how long to skim

dolphinman213 · 01/29/2008, 05:44 PM

there are a lot of mixed reviews----some go skimmerless---some don't---am i hurting my system by skimming 24/7

Fishbulb2 · 01/29/2008, 05:53 PM

probably not. This is typically the "norm". Aside from just skimming out organic matter, a skimmer is great for oxygenating the water as well. It's a nice perk to running a skimmer 24/7. I would hesitate to turn my skimmer off for extended periods of time.

dolphinman213 · 01/29/2008, 06:01 PM

thanks for the info--one more question?--i just finished assembling a 55 gal tank(my old african cichlid tank) into a sump/fuge, i am changing out my old sump(i think its a 15 or 20 gal--i bought it from another reefer)to use in it's place--does that mean that i have 110 volumes of water flow now(my tank is a 55gal) i just could not stand to see it sitting in the shed without doing something to it

Fishbulb2 · 01/29/2008, 06:06 PM

umm, your "total" volume kind of depends on what you are using it for. For example, if you are dosing ANY additive or chemical to your reef, then yes include the sump and all drops of water in the system to calculate your "volume". All of these attached systems will contribute to the final concentration of your additive. If you are trying to determine how much flow you need or how many fish to add in the display, I would go with the display tanks volume. Although, this is slightly negotiable. If you are regarding to total volume to pick out a skimmer, well then best of luck. I've never been able to do it!

dolphinman213 · 01/29/2008, 06:15 PM

i am dosing---but is this overkill(a 55 gal display with a 55 gal sump/fuge) or just a reefer using what he's got

Lynden-Jeff · 01/31/2008, 06:26 PM

Of course its over kill but does it really matter? Its not bad, the more water volume the better. Gotta do what you gotta do.

01/29/2008, 05:44 PM	#1
dolphinman213 florida guru Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: florida Posts: 901	how long to skim there are a lot of mixed reviews----some go skimmerless---some don't---am i hurting my system by skimming 24/7 __________________ "it is often those who do not seek knowledge are the ones that have the knowledge already", but those that seek it, are the ones that are dumbfounded. Current Tank Info: 29 gallon bio cube w/ 8 lamp t5 ho fixture

01/29/2008, 05:53 PM	#2
Fishbulb2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,807	probably not. This is typically the "norm". Aside from just skimming out organic matter, a skimmer is great for oxygenating the water as well. It's a nice perk to running a skimmer 24/7. I would hesitate to turn my skimmer off for extended periods of time. __________________ Just getting back in, but trying to do it right! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon tank. SPS, LPS, few softies

01/29/2008, 06:01 PM	#3
dolphinman213 florida guru Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: florida Posts: 901	thanks for the info--one more question?--i just finished assembling a 55 gal tank(my old african cichlid tank) into a sump/fuge, i am changing out my old sump(i think its a 15 or 20 gal--i bought it from another reefer)to use in it's place--does that mean that i have 110 volumes of water flow now(my tank is a 55gal) i just could not stand to see it sitting in the shed without doing something to it __________________ "it is often those who do not seek knowledge are the ones that have the knowledge already", but those that seek it, are the ones that are dumbfounded. Current Tank Info: 29 gallon bio cube w/ 8 lamp t5 ho fixture

01/29/2008, 06:06 PM	#4
Fishbulb2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,807	umm, your "total" volume kind of depends on what you are using it for. For example, if you are dosing ANY additive or chemical to your reef, then yes include the sump and all drops of water in the system to calculate your "volume". All of these attached systems will contribute to the final concentration of your additive. If you are trying to determine how much flow you need or how many fish to add in the display, I would go with the display tanks volume. Although, this is slightly negotiable. If you are regarding to total volume to pick out a skimmer, well then best of luck. I've never been able to do it! __________________ Just getting back in, but trying to do it right! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon tank. SPS, LPS, few softies

01/29/2008, 06:15 PM	#5
dolphinman213 florida guru Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: florida Posts: 901	i am dosing---but is this overkill(a 55 gal display with a 55 gal sump/fuge) or just a reefer using what he's got __________________ "it is often those who do not seek knowledge are the ones that have the knowledge already", but those that seek it, are the ones that are dumbfounded. Current Tank Info: 29 gallon bio cube w/ 8 lamp t5 ho fixture

01/31/2008, 06:26 PM	#6
Lynden-Jeff Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern Ontario Posts: 27	Of course its over kill but does it really matter? Its not bad, the more water volume the better. Gotta do what you gotta do.