Newbe-dumb question

woody__ca · 02/21/2006, 10:55 PM

Can I over filter if I use a skimmer for a larger tank? I was thinking that if the flow rate was more, I could just dump the extra back into the skimmer sump and let the remainder go through the rest of the sump.

Thanks

woody__ca

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/22/2006, 08:03 AM

It may depend a bit on what type of organisms that tou keep. Tanks with predominately soft corals and filter feeders might be able to be overskimmed, removing some food for them from the water. A hard coral/SPS tank may not be able to be overskimmed, as long as you are feeding the fish.

steve the plumb · 02/22/2006, 09:08 AM

I have 2 skimmers running on my tank yet I don't get tons of skimmate I do feed 3 cubes a day plus pellets and I feed the corals at night.I also have calerpa.If your tank is clean and you have a large or oversized skimmer there is only so much you can skim.There will always be food in the tank that is left over.As long as you are getting a steady skimmate you should be fine.If you want shut the skimmer off when feeding your corals.I had a custumer who was using a skimmer that was 4 ft high on his 105 gal tank.He paid 2 grand for the skimmer I thought that was over kill since he had 3 small fish and about 30 pounds of live rock.The tank was empty and he had maybe 4 small polyps on rocks.His tank was clean.

woody__ca · 02/23/2006, 01:42 AM

Thank you all

woody

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/23/2006, 07:50 AM

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

02/21/2006, 10:55 PM	#1
woody__ca Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 11	Newbe-dumb question Can I over filter if I use a skimmer for a larger tank? I was thinking that if the flow rate was more, I could just dump the extra back into the skimmer sump and let the remainder go through the rest of the sump. Thanks woody__ca

02/22/2006, 08:03 AM	#2
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	It may depend a bit on what type of organisms that tou keep. Tanks with predominately soft corals and filter feeders might be able to be overskimmed, removing some food for them from the water. A hard coral/SPS tank may not be able to be overskimmed, as long as you are feeding the fish. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/23/2006, 01:42 AM	#4
woody__ca Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 11	over skimming?? Thank you all woody

02/23/2006, 07:50 AM	#5
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	You're welcome. Happy Reefing. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/22/2006, 09:08 AM	#3
steve the plumb Moved On Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 3,664	I have 2 skimmers running on my tank yet I don't get tons of skimmate I do feed 3 cubes a day plus pellets and I feed the corals at night.I also have calerpa.If your tank is clean and you have a large or oversized skimmer there is only so much you can skim.There will always be food in the tank that is left over.As long as you are getting a steady skimmate you should be fine.If you want shut the skimmer off when feeding your corals.I had a custumer who was using a skimmer that was 4 ft high on his 105 gal tank.He paid 2 grand for the skimmer I thought that was over kill since he had 3 small fish and about 30 pounds of live rock.The tank was empty and he had maybe 4 small polyps on rocks.His tank was clean.