How long do you run your protein skimmer?
- Thread starter Chitownpw
- Start date
slief
RC Sponsor
24/7
Skimmers are desiged to be run 24/7. If you shut them off, you impact the slime coating by allowing it to dry out which impacts the skimmer performance. Personally, I like a consistent skimmer and I also like the dissolved o2 that the skimmer provides. Not having it running reduces the dissolved o2 in the system when it's not running and it also impacts the skimmers overall performance.
There are many who run their skimmers part time but it's a practice I don't agree with for the reasons I mentioned above. There is really no upside in running a skimmer part time. Some might argue that it removes food during feeding but I'd argue that they need to find a better way to feed or slow the flow down in their tank so their fish can get the food before it goes over the overflow.
Skimmers are desiged to be run 24/7. If you shut them off, you impact the slime coating by allowing it to dry out which impacts the skimmer performance. Personally, I like a consistent skimmer and I also like the dissolved o2 that the skimmer provides. Not having it running reduces the dissolved o2 in the system when it's not running and it also impacts the skimmers overall performance.
There are many who run their skimmers part time but it's a practice I don't agree with for the reasons I mentioned above. There is really no upside in running a skimmer part time. Some might argue that it removes food during feeding but I'd argue that they need to find a better way to feed or slow the flow down in their tank so their fish can get the food before it goes over the overflow.
d2mini
Premium Member
+1
24/7 here too.
Remind me to empty and clean my cup today, thanks.
I don't even turn my skimmer off to clean it. I take the cup upstairs and clean it, then use a bottle brush to clean the neck before putting the cup back on.
hkgar
Active member
+1, only off for cleaning.
Well, one exception, since my ATO pumps into the a tee inserted between the skimmer venturi and my co2 scrubber, Apex will shut in down if the ATO is on more then 15 minutes. I do this to prevent the water level from rising too high and potentially causing a small overflow. The ATO has never run that long though.
I run the ATO that way so that it cleans the venturi
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