skimmer on all day?

angel2007 · 08/14/2007, 05:32 PM

Just got back from the LFS and they told me that my skimmer should only be on for a couple of hours. is this true? My skimmer is in a 20g tank (for know) What do you guys think?

Thanks

kevinohio · 08/14/2007, 05:36 PM

I run my skiimer all day. Cant really overskim in my mind.
Doent make me right, just an opinion

moo0o · 08/14/2007, 05:41 PM

i leave mine on all day aswell

Napervegas · 08/14/2007, 05:48 PM

Did they say why? Most people run skimmers 24 hrs, some shut them down during dosing or feedings.

mwwhite · 08/14/2007, 05:48 PM

7x24

bearpeidog · 08/14/2007, 05:49 PM

I run mine all day as well. I don't think you can overskim either.

The waste that comes out doesn't look (or smell) like something I want in my tank anyway

You can adjust a skimmer - I'm running mine fairly wet meaning I fill the cup weekly with some green but clear skimmate. At other times, I've run it so I have a dark, dark green skimmate, that might fill the cup in a couple weeks.

I'm not sure if running it more wet is taking more junk out or not but my thought is if your afraid of over skimming, adjust it "lean" and let her run.

mr_o98 · 08/14/2007, 05:54 PM

I run my skimmer 24x7.

jba6511 · 08/14/2007, 06:55 PM

another 24 x 7 user.

racrumrine · 08/14/2007, 07:05 PM

While most people run them 24x7, there is a theory that at feeding time the skimmer is pulling out things you want consumed (like phytoplankton).

Thus, it really depends on what's in your tank and what you are trying to feed.

On a 20 gallon, a skimmer can help reduce nitrates. However, I have found that Chaeto in the sump is a more effective nitrate reducer than a skimmer.

If all you have is fish, and your dumping in flake food, there's really no point turning off the skimmer.

Best of luck,

Roy

angel2007 · 08/14/2007, 07:29 PM

I started with a 90g tank, but the apartment complex said that it was to much weight therefore I had to move my corals and live rock in a 20g. not that i want to but we will be moving soon. i have fish in my tank and i feed them frozen brime shrimp, but what about when i add my inverterbrate food should the skimmer be off? and so for how long?

thank for the help

MimicTang · 08/14/2007, 07:51 PM

all day

Roger928 · 08/14/2007, 07:56 PM

24x7

reefkeeper135 · 08/14/2007, 07:57 PM

24x7x365 turn off only when cleaning or dosing

kookerson · 08/14/2007, 08:31 PM

another 24x7 (as if there werent enough)..........I also only turn it off why dosing stuff....

t-bone2 · 08/14/2007, 08:45 PM

mine doesnt have an off button

Mavrk · 08/14/2007, 10:01 PM

I have mine in my sump running all the time. When I feed, I turn off the pump and the skimmer stays on (skimming the pool of water that it stays in.

Most things don't have an on/off button, but unplugging or hooking the outlet up to a switch are common solutions. Personally, I just "test" the GFCI that the pump is on (all my outlets are individual GFCI's) and it goes off. Then I reset it to turn it back on.

dameon · 08/14/2007, 10:57 PM

I leave my skimmer on all day as well. i agree that anyone that says that the green stuff coming out of my water is only to be takin out for so many hours of the day is crazy!!!

InLimbo87 · 08/14/2007, 11:03 PM

As others have said, no such thing as overskimming. Skim away!!

AquaReeferMan · 08/14/2007, 11:09 PM

I will clean mine out once a month, other then that its always on. I wouldnt listen to your LFS anymore. If you have any questions come and ask here.

sanosuke · 08/15/2007, 02:02 AM

mine runs all day and all night

ndas2976 · 08/15/2007, 04:33 AM

24/7, only turn off for it's weekly maintenance.

shuturhole316tx · 08/15/2007, 05:59 AM

24/7

hoyta · 08/15/2007, 06:07 AM

another tale from the LFS

08/14/2007, 05:32 PM	#1
angel2007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wish I was back in Chicago Posts: 100	skimmer on all day? Just got back from the LFS and they told me that my skimmer should only be on for a couple of hours. is this true? My skimmer is in a 20g tank (for know) What do you guys think? Thanks

08/14/2007, 05:36 PM	#2
kevinohio Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: mayfield ohio Posts: 514	I run my skiimer all day. Cant really overskim in my mind. Doent make me right, just an opinion __________________ kevin Current Tank Info: 75 gallon FOWLR

08/14/2007, 05:48 PM	#4
Napervegas Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Naperville Posts: 225	Did they say why? Most people run skimmers 24 hrs, some shut them down during dosing or feedings. __________________ Caution, driver does not carry any corals or inverts...just cash... Current Tank Info: 90 G mixed reef

