Skimmer on timer

[Vincent100]

Do you think putting my skimmer on a timer
For say 2 hours on 4 hours off on a 24hour cycle will help up my no3 po4
My levels are just a bit to low for my liking
I run a reactor with n,p pellets but I don't really want to put that on a timer as they start to stink up with no water running through them
What ya think r2r

 

[MaiReef]

Reduce the amount of pellets?

 

[bevo5]

Oops - edit.

I've seen times when people put skimmers on a timer because there isn't enough junk to catch if it's on 24/7. So they turn it off for a bit so it runs more efficiently. That said, I wonder if the skimmer would just soak up everything when it's on.

I agree with removing pellets. Seems logical

 

[Antics]

Just my opinion but I think putting the skimmer on a timer will prematurely age the pump/impeller. Could you increase your bio load or increase feeding as an alternative?

 

[psirex]

Reduce the effluent flow from the BP reactor back into the tank

 

[Vincent100]

Reduce the amount of pellets?

I'm running a very small amount of pellets ,I take a pic in a min to show you the amount in the reactor

Oops - edit.

I've seen times when people put skimmers on a timer because there isn't enough junk to catch if it's on 24/7. So they turn it off for a bit so it runs more efficiently. That said, I wonder if the skimmer would just soak up everything when it's on.

I agree with removing pellets. Seems logical

The skimmer is pulling plenty of junk all the time even after a water change

Just my opinion but I think putting the skimmer on a timer will prematurely age the pump/impeller. Could you increase your bio load or increase feeding as an alternative?

Good point I didn't even think of that ,my skimmer is a deltec and cost me a lot so I don't want to have to buy another just yet lol

Reduce the effluent flow from the BP reactor back into the tank

Already done that ,the pump is running at min as I was getting slime from the pellets

 

[psirex]

Tank size?
Pellet amount in use?
Bio load?

You really only have 3 options

1. Reduce effluent
2. Reduce pellets in use
3. Skim dryer

 

[psirex]

What type\model BP reactor?

 

[luke33]

Just my opinion but I think putting the skimmer on a timer will prematurely age the pump/impeller. Could you increase your bio load or increase feeding as an alternative?

Bingo

 

[psirex]

What is your WC schedule and amount?

 

[Vincent100]

Tank size?
Pellet amount in use?
Bio load?

You really only have 3 options

1. Reduce effluent
2. Reduce pellets in use
3. Skim dryer

Red Sea 350
Posted a pic of pellet amount
Bio load
5 green chromis
Blue regal tang
Yellow tang
Caribbean blue tang
2 cardinals
Mandarin
Goby
3 clowns
Cleaner wrasse
Cleaner shrimp
Fire shrimp
Lots of hermits
Crab
A few snails
2 star fish
And a powder brown tang in qt
Lots of lps and sps

Just change the skimmer to skim dry
I also feed lots
Thanks for your help

 

[Vincent100]

What is your WC schedule and amount?

I change 75 liter to 100 liters every week ,some times its a week and a hafe ,last time I checked for no3 po4 it was
No3 0.02 po4 0.03
Po4 was ok but no3is to low iv been told

 

[psirex]

Are things going\looking bad?

 

[Vincent100]

Not to bad but I not got good colour on some of my sps and Iv just lost a head on a torch and a little rock of blasto die , it also looks like I'm losing a acan frag , which is strange as iv many other acans and they look in good shape

 

[psirex]

Those numbers are fine, some may say the phos levels should be lower but if things are going well don't mess with it.

Either cut the water changes in half or do them less frequently and the numbers should climb but if it was me I would leave things the way they are......

 

[Vincent100]

Hate having type on my phone keeps changing my words for me lol
Just had to edit loads haha

 

[psirex]

Same here

 

[Vincent100]

Ok psirex will have a go at leaving the water change for a bit longer and see what happens
Thanks for all your help