skimmer

YE||0W TA|\|G · 05/26/2009, 12:19 PM

I drilled a hole into my collection up awhile back so that once the skimate had reached a certain point it would drain into a 1 gallon jug but now I realize that I dont catch it all the time and the 1 gallon jug overflows.. nasty.. What do some of you reefers use to collect the skimate

SeanT · 05/26/2009, 12:22 PM

I use a 5 gallon bucket.

seaskraP · 05/26/2009, 01:59 PM

ditto, with a shut off switch for the skimmer pump.

steveg1980 · 05/26/2009, 04:31 PM

Wow, to overflow a 1g container with skimmate seems like you aren't checking very often at all. How long does it take to fill that container? If it's filling it up super quick maybe you are skimming really wet and could raise your skimmer a bit to get a drier foam. Just my first reaction.

SeanT · 05/26/2009, 05:29 PM

Steve,
You have 28 gallons, he has over 180...it's all relative.

Sean

steveg1980 · 05/27/2009, 11:07 AM

I didn't mean to imply that he's negligent in checking his tank, but I just figured even a 180 would take at least a week to produce 1g of skimmate, unless it's really wet. Maybe I'm wrong as I've never had a tank that big before, but extrapolating my own experiences leads me to believe a good dry skimmate would only equal a max of a couple cups a day on a tank that size. My tank produces about 5 tablespoons of dry skimmate per day max. I could be totally wrong since each tank is unique with respect to stocking levels, feeding, etc. But, my guess is he's letting his skimmate build up for quite a while in order to overflow a 1g container.

sus · 05/27/2009, 12:56 PM

with my old skimmer, i had a line from the collection cup to a ball valve to a drain in the floor. I kept it closed until I was ready to drain it then I would simply open the valve.
the scary thing about having it drain straight to a bucket is in the event of the skimmer going crazy and dumping a ton of saltwater down the drain, replacing it with ro (assuming an ato that is).
atleast if this happens with a valve, the overflow will go back into the sump (unless its external)

evil4g63 · 05/27/2009, 02:54 PM

i would say get a plastic jar that has a big lid on it like cookies or something like that, drill the hole from the skimmer cup then go to bulk reef supply and buy one of their diy ato system and wire it to the pump. when the jar gets filled to the top it will shut off your skimmer pump. no more goo on the floor and no additional space required.

fufu · 05/27/2009, 04:02 PM

A storage Bin, Just pull it out to dump it.

1geo · 05/27/2009, 05:03 PM

I have a 40 gal tank with a wet/dry filter, the skimmer is in the filter sump. I use a 1 liter bottle for overflow. I put 1 cap full of Clorox in the bottle which kills the smell.

05/26/2009, 12:19 PM	#1
YE\|\|0W TA\|\\|G Registered Member $YE\|\|0W TA\|\\|G's Avatar$ Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Hillsborough New Jersey Posts: 699	skimmer I drilled a hole into my collection up awhile back so that once the skimate had reached a certain point it would drain into a 1 gallon jug but now I realize that I dont catch it all the time and the 1 gallon jug overflows.. nasty.. What do some of you reefers use to collect the skimate __________________ Rome was not built in a day, and neither was the ocean.. or our aquariums.. patience is they key to success.
$YE\|\|0W TA\|\\|G is offline$

05/26/2009, 12:22 PM	#2
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	I use a 5 gallon bucket. __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

05/26/2009, 04:31 PM	#4
steveg1980 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bonney Lake, WA Posts: 25	Wow, to overflow a 1g container with skimmate seems like you aren't checking very often at all. How long does it take to fill that container? If it's filling it up super quick maybe you are skimming really wet and could raise your skimmer a bit to get a drier foam. Just my first reaction. __________________ - Steve Current Tank Info: JBJ 28g Nano Cube Quad PC Deluxe

05/26/2009, 05:29 PM	#5
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	Steve, You have 28 gallons, he has over 180...it's all relative. Sean __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

05/27/2009, 11:07 AM	#6
steveg1980 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bonney Lake, WA Posts: 25	I didn't mean to imply that he's negligent in checking his tank, but I just figured even a 180 would take at least a week to produce 1g of skimmate, unless it's really wet. Maybe I'm wrong as I've never had a tank that big before, but extrapolating my own experiences leads me to believe a good dry skimmate would only equal a max of a couple cups a day on a tank that size. My tank produces about 5 tablespoons of dry skimmate per day max. I could be totally wrong since each tank is unique with respect to stocking levels, feeding, etc. But, my guess is he's letting his skimmate build up for quite a while in order to overflow a 1g container. __________________ - Steve Current Tank Info: JBJ 28g Nano Cube Quad PC Deluxe

05/26/2009, 01:59 PM	#3
seaskraP Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 447	ditto, with a shut off switch for the skimmer pump.

05/27/2009, 12:56 PM	#7
sus Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Arvada Colorado Posts: 606	with my old skimmer, i had a line from the collection cup to a ball valve to a drain in the floor. I kept it closed until I was ready to drain it then I would simply open the valve. the scary thing about having it drain straight to a bucket is in the event of the skimmer going crazy and dumping a ton of saltwater down the drain, replacing it with ro (assuming an ato that is). atleast if this happens with a valve, the overflow will go back into the sump (unless its external)

05/27/2009, 02:54 PM	#8
evil4g63 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 203	i would say get a plastic jar that has a big lid on it like cookies or something like that, drill the hole from the skimmer cup then go to bulk reef supply and buy one of their diy ato system and wire it to the pump. when the jar gets filled to the top it will shut off your skimmer pump. no more goo on the floor and no additional space required.

05/27/2009, 04:02 PM	#9
fufu Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 432	A storage Bin, Just pull it out to dump it.

05/27/2009, 05:03 PM	#10
1geo 1geo Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tampa Bay area of FL Posts: 230	I have a 40 gal tank with a wet/dry filter, the skimmer is in the filter sump. I use a 1 liter bottle for overflow. I put 1 cap full of Clorox in the bottle which kills the smell. __________________ George A Mandalou Current Tank Info: 1 - 40 gal