Skimmer's skim, wet or dry?

LinkinReef · 09/10/2011, 09:01 PM

I've been running my skimmer(Vertex Alpha Cone 200) at this setting which I'm assuming as wet skim. The pic below is from a 4 day skim. What do you guys think of this? keep it the way it is or make it skim drier/darker?

pmrossetti · 09/10/2011, 09:15 PM

darker

LinkinReef · 09/10/2011, 10:32 PM

What's the main difference between wet/light and dry/dark? I'm assuming it's just that darker removes more "nasty stuff" from the water, but I would like to find out a little more about this

sporto0 · 09/11/2011, 12:19 AM

Darker, thicker sludge.

rkaires · 09/11/2011, 05:04 AM

Looks good to me. This is how my skimmate looks.

If I adjust it to skim dryer it will be darker but the neck will build up a thick layer of sludge in a couple days.

Indymann99 · 09/11/2011, 07:21 AM

One thing to note when you skim WET. You are removing more "water" and that will lower your SG (assuming you are topping off with RODI). May not be a problem if your waterchanges are frequent and the "Quantity" of wet skimmate is small (ie smallish collection cup).

Just something to watch.

rishma · 09/11/2011, 07:53 AM

it is not logical (IMO) to think that wet vs. dry removes anything significantly different in terms of compounds skimmed from the water. Wet simply has more water in it. people like the look of dry dark skimmate because it looks like some really nasty stuff is being removed. it is just psychological.

There are advantages of both wet and dry. It is possible (but unproven) that wet removes more organics in a given period of time. The neck stays cleaner longer when wet skimming. However, as mentioned above you have to deal with salinity due to removal of all that water. YOu also have to empty the cup more frequently.

I prefer wet skim because I have an external collection bucket an I don't have to clean the neck very often.

wildman926 · 09/11/2011, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rishma

It is possible (but unproven) that wet removes more organics in a given period of time. The neck stays cleaner longer when wet skimming. However, as mentioned above you have to deal with salinity due to removal of all that water. YOu also have to empty the cup more frequently.

I prefer wet skim because I have an external collection bucket an I don't have to clean the neck very often.

X2.

I feel that wet skimming does remove more organics from the additional backpressure in the skimmer to push the organics up and over the tube into the waste cup easier. I feel the drier skimming, with less back pressure in the skimmer, may miss some fine organics and place this back in the output of the skimmer.

LinkinReef · 09/11/2011, 12:00 PM

I was also thinking of the wet skim reducing my SG. I tend to always have a 5g bucket of fresh saltwater at hand just in case anything happens so I guess I can just top it off by checking my SG every night or every 2 days.

edwin-orellana · 09/11/2011, 12:07 PM

I also prefer to wet skim, the reasons have been mentioned above

rkaires · 09/11/2011, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LinkinReef

I was also thinking of the wet skim reducing my SG. I tend to always have a 5g bucket of fresh saltwater at hand just in case anything happens so I guess I can just top it off by checking my SG every night or every 2 days.

I check my SG weekly and rarely have to adjust due to wet skimming.

rishma · 09/12/2011, 09:38 AM

I do a small water change each week. I mix the water with a little extra salt to correct my salinity from wet skim.

09/10/2011, 09:01 PM	#1
LinkinReef Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 987	Skimmer's skim, wet or dry? I've been running my skimmer(Vertex Alpha Cone 200) at this setting which I'm assuming as wet skim. The pic below is from a 4 day skim. What do you guys think of this? keep it the way it is or make it skim drier/darker? __________________ 34g

09/10/2011, 10:32 PM	#3
LinkinReef Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 987	What's the main difference between wet/light and dry/dark? I'm assuming it's just that darker removes more "nasty stuff" from the water, but I would like to find out a little more about this __________________ 34g

09/11/2011, 05:04 AM	#5
rkaires Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dingmans Ferry, PA Posts: 1,083	Looks good to me. This is how my skimmate looks. If I adjust it to skim dryer it will be darker but the neck will build up a thick layer of sludge in a couple days. __________________ Bob Current Tank Info: 200gal system, 150gal & 58gal reef, ATI Powermodule & Sunpower , ATB Deluxe skimmer, KZ zeo reactor, Geo 618, FX1500 return, Tunze 7095, Tunze Streams.

09/11/2011, 07:21 AM	#6
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	One thing to note when you skim WET. You are removing more "water" and that will lower your SG (assuming you are topping off with RODI). May not be a problem if your waterchanges are frequent and the "Quantity" of wet skimmate is small (ie smallish collection cup). Just something to watch. __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO

09/11/2011, 12:00 PM	#9
LinkinReef Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 987	I was also thinking of the wet skim reducing my SG. I tend to always have a 5g bucket of fresh saltwater at hand just in case anything happens so I guess I can just top it off by checking my SG every night or every 2 days. __________________ 34g

09/10/2011, 09:15 PM	#2
pmrossetti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 3,199	darker

09/11/2011, 12:19 AM	#4
sporto0 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Posts: 2,924	Darker, thicker sludge.

09/11/2011, 07:53 AM	#7
rishma Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 1,206	it is not logical (IMO) to think that wet vs. dry removes anything significantly different in terms of compounds skimmed from the water. Wet simply has more water in it. people like the look of dry dark skimmate because it looks like some really nasty stuff is being removed. it is just psychological. There are advantages of both wet and dry. It is possible (but unproven) that wet removes more organics in a given period of time. The neck stays cleaner longer when wet skimming. However, as mentioned above you have to deal with salinity due to removal of all that water. YOu also have to empty the cup more frequently. I prefer wet skim because I have an external collection bucket an I don't have to clean the neck very often.

09/11/2011, 12:07 PM	#10
edwin-orellana Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hollywood Posts: 195	I also prefer to wet skim, the reasons have been mentioned above

09/12/2011, 09:38 AM	#12
rishma Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 1,206	I do a small water change each week. I mix the water with a little extra salt to correct my salinity from wet skim.

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