Skimmer Broken

[STLTim]

Like the title says, my protein skimmer has broken (after several years). Currently I just don't have the cash for a new one and would like to invest in a reef octopus.

Anyway, to continue proper export, how many water changes should I do per week to supplement until I get a new skimmer? I currently do one @ 