Over skimming?

[Rob Martin]

Hi all,
I'm upgrading my skimmer this w/end.My tank capacity is 280l & the skimmer i'm buying is rated at 800lph.My tank is lightly stocked at the moment but i wanted a skimmer that would handle eventual bioload.I've read that it is possble to overskim.Can anybody tell me what the signs of overskimming are & what are the consequences?
I'm thinking of skimming only part of the day (skimmer on timer) i've also read that it's better to skim overnight as this creates better oxygenation,can anyone confirm this?
Thanks in advance.
Rob

 

[Blown 346]

I myself would skim all the time, in my book there really is no such thing as overskimming. There will always be organics,nutrients, and proteins to get rid off.
At the very least, if there arent that many proteins etc in the water the skimmer wont collect any waste. Iwould dfinitly leave the skimmer on all the time.

 

[okinawafish]

I think overskimming can sort of starve some of your filter feeder corals and mushrooms. Can anyone second that or am I totally off my rocker?

 

[BurntOutReefer]

not off your rocker.....there will be some loss of free-floating nutrients that are good for filter feeders...IMO

 

[nepuck]

I'm in the keep skimming camp; The basic idea behind a healthy reef is super clean water. Some softies will do better in mud but will still do OK in overskimmed water. While SPS in underskimmed will not do well at all.

 

[michaeldaly]

You mention that the skimmer you want to get is rated at 800l per hour, that is not the tank size the skimmer is rated for it's just the size of pump it needs

 

[Rob Martin]

The skimmer comes with it's own pump, i know some say to go for double the lph turnover the manufacturer recommends,that's why i went for one rated at 800lph.

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

You can't truly overskim, IMO. I skim 24/7 with a skimmer rated at 50% larger than my tank size -- and I have very light bioload. You CAN skim out phytoplankton and trace element additions with your skimmer, so you might consider turning it off for an hour after adding those. I don't personally, but it's not a bad idea.

 

[Rob Martin]

Thanks for your opinions guys,seems the camp is divided on this one!

 

[mg426]

I am in the 24/7 camp as far as skimming goes.

 

[Rob Martin]

Think im gonna try Alaskan Reefers idea & only turn the skimmer off while feeding filter feeders.

 

[michaeldaly]

Are you sure your skimmer is rated for your tank size. the lph rating has absalutely nothing to do with what size of tank the skimmer is deigned for

 

[Rob Martin]

Michael,not sure what you mean,can you elaborate please?

 

[michaeldaly]

A skimmer has a rating for what size tank it can skimm, as well as a rating at to what size pump it needs to run it. The lph rating would be for what pump it needs, it will have a different rating for what size tank it can skimm. My skimmer is rated for a 100g tank, but it nedds a pump able to pump 500gph to run it.

 

[anglecoral]

there is no way with hobby equipment that you could overskim your tank. i wouldn't waste any more time thinking about it : )

 

[Rob Martin]

Thanks for your input guys.

 

[fishaholic911]

I run skimmer 24/7 also

 

[michaeldaly]

With certain downdraft skimmers it is actually possible to over skimm

 

[nepuck]

are there any studies showing effects of skimming (other than anecdotal)?

 

[toothman]

I dream of overskimming. You will be most happy with a high performance skimmer. The longer you keep a reef the more you will appreciate good skimming. Especially if you want to keep any sps. I would recommend a Asm, or if you want to spend a bit more a deltec or bubbleking. Try to oversize vs. undersize.
Ed