Should I run my Protein Skimmer all the time?
- Thread starter Be11yDancer
- Start date
I am going to try running mine only about 12-16 hrs per day for a while. I know most people run 24/7 but there are some folks that would argue that running 24/7 actually depletes the water column of trace elements and some of the phtyoplankton and other goodies. Not sure what my little experiment will prove as I really am not sure how I would quantify if running the skimmer less than 24/7 will be a good thing or not.
But the argument does make some sense. A skimmer is very efficent filter and I can see how it might be overkill in running non stop. I guess a good way to measure any success will be water parameters and quality of livestock and their condition. I can always go to full time skimming if it appears that it is having an ill effect on the critters and water quality.
It would also depend on how heavily stocked the tank is concerning how much skimming is required. I will over the coming year post how I feel this is working for me.
But the argument does make some sense. A skimmer is very efficent filter and I can see how it might be overkill in running non stop. I guess a good way to measure any success will be water parameters and quality of livestock and their condition. I can always go to full time skimming if it appears that it is having an ill effect on the critters and water quality.
It would also depend on how heavily stocked the tank is concerning how much skimming is required. I will over the coming year post how I feel this is working for me.
IMO for the average reef hobbyist, there is far more benefit in all the harmful things being exported via continuous use of a skimmer than any downside from loss of trace elements. I think the great number of amazingly healthy reef systems out there these days that are using very powerful skimmers 24/7, speaks pretty well to that.
We also have to consider that many modern salt mixes far exceed natural seawater levels with many trace elements, so some extra exporting of these elements may actually be more of a benefit than a problem.
Also, skimmers are a powerful aeration tool that can help stabilize pH levels. In some systems, turning it on/off can increase daily pH swings - not a good thing.
As for phytoplankton, if you're dosing phyto it's probably a good idea to turn your skimmer off for an hour or two afterwards. But as for the notion of 24/7 skimming reducing phytoplankton levels in home aquaria, I think it's a non-issue. I don't think we have much (if any) sustaining levels of phytoplankton in our home systems to remove.
JMO
We also have to consider that many modern salt mixes far exceed natural seawater levels with many trace elements, so some extra exporting of these elements may actually be more of a benefit than a problem.
Also, skimmers are a powerful aeration tool that can help stabilize pH levels. In some systems, turning it on/off can increase daily pH swings - not a good thing.
As for phytoplankton, if you're dosing phyto it's probably a good idea to turn your skimmer off for an hour or two afterwards. But as for the notion of 24/7 skimming reducing phytoplankton levels in home aquaria, I think it's a non-issue. I don't think we have much (if any) sustaining levels of phytoplankton in our home systems to remove.
JMO
Chris brings up good points about the skimmer. Recently a member of this forum accidentally left his skimmer off all night. He woke up to dying clams 
. Unless you are very confident in your oxygen levels and water movement I would not leave the skimmer off for more than a few hours during liquid food dosing. If you have good water movement, surface agitation, and a light bioload you can probably get away with leaving the skimmer off for a bit. But the pros to this do not outweigh the cons IMO.
. Unless you are very confident in your oxygen levels and water movement I would not leave the skimmer off for more than a few hours during liquid food dosing. If you have good water movement, surface agitation, and a light bioload you can probably get away with leaving the skimmer off for a bit. But the pros to this do not outweigh the cons IMO.Sponsor Reefs
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