Any one running 2 skimmers?

NewSchool04

NewSchool04

New member
I just took out my DSB in my sump and added another skimmer. Now running a ER ES5-2 and added another ER, same dimensions, same pump, just a different name, CS 80 or 90.
So I added an exact duplicate skimmer and I'm wondering if I'll double my skimmate production or really if it will make any difference.
Does anyone else run two skimmers and did you see any difference after adding the second? Any difference in amount of skimmate, noticible tank changes?
You can click on the pics for a larger image:



 
apparently not. personally i think its a great idea being able to skim one wet and one dry you are get the best of both worlds at the same time.
 
i am, i run a tunze skimmer cause its sweeet. more people should check it out! i also run a berlin turbo, but just so i can run some ozone. the skimmer itself kinda sucks, but produces ok for a few days right after i clean it out real good.
 
On my 180/120 I'm running 2 skimmers. I'm running an MRC MR-6R powered by a Panworld 250-ps and also a recirced ASM G3. I run the MRC wet and the ASM dry. I use the same feed pump to each skimmer. I don't honestly get much from the ASM and am considering removing it. I'm not saying it doesn't pull anything out, but not enough to justify running it.

You may have different results running the same skimmers though. Keep us informed on how it works out.
 
yes, when the berlin is working, the skimmate is typically very dark and smelly and nasty. however, this is only for about a week after i thouroghly clean it out and run it through vinagar. i try to let the tuze skim wetter though and it will pull out quite a bit of thinner, but still brownish good skimate every day. since I added the tunze, my water quality has been much better and I have no more hair algea or cyano.
 
It's been two weeks now and I'm a little surprised so far with the results. I'm effectively pulling out double the amount of skimmate, some real nasty stuff. My old skimmer hasn't lost a step, I see no difference in the amount that it pulls, cleaning it twice a week. The new one is working at the same pace, pulling the same amount as the old and the same stinky stuff.

I thought working together, they would slow down, maybe pull less each but it doesn't seem to be working that way.
 
This is a good thread! Now, why are you running 2 skimmers? Why did you remove your dsb? The reason for my questions... I will installing a new sump and I'm contemplating a dsb or just macro in it. Although, I will be upgrading my skimmer from ASM G2 to ETSS800. What are your thoughts?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8619504#post8619504 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jun_celis
This is a good thread! Now, why are you running 2 skimmers? Why did you remove your dsb? The reason for my questions... I will installing a new sump and I'm contemplating a dsb or just macro in it. Although, I will be upgrading my skimmer from ASM G2 to ETSS800. What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...

I had to take the DSB out of the sump to fit the other skimmer, there was no way around it and I didn't think that it was doing much b/c I have a DSB in the main tank.

My one skimmer was under powered for the bio load and tank(s) size so I decided to add another one. I also can't stop fidgeting with the tank!
 
My God, I was looking at your signature and we're almost identical with the setup, including the nano! Anyhow, I've decided I will not be putting another dsb in the sump. I will just put my macro in there and a big skimmer. thanks for a decision making thread!
 
i know v. little about reef keeping. based off the small amount i do know i think a dsb is the way to go. not only does it remove nitrates it also gives your little tiney tiny critters a place to live.
as far as skiming goes why do you want to run two skimmers in the first place?
i have been doning alot of reading aobut what skimmers do and understand their function but am not sure if i want one.
i am establishing a new tank.
I'm not opposed to frequent watter changes.
I have two friends with awsome tanks.
one runs his skimmer 24-7, the other dosent have a skimer and has been keeping magnificent tanks for over 3 years.
the 120 with constant skimming requires less water changes and keeps a good reef.
the guy w/o a skimmer keeps a very diverse tank. pulsing xenia grows like mad in his water.
the guy with constant skimming cannot keep xenia alive for the live of him. there are many other corals he has had a dificult time with.
my question is do you realy want your water that clean. i know that you are taking out some of the nutrients the algee likes but can't you use a large ball of keto in your fuge as a nutrient export?
do some corals prefer "dirty water"?

I have a skimmer that i run from timw to time to time, and yes phycologicaly i feal like i am doing something right when i pull out a huge cup of nasty brwon smelley goo. I also feal a bit guilty:(
 
I just decide to go no remote dsb is because I already have dsb in my main tank. I have over 2 inches of southdown and I have no problem with nitrates at all. The most would be 10ppm. After the water change, I would go down between 0-2. Just my 2 cents.
 
I do want my water that clean, as clean as I can get it. I think it really depends on what type of tank you decide on running though. Mine is 95% acropora, need very clean water, good flow, for good growth and color. If I was running a softie / LPS tank I don't think I would be that anal about the second skimmer or my water quality.
After adding the skimmer though, I'm pulling out twice as much skimmate than I was before the addition. That means every time I cleaned my skimmer cup out before, I was leaving a cup in the tank.
 
I wouldn't consider 2" a DSB jun_celis. You are in that mid zone of might not be helping and could be hurting as far as depth.

Here are a couple of pics of my DSB in my main display. Right in the middle where the flows meet it's about 2 1/2" and on the sides and back 4" or more.
Click the pic for a larger view:



 
The 1 inch to 3 inch "rule" is crap. You're better off at 2 then 4. You'll get the bacteria that helps reduce nitrates but it's not so deep to cause the problems that poison and crash systems. With a 2 inch sandbed if you happen to move/stir it you won't have problems and at worse case you might loose the anearobic environment until it builds back up again.

I've ran tanks for 25 years with 2-2.5 inches (1.5-1.75" small grain and .5-.75" bigger coral to keep from being blown around) with great success and zero nitrates. With the thicker coral subtrate at the top you can easily clean it and have powerheads blowing right over it and it doesn't get blown around like a sand storm.

As for the dual protein skimmers. I run two also on a heavy bio loaded system but neither skims as much as using just one since the water is pretty clean. I did it for redundancy and had it laying around.

A tip for anyone running 2. Stagger your cleaning of them. In other words don't clean them both the same day. Typically most skimmers aren't very effective right after a cleaning until the tube gets a little nasty. By alternating this one is always working at top performance. You get the idea.
 
Ha, here we go! I'll just say to each his own. Everyone loves their DSB, SSB or BB; whatever is trendy. I'll stick with what I've been doing.
I like the idea about staggering the cleaning on the skimmers though.
 
Sorry, I wasn't trying to stir up any debates on the DSB. I shouldn't have even mentioned it here in this thread so lets just talk dual skimmers.
 
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