08/14/2007, 05:54 PM	#7
mr_o98 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pen Argyl, PA Posts: 600	I run my skimmer 24x7. __________________ Sometimes I amaze even myself. I feel like I have TWO brilliant minds. Current Tank Info: 90g fish only tank, Green Chromis, Ocellaris clown, 6 line Wrasse, Convict Tang, Foxface Lo, Decorator Goby, Lemon Drop butterfly, Flameback Angel - 30g sump, Euro Reef skimmer, 2 250w MH

08/14/2007, 07:56 PM	#12
Roger928 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Prescott Valley, AZ Posts: 296	24x7 __________________ Always quarantine. You never know where that fish has been. Current Tank Info: 90 and 120 mixed reef

08/14/2007, 05:41 PM	#3
moo0o Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SJ,CA Posts: 1,694	i leave mine on all day aswell

08/14/2007, 05:48 PM	#5
mwwhite Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 690	7x24

08/14/2007, 05:49 PM	#6
bearpeidog Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Milton, Vermont Posts: 560	I run mine all day as well. I don't think you can overskim either. The waste that comes out doesn't look (or smell) like something I want in my tank anyway You can adjust a skimmer - I'm running mine fairly wet meaning I fill the cup weekly with some green but clear skimmate. At other times, I've run it so I have a dark, dark green skimmate, that might fill the cup in a couple weeks. I'm not sure if running it more wet is taking more junk out or not but my thought is if your afraid of over skimming, adjust it "lean" and let her run.

08/14/2007, 06:55 PM	#8
jba6511 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 55	another 24 x 7 user.

08/14/2007, 07:05 PM	#9
racrumrine Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Francisco Posts: 2,290	While most people run them 24x7, there is a theory that at feeding time the skimmer is pulling out things you want consumed (like phytoplankton). Thus, it really depends on what's in your tank and what you are trying to feed. On a 20 gallon, a skimmer can help reduce nitrates. However, I have found that Chaeto in the sump is a more effective nitrate reducer than a skimmer. If all you have is fish, and your dumping in flake food, there's really no point turning off the skimmer. Best of luck, Roy

08/14/2007, 07:29 PM	#10
angel2007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wish I was back in Chicago Posts: 100	I started with a 90g tank, but the apartment complex said that it was to much weight therefore I had to move my corals and live rock in a 20g. not that i want to but we will be moving soon. i have fish in my tank and i feed them frozen brime shrimp, but what about when i add my inverterbrate food should the skimmer be off? and so for how long? thank for the help

08/14/2007, 07:51 PM	#11
MimicTang Moved On Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Hartford CT Posts: 1,517	all day

08/14/2007, 07:57 PM	#13
reefkeeper135 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yuma Arizona Posts: 531	24x7x365 turn off only when cleaning or dosing

08/14/2007, 08:31 PM	#14
kookerson Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,017	another 24x7 (as if there werent enough)..........I also only turn it off why dosing stuff....

08/14/2007, 08:45 PM	#15
t-bone2 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: wrong end of the stick Posts: 577	mine doesnt have an off button __________________ It's all smoke and mirrors Current Tank Info: 210gal becoming reef 90 reef going away

08/14/2007, 10:01 PM	#16
Mavrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California - South Bay Area Posts: 2,775	I have mine in my sump running all the time. When I feed, I turn off the pump and the skimmer stays on (skimming the pool of water that it stays in. Most things don't have an on/off button, but unplugging or hooking the outlet up to a switch are common solutions. Personally, I just "test" the GFCI that the pump is on (all my outlets are individual GFCI's) and it goes off. Then I reset it to turn it back on.

08/14/2007, 10:57 PM	#17
dameon Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ontario, canada Posts: 46	I leave my skimmer on all day as well. i agree that anyone that says that the green stuff coming out of my water is only to be takin out for so many hours of the day is crazy!!!

08/14/2007, 11:03 PM	#18
InLimbo87 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Central FL Posts: 3,197	As others have said, no such thing as overskimming. Skim away!! __________________ We are forever responsible for that which we tame... Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

08/14/2007, 11:09 PM	#19
AquaReeferMan Got Reef? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Under the Sea, Pa Posts: 4,593	I will clean mine out once a month, other then that its always on. I wouldnt listen to your LFS anymore. If you have any questions come and ask here. __________________ Couple SPS/Zoanthid tanks and a couple of FW planted tanks. Current Tank Info: 5 pieces of glass with some silicone and plastic frames holding them together

08/15/2007, 02:02 AM	#20
sanosuke Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: La Posts: 58	mine runs all day and all night

08/15/2007, 04:33 AM	#21
ndas2976 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 137	24/7, only turn off for it's weekly maintenance.

08/15/2007, 05:59 AM	#22
shuturhole316tx Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Killeen, TX/Camp Taji, Iraq Posts: 315	24/7 __________________ Thanks, John 180 Gal Reef & Fish Starfire Tank Current Tank Info: 180 Gal, Starfire Tank, Corals, Fish, inverts, lots of money!

08/15/2007, 06:07 AM	#23
hoyta Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Camden, NC Posts: 286	another tale from the LFS __________________ Go MIAMI!!!!! Current Tank Info: 34 g Solana