it's the skimmer and even filter socks removing and filtering out some of what i am adding.

some bacteria bottles specifically state to turn off the skimmer and remove filter socks for X amount of time to "let it settle"

 

[PopBot16]

overflowing isn't what i am worried about. it's the skimmer and even filter socks removing and filtering out some of what i am adding.

some bacteria bottles specifically state to turn off the skimmer and remove filter socks for X amount of time to "let it settle"

Okay, yeah that's what I'm asking really. There's no socks on my system right now, so that's not an issue. But is there a difference between leaving the skimmer on but taking the cup off vs turning it off? Nothing is removed with the cup.

 

[New&no clue]

I remove the cup. I don't think it will get damaged. The water is already going through your return pump and power heads, so I doubt the skimmer pump will be its undoing. Plus, I like to have the additional aeration the skimmer adds when adding things. I think they want it turned off so it doesn't get removed, but if the cup is off, then it won't—just my thoughts on it.

 

[shakacuz]

Okay, yeah that's what I'm asking really. There's no socks on my system right now, so that's not an issue. But is there a difference between leaving the skimmer on but taking the cup off vs turning it off? Nothing is removed with the cup.

not really, other than oxygenating your water more (i believe).

 

[areefer01]

When in doubt communicate directly to the vendor. Dr. Tim has a contact form to send a message directly. In this case your question is sound as you want to know if you can leave it on and overflow vs. turn off and let Bacteria establish.

As I read the instructions I took it to mean turn off so the bacteria can establish.

 

[PopBot16]

When in doubt communicate directly to the vendor. Dr. Tim has a contact form to send a message directly. In this case your question is sound as you want to know if you can leave it on and overflow vs. turn off and let Bacteria establish.

As I read the instructions I took it to mean turn off so the bacteria can establish.

Good suggestion! I will try to reach out to Tim.

 

[areefer01]

Good suggestion! I will try to reach out to Tim.

Great idea. I honestly do not know but thought it was an interesting question. Leaving the skimmer on with the cup off would help oxygenate. I am not sure if they recommend it off due to risk of harming the bacteria you add via the product.

One thing I remember is that he recommends, strongly, starting with 1/4 recommended dose. And if you see the water cloud up to immediately turn back on the skimmer. I read the info below again a few minutes ago to see if he mentions why skimmer off but didn't go into detail outside "if you see cloudy water after dose turn back on skimmer"...

I do not really have an answer so hope you hear back! I do have a bottle as well but not used it yet as I use Tropic Marin Bio Actif salt which has a bit of carbon dosing in it and not supposed to dose waste away with other carbon products. I sent off an email to see what he thinks.

Have a great day!

Natural Aquarium Cleaner | Waste-Away | DrTim's Aquatics

Remove aquarium gunk, unclog gravel & keep filters clear with Waste-Away natural aquarium cleaner and sludge busting bacteria solution.

www.drtimsaquatics.com

Algae - Cyano - Dinos | DrTim's Aquatics

Getting Rid of Cyanobacteria and Algae with DrTim’s Aquatics Re-Fresh and Waste-Away Discussion and Directions Why do you get cyanobacteria and/or algae? Because there are nutrients in the water and no competitors to remove those nutrients before they are consumed by the cyano or algae. Who are...

www.drtimsaquatics.com

 

[PopBot16]

Great idea. I honestly do not know but thought it was an interesting question. Leaving the skimmer on with the cup off would help oxygenate. I am not sure if they recommend it off due to risk of harming the bacteria you add via the product.

One thing I remember is that he recommends, strongly, starting with 1/4 recommended dose. And if you see the water cloud up to immediately turn back on the skimmer. I read the info below again a few minutes ago to see if he mentions why skimmer off but didn't go into detail outside "if you see cloudy water after dose turn back on skimmer"...

I do not really have an answer so hope you hear back! I do have a bottle as well but not used it yet as I use Tropic Marin Bio Actif salt which has a bit of carbon dosing in it and not supposed to dose waste away with other carbon products. I sent off an email to see what he thinks.

Have a great day!

Natural Aquarium Cleaner | Waste-Away | DrTim's Aquatics

Remove aquarium gunk, unclog gravel & keep filters clear with Waste-Away natural aquarium cleaner and sludge busting bacteria solution.

www.drtimsaquatics.com

Algae - Cyano - Dinos | DrTim's Aquatics

Getting Rid of Cyanobacteria and Algae with DrTim’s Aquatics Re-Fresh and Waste-Away Discussion and Directions Why do you get cyanobacteria and/or algae? Because there are nutrients in the water and no competitors to remove those nutrients before they are consumed by the cyano or algae. Who are...

www.drtimsaquatics.com

I just e-mailed Dr. Tim. Interestingly, I also reached out to BRS (who I bought it from) via chat just now, and they said to shut it off, not just remove the cup. They said it would effect the product to leave the skimmer on even if the cup is off.

 

[Sebae]

I just e-mailed Dr. Tim. Interestingly, I also reached out to BRS (who I bought it from) via chat just now, and they said to shut it off, not just remove the cup. They said it would effect the product to leave the skimmer on even if the cup is off.

Did you ever get a response on this? Curious as to Dr. Tim’s response.

 

[PopBot16]

Did you ever get a response on this? Curious as to Dr. Tim’s response.

No response.