What Should Normal Skimmer Operation Be?

Dystinction · Aug 3, 2018

Ok, probably not the best thread topic title....I always struggle with that.

Admittedly, skimmers are new to me. This is my first go-round using one on a tank. I also admit that's it's the 'trickiest' piece of equipment that I've played with.

So, my tank is still very new and maturing as they do.
Main 'display' is only 34 gal. with an 18 gal. sump.
Bio-load is minimal with only two Chromis, and a few Zoa frags (I hate to use the word 'tester' frags, however, even the LFS spewed that term when I got them).

I feel like I am able to dial the skimmer into a good setting (water level and bubbles), and achieve a nice foam that spills into the cup. Water level in the cup equals out to about 1/4" per day.

While I do not pull the toxic sludge that I see in many, larger systems, it's a tan-brown color, sometimes with left over bits of food as well. I attribute the lack of color to the maturity and bio-load of the tank. Is this an accurate assumption?

Up to this point, I am not running any filter socks, or filtration prior to entering the sump. I have a media cup and floss that I intend to test out after tomorrow's water change.

My biggest question is that shortly after I feed, the level in the skimmer drops down from where it was producing a foam at the top, to seemingly doing nothing with the water level around the base of the cup/top of the neck. It also does not return to previous performance/levels without a manual tweak from me.

Is this common with skimmers? I've seen many people write that their skimmers can go 'crazy' after certain changes, and even feeding, but it seems like my skimmer goes 'anti-crazy' when I feed.

I also leave my skimmer running when I feed, should I be setting it into feed mode for a period of time, or is this a personal preference?

Sorry for the long post. Yes, some people do have diarrhea that comes out the other end......and yes, I am one of those people.

If you made it this far, I appreciate your time and insights.

WWIII · Aug 3, 2018

Haha, well I made it through your post.

Sounds like your doing the right things with your skimmer. 1/4" per day should be about right in general. As the tank matures and you get more bio load, the skimmate will get nastier and darker don't worry about that!

As for foods and the skimmer. Some make them go a little crazy, others completely kill the foam head. I never turn off my skimmer during feeding, but I do shut down powerheads to try and keep the food in the display longer. I wouldn't adjust the skimmer after feeding unless it doesn't skim after like an hour or so. How long are you giving the skimmer to come back to normal? What are you feeding?

Crabs McJones · Aug 3, 2018

I have a feed hold on my controller that stops the skimmer, not because of the feeding, but because it cuts off my return pump as well and the skimmer would overflow from the backflow into the sump. Other than that I have my skimmer running 24/7.

ndrwater · Aug 3, 2018

I think you are doing everything right. I also think @WWIII nailed it. As someone with a "mature" system, there are those days when the skimmer is pulling gunk like crazy, and those days when seems like nothing happened.
Personally ,I let my skimmer run 24/7/365 with the occasional break for a cleaning of the pump, or whenever I get around to doing a were change.
S your system matures and you increase the bio load ie. more fish and corals, you will see the skimmer production to be more regular.
Best of luck!!

gonzo620 · Aug 3, 2018

For my tank, utilizing the feed mode made a big difference post feeding. I also found that foam production was also affected when I was putting my hands in the tank, and when replacing filter socks. So anytime I’m doing any of those things, I’ll click that feed mode button.After some time I felt like I was collecting more skimmate and darker then when I wasn’t using that button.

Dystinction · Aug 3, 2018

Thank you all very much for your time and insights.

@WWIII , I feed a concoction of LRS Reef Frenzy, PE Mysis (chopped smaller), and PE Calanus.
I very well may not be giving it enough time to 'return to normal', and will give that a test.

Again, I appreciate and respect everyone's input. Sometimes it's good to hear about how it works for others, if for nothing other than to realize that 'Hey, I guess I'm not totally crazy'.

Dystinction · Aug 8, 2018

I just wanted to take a quick sec and circle back around for some 'closure', as I'm sure you have all suffered sleepless nights (except @Crabs Mcjones ....he drinks that death brew) regarding my issue....

I took everyone's advice, and I'm happy to say that feed-mode on the skimmer, and just waiting the skimmer out works perfect, and performance returns without me puttin' gumby-fingers all over it. I know that small changes and time are our friends in this hobby, however, I assumed that equipment would perform in more of a binary function.

So, this is really a Thank You Again, for taking your time and sharing your knowledge and experience with not only me, but everyone on this forum.

.....I think I'm gonna go test for my Skimmer Apprentice badge now.....

Crabs McJones · Aug 8, 2018

Dystinction said:
I just wanted to take a quick sec and circle back around for some 'closure', as I'm sure you have all suffered sleepless nights (except @Crabs Mcjones ....he drinks that death brew) regarding my issue....

I took everyone's advice, and I'm happy to say that feed-mode on the skimmer, and just waiting the skimmer out works perfect, and performance returns without me puttin' gumby-fingers all over it. I know that small changes and time are our friends in this hobby, however, I assumed that equipment would perform in more of a binary function.

So, this is really a Thank You Again, for taking your time and sharing your knowledge and experience with not only me, but everyone on this forum.

.....I think I'm gonna go test for my Skimmer Apprentice badge now.....