Protein Skimmer

[Donlow]

I have a 90 Gal tank. It’s been running great for about a year now.
90 lbs live rock
Hippo Tang
Sailfin Tang
Yellow Tang
Coral Beauty
Yellow Lined Grunt
2 Maroon Clowns
4 Chrome Damsels
Cleaner Shrimp
A bunch of Hermit Crabs

Question is this: I run a Fluval 405 Filter 24/7
I also run a Protein Skimmer 24/7 (over the side mounted; no sump tank)
The skimmer is a little noisy. Would it hurt to shut the skimmer down for a few hours each day when the room is occupied?
I have never had a problem so I don’t want to mess up a good thing.

 

[ben1987]

Some people only run their skimmers throught the night. I personally wouldnt do it but i have heard of many that do. I just dont like to risk anything.

I reckon you would probably be beat leaving it on though as you have quite a heavy fish stock so you want the water to be a good as possible

 

[Donlow]

Some people only run their skimmers throught the night. I personally wouldnt do it but i have heard of many that do. I just dont like to risk anything.

I reckon you would probably be beat leaving it on though as you have quite a heavy fish stock so you want the water to be a good as possible

I kind of agree. I'd rather run it to be sure. But there are many days that the waste cup collects nothing. Seems that it is running for nothing.

 

[kj23502]

If there are days it doesn't collect anything and you're sure that it's set up and running properly you could probably test run it at night for awhile and watch your nitrates. If the water quality is affected, you'll know you can't do that. If it's not, you know there's a good chance that it should be fine. If you decide to leave it off, be sure to consistenly test your water over a decent period of time to ensure "things" don't start building up. If there is a day or two where you feed heavier than other days, for example, feed majority in the morning and leave it on all day to pull excess out.


You have to tailor you equipment needs to your tank needs. There isn't a broad sweep that says this will or won't work for all tanks. It's up to you and what your water test, fish and/or corals tell you. They are your best indicator.



Kj

 

[BigC]

I would distain from turning your skimmer off, especially seeing that your not experiencing any problems running it that way.
Look at the make and model of your skimmer then use the internet to assertain if anyone else has modded that particular skimmer for more efficiency, it may mean changing the stock pump or even adding more air. Either way someone somewhere will most likely have some kind of solution.
Regards
BigC

 

[andywg]

There are many schools of thought which suggest s skimmer should never run for 4 hours after feeding (especially phytoplankton). This school of thought is found on the excellent Wet Web Media site.

I can see nothing wrong with having the skimmer off for a few hours. I used to run my reef with the skimmer off overnight.