Skimmers: how long are you running your's?

[neuro]

I've got a mixed reef, and I've been reading a few things about having "too-clean" of an environment for my zoos to grow.
... but I also have to contend with my sps/lps who I assume need a clean environment.

I've got my Reef Octopus running constantly.

Does anyone have any experience running them other than 24/7? What was your schedule like and have you noticed anything different?

 

[mattcoug]

I have a mixed tank and run 24/7 - I have a lot of fish and feed well so the skimmer doesn't bother anything.

I limit my GFO because too much flow though GFO = too low phosphate thus softies stop growing and start to shrink.

 

[BAYMAC]

General rule of thumb is run them 24/7. Not doing so is a waste of equipment and only serves to export no nutrients.

 

[CookieJar]

Mine runs about 22-23 hrs. a day since when I feel the skimmer is off for 1 hr. to let the feed run through the system before the skimmer removes it.

 

[BAYMAC]

what are you feeding that doesn't stop skimmate production? Any quality feed should shut skimmate production down (fatty acids)

 

[rygh]

I run 24/7.
Some opinions on problems with running part-time:

1) PH swings due to CO2 levels.
Your skimmer can have an effect on O2 and CO2 levels, which in turn affects PH.
Could be a particular concern if dosing Kalk.

2) Skimmer head
It takes a while for the bubbles of crud to build up in the head and stabilize.
Turning it off allows the head to collapse.
So time is wasted, plus all the crud collected in the head ends up back in the water.

3) Pump longevity.
Turning some pumps on/off a lot is bad. If it is 1/day, unlikely to be an issue.
But on/off every hour could be.

4) Timer failure.
Whatever you use to turn it on/off adds yet another point of failure.
Leaving skimmer off for a few days on vacation could be a big problem.

5) Dead fish/etc.
Rare of course, but if something suddenly dies, best if your skimmer is on,
and not on a long idle-cycle.

 

[sfsuphysics]

Only time my skimmer pumps aren't running is when I'm doing some maintenance/cleaning on them. As to the whole ""too clean of a tank" I would really LOVE to have that problem, and I bet the vast majority of people do not have that problem at all. Is brown gunk going into your skimmer cup? Then your tank ain't too clean

 

[neuro]

i do have brown gunk in the skimmer, but it's not a whole lot.

i'll keep my skimmer running 24/7. seems like the wise decision

 

[BAYMAC]

I run 24/7.
Some opinions on problems with running part-time:

1) PH swings due to CO2 levels.
Your skimmer can have an effect on O2 and CO2 levels, which in turn affects PH.
Could be a particular concern if dosing Kalk.

2) Skimmer head
It takes a while for the bubbles of crud to build up in the head and stabilize.
Turning it off allows the head to collapse.
So time is wasted, plus all the crud collected in the head ends up back in the water.

3) Pump longevity.
Turning some pumps on/off a lot is bad. If it is 1/day, unlikely to be an issue.
But on/off every hour could be.

4) Timer failure.
Whatever you use to turn it on/off adds yet another point of failure.
Leaving skimmer off for a few days on vacation could be a big problem.

5) Dead fish/etc.
Rare of course, but if something suddenly dies, best if your skimmer is on,
and not on a long idle-cycle.

6) Unexpected spawns

 

[bondolo]

Run it 24/7 except when doing maintenance. I frequently don't even shut off the pumps when cleaning the cups on mine.

That said, LPS and softies do seem to like it a little dirtier. Species that are

 

[denzil]

From my experience, the palys/zoas are pretty resilient and almost seemingly don't care how dirty or clean the water is. I've had some zoas propagate really well and some that just exist and don't really propagate... it's weird.

 

[650-IS350]

Zs n Ps are collected all over n in various type of habitats. From clean clear turbulent water to dirty or super nutrient rich areas so. Only thing to do is acclimate them properly to your tank lighting n environment n hope that it adapts n takes too ur tank n proliferate. And not melt on u. Stable parameters n no predators are key.

 

[tankguy]

I never turn mine off unless I'm cleaning it

 

[gimmito]

+1.

 

[Kensington Reefer]

I have had them on 24/7. I have tanks that don't have one at all. I've had systems that had the skimmer on for 12hrs/day. Having said that, I find that water changes are the most effective form of nutrient and waste export. But, I do like the way a skimmer helps with gas exchange.