To much skimming?

[Scotty Buttons]

Hello I'm new to R2R and had a quick question. Is there such a thing as too much protein skimming? Do most reefers run there skimmer constantly? Or is it good to shut it down once in a while? Thanks guys and gals

 

[Smo]

No and yes—they work better when operated under stable conditions. I’ve seen estimates where even the best skimmers only remove about 30% of the potential gunk in the water. They also help aerate the water and promote gas exchange.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I am of the belief that there is no such thing as over-skimming. They are so inefficient (30-35%), they can't pull out too much stuff.

 

[skiergd011013]

I have an aqua c remora rated for 75 gallons on my 30 gallon. Runs 24/7.

 

[Bug235]

I run my skimmer 24/7 on my 150, I run a wet skimmer meaning I'm also pulling out a bit of water about a cup every 4 to 5 days. I also have a pellet reactor going into the intake of my skimmer which takes up half of the skimmer intake hole and I run EcoBakplus bio pellets which seem to work great for me after trying other pellets.

 

[Scotty Buttons]

Awesome, thanks guys!

 

[pdisner]

Try using Kalkwassar with your 2-part to save some money and this will help your skimmer work a little better. I get a ton of nice thick bubbles with it.

 

[XNavyDiver]

I'm in agreement with @redfishbluefish, I run a skimmer rated for a 300 on my 100. 24/7.

 

[Mark Gray]

I run a Life Reef on my 55 it's rated for 250 gallons

 

[DeepBlueSomething]

Welcome to R2R! Agree with the others run mine all the time

 

[XNavyDiver]

I run a Life Reef on my 55 it's rated for 250 gallons

You might be in violation of the Reefing Geneva Convention by-law Over Skimming.

 

[savetheocean]

My skimmer pulls out so much gunk from the water.

 

[Ubergroover]

I have a 75Gallon, with a skimmer rated at 225...never turns off

 

[Mark Gray]

You might be in violation of the Reefing Geneva Convention by-law Over Skimming.

Oh no don't tell anyone hum wonder if someone will bail me out of jail

 

[J Rog]

If there are zero nutrients such as phosphate or nitrates I guess you would be over skimming. I just had to turn mine off until I build up a bit of nutrients.. my skimmer was filling up every week. But my tank is reading zero phosphate and nitrates and my torch corals don’t look so hot.. But my tank only finished cycling in Oct and started it with Dry Rock so it was pretty sterile..

 

[HmoneyReefOkc]

I think overskimming would be very hard to do in most hobbyist tanks.

 

[Tom S]

65 gallon mixed reef. Montis, seriatapora, acans, pallys,etc. No skimmer. I took it out a year ago, and have better color, faster growth, and better polyp extension. Different strokes I guess.

 

[Alexander serrano]

I was running this one on my 150 it was a little over kill it will stop skimming some time and star when the nutrients where available

 

[ChrisRD]

Not something I would worry about (over skimming). I prefer to run a skimmer 24/7 for aeration...and when possible, with a fresh air intake line to the bubble pump...which can really help stabilize pH (particularly in climates where there are seasons when doors/windows are consistently closed).