How long do you run your protein skimmer?

[d2mini]

Also, nothing is as simplistic as a Lifereef skimmer. They just work.

I agree whole-heartedly.
But I run a 30" lifereef on my 350g system (200g display).
I'm probably pushing it, but it's fine. I also grow massive amounts of chaeto in a lifereef refugium under an HPS grow light.
Nitrates are less than 1 ppm and P04 is low too.

I don't think you're going to be able to over skim the tank. If there is nothing to skim, it won't skim. Even my 30" has periods of down time.
Go ahead and try running that skimmer and if it doesn't work out, sell it and buy a smaller one.

 

[karimwassef]

My skimmer is 12ft tall. Never say never.

 

[LifeReef4Life]

I agree whole-heartedly.
But I run a 30" lifereef on my 350g system (200g display).
I'm probably pushing it, but it's fine. I also grow massive amounts of chaeto in a lifereef refugium under an HPS grow light.
Nitrates are less than 1 ppm and P04 is low too.

I don't think you're going to be able to over skim the tank. If there is nothing to skim, it won't skim. Even my 30" has periods of down time.
Go ahead and try running that skimmer and if it doesn't work out, sell it and buy a smaller one.

Thanks Dennis! I'm getting closer to making my choice, new 30 or old 48.
Thinking 30 and adding sand and weekly rather than daily WCs.
BB with daily WCs on the 40 left my 24" pretty bored (down time)
Thanks again.

 

[d2mini]

My skimmer is 12ft tall. Never say never.

There has to be a wiener joke here somewhere... I must be too tired to think of one.

 

[slief]

My weiner is 12ft tall.

:lolspin: :lolspin: :lolspin:

There has to be a wiener joke here somewhere...

^^^^^ Got ya covered. ^^^^^

:thumbsup:

 

[slief]

Oops duplicate.

 

[Fish Keeper82]

:deadhorse1::deadhorse1::deadhorse1::deadhorse1::deadhorse1:
24/7

 

[karimwassef]

Nice

 

[coralsnaked]

25/8/366
In other words I run it wet and only shut it off for maintenance.

 

[uncleL]

24/7

 

[iced98lx]

as with most others I only take it down for upkeep / cleaning.

 

[Shawn O]

+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

This is a really neat idea. I'm glad I read this post, thanks. This could save some serious work in the long run.

 

[whiner25]

run it 24/7 except during water changes...the new saltwater makes it over foam for a bit.

 

[solitude127]

I only shut off for w/c's and when emptying the skimmer cup

 

[hkgar]

I agree whole-heartedly.
But I run a 30" lifereef on my 350g system (200g display).
I'm probably pushing it, but it's fine. I also grow massive amounts of chaeto in a lifereef refugium under an HPS grow light.
Nitrates are less than 1 ppm and P04 is low too.

I don't think you're going to be able to over skim the tank. If there is nothing to skim, it won't skim. Even my 30" has periods of down time.
Go ahead and try running that skimmer and if it doesn't work out, sell it and buy a smaller one.

Is the height of a Lifereef measurd to the top of the bubble chamber or the top of the collection cup?

I have a Lifereef and I think it would be considered a 36 as ythat is the height to the top of the collection cup, but it is about 30 to the top of the chamber.

Best damned skimmer I have ever owned!!!!!!!!!!

 

[d2mini]

Is the height of a Lifereef measurd to the top of the bubble chamber or the top of the collection cup?

I have a Lifereef and I think it would be considered a 36 as ythat is the height to the top of the collection cup, but it is about 30 to the top of the chamber.

Best damned skimmer I have ever owned!!!!!!!!!!

Total height of the skimmer. Approximately.

 

[RingingEars]

24/7

 

[alwmh4]

Always have it running. Its the heart of your filtration plus it adds oxygen to your water and this helping with ph

 

[jeffp1]

Only time mine isnt running is when i use epoxy to glue corals to the rock. Makes it go crazy for several hours.

 

[oblio]

24/7 turned down a bit when I add frags (crazy glue epoxy effect) Why would you NOT run it?