What makes a skimmer special

[mcarroll]

+1

I tune my skimmer to fill the cup while I'm away...however long that'll be.

Or I tune it so that it's full when I'm ready to do maintenance.

Sometimes it's nice to make it getting full correspond with ATO refills or even to be full at the end of every day....that's usually when I'm skimming harder for some reason.

I used my ATO sensor to tune my old AquaC skimmer and I use the air-control on my Tunze for the same thing.

I've never used a neck cleaner...seems interesting, but also like more stuff to clean. I'd give one a try if given a chance.

 

[bif24701]

+1

I tune my skimmer to fill the cup while I'm away...however long that'll be.

Or I tune it so that it's full when I'm ready to do maintenance.

Sometimes it's nice to make it getting full correspond with ATO refills or even to be full at the end of every day....that's usually when I'm skimming harder for some reason.

I used my ATO sensor to tune my old AquaC skimmer and I use the air-control on my Tunze for the same thing.

I've never used a neck cleaner...seems interesting, but also like more stuff to clean. I'd give one a try if given a chance.

The Avast is a good one, I installed it on the mid myself and saved >100$ over the Reef Octopus one.

Once I installed it noticed a huge difference. It now skims extremely consistently even if not cleaned for weeks. That's actually the advantage, not having to clean the skimmer for longer periods of time yet it still skims just as well. I knew within a week it was one of the best pieces of equipment dollar for dollar I have ever bought. I clean mine every week because I have reef tank OCD.

I just found this kit at my grocery store this week. The brushes are soft so easily gets into every little crevice with the big brush. The handle is long and slender so I was even able to brush off algae and gunk stuck to my powerheads without ever getting my hands wet. I am very very pleased with this kit. Cleaned my skimmer cup, neck cleaner, and body in a 1/4 of the time. Go order this thing right now!

Comes with all three brushes.

 

[Justin Hartmann]

I will have to pick one up when i get my skimmer! Thanks for the help, I will have to look into the neck cleaner.

 

[Bperau]

I know people run tanks without skimmer and they look awesome however, seeing that my skimmer pulls out of the water I would never attempt skimmerless

 

[mcarroll]

I know people run tanks without skimmer and they look awesome however, seeing that my skimmer pulls out of the water I would never attempt skimmerless

Not to be pro- or anti-skimmer, but....

Corals, fish and other critters consider what your skimmer takes out as food.....whether we like it or not isn't too relevant. ;Dead

Such is the life of a scavenger or detritavore!

 

[Orm Embar]

My 2 cents - a skimmer is a commonly used piece of equipment that helps reduce dissolved organics before they decompose into nitrate/phosphate/other components. Skimmate contains more nitrogen and phosphate than reef water, which supports that. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/2/aafeature

They will typically remove roughly 20-35% of dissolved organics. As has been said before, "Bubbles are bubbles" - Advanced Aquarist did a study where they compared a needlewheel, airstone, downdraft, and venturi skimmer - they all worked equally well. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/aafeature2

Followup - http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/1/aafeature

A skimmer is certainly helpful, and is a part of general reef tank care for many people, but I don't think that one is required provided that you have another means of nutrient export. I personally like macroalgae, as I find then easy to care for and quite effective in my (admittedly limited) experience. BRS has a video on chaetomorpha removal of phosphate/nitrate that I found quite interesting in the level of nitrate/phosphate removal. Plus, they also had one video talking about nitrate/phosphate reduction using a filter sock:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video...-best-refugium-light-and-what-is-coming-next/

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/brstv-investigates-what-do-filter-socks-do-for-you/

Lastly, Randy has some excellent articles that cover the various different options -

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/nitrate-in-the-reef-aquarium.10/

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/phosphate-in-the-reef-aquarium.9/

Hope this helps!