Skimmer Questions

connpatd · 10/01/2007, 03:05 PM

How long should I run my (hang-on) skimmer? 24x7? I've had it overflow onto my floor a couple of times when letting it run all day. How can I get around that?

Also, is it a good idea to leave the skimmer off when medicating a tank? One of my fish has a sore (hope it isn't HLLE) so I've been putting in an anti-biotic to keep it from getting infected. I am wondering if a skimmer will just skim out the medication I put in.

On a side note, the water is finally perfect, I finally have tons of critters on the rock and in the sand and the corraline is coming in nicely. Just found out that we've been approved for a mortgage so I'll be having to move my 120 gal 2 weeks from now. I'm pretty worried about moving the tank without starting over.

Any tips or pointers?

CruzinKim · 10/01/2007, 03:12 PM

What model skimmer do you have? You might have it set too close to overflowing. I've never had an overflow once a new skimmer is broken in and set correctly.

der_wille_zur_macht · 10/01/2007, 03:13 PM

I'd start a new thread about the move - or just search on here, it is a topic that has been covered many times.

Can you give some details on the tank? Size, stocking, skimmer model, etc. would be great. Usually, it is best to run the skimmer 100% of the time. If the skimmer is overflowing, sounds like it isn't adjusted correctly. Skimmers usually have a method to adjust the water height in the body relative to the collection cup, you should adjust it to lower the water level (or raise the cup relative to the water level, depending on the model of skimmer.)

Skimming while medicating sounds like a question for the vendor or manufacturer of the medication - or at least post some more info about which medication you're using on here if you want some more specific help.

connpatd · 10/01/2007, 03:25 PM

I'm using a Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel Protein Skimmer (is this a good one?)

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...4&pcatid=13924

The tank is 120 gallons (48x24x24)

Stocked with 180 lbs of live rock, 1 fairy wrasse, 1 diamond goby, and 1 powder blue tang.

der_wille_zur_macht · 10/01/2007, 03:27 PM

That's an OK skimmer. The little red knob on the top of the outflow plumbing should adjust the water level. Turn it to the lowest setting and let it run for a few hours. Adjust it upwards from there until it barely starts collecting skimmate. Let it sit for several hours between adjustments if you can.

Once you've got it so it'll just sit and barely turn out skimmate WITHOUT overflowing, you can tweak to your desired level by making very, very small adjustments.

connpatd · 10/02/2007, 11:55 AM

Damn, I had it running fine again last night (very dry) for 3 hours and then added medication before going to bed.

It ended up leaking all over the floor again and the Landlord wasted no time banging on my door.

Skimmers suck! and do not appear to be worth the effort. They add micro-bubbles and go from dry skimate to leaking all over the floor.

10/01/2007, 03:05 PM	#1
connpatd Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 182	Skimmer Questions How long should I run my (hang-on) skimmer? 24x7? I've had it overflow onto my floor a couple of times when letting it run all day. How can I get around that? Also, is it a good idea to leave the skimmer off when medicating a tank? One of my fish has a sore (hope it isn't HLLE) so I've been putting in an anti-biotic to keep it from getting infected. I am wondering if a skimmer will just skim out the medication I put in. On a side note, the water is finally perfect, I finally have tons of critters on the rock and in the sand and the corraline is coming in nicely. Just found out that we've been approved for a mortgage so I'll be having to move my 120 gal 2 weeks from now. I'm pretty worried about moving the tank without starting over. Any tips or pointers?

10/01/2007, 03:13 PM	#3
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	I'd start a new thread about the move - or just search on here, it is a topic that has been covered many times. Can you give some details on the tank? Size, stocking, skimmer model, etc. would be great. Usually, it is best to run the skimmer 100% of the time. If the skimmer is overflowing, sounds like it isn't adjusted correctly. Skimmers usually have a method to adjust the water height in the body relative to the collection cup, you should adjust it to lower the water level (or raise the cup relative to the water level, depending on the model of skimmer.) Skimming while medicating sounds like a question for the vendor or manufacturer of the medication - or at least post some more info about which medication you're using on here if you want some more specific help. __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

10/01/2007, 03:27 PM	#5
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	That's an OK skimmer. The little red knob on the top of the outflow plumbing should adjust the water level. Turn it to the lowest setting and let it run for a few hours. Adjust it upwards from there until it barely starts collecting skimmate. Let it sit for several hours between adjustments if you can. Once you've got it so it'll just sit and barely turn out skimmate WITHOUT overflowing, you can tweak to your desired level by making very, very small adjustments. __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

10/01/2007, 03:12 PM	#2
CruzinKim Moved On Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: If Not There, Then Here. Posts: 693	What model skimmer do you have? You might have it set too close to overflowing. I've never had an overflow once a new skimmer is broken in and set correctly.

10/01/2007, 03:25 PM	#4
connpatd Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 182	I'm using a Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel Protein Skimmer (is this a good one?) http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...4&pcatid=13924 The tank is 120 gallons (48x24x24) Stocked with 180 lbs of live rock, 1 fairy wrasse, 1 diamond goby, and 1 powder blue tang.

10/02/2007, 11:55 AM	#6
connpatd Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 182	Damn, I had it running fine again last night (very dry) for 3 hours and then added medication before going to bed. It ended up leaking all over the floor again and the Landlord wasted no time banging on my door. Skimmers suck! and do not appear to be worth the effort. They add micro-bubbles and go from dry skimate to leaking all over the floor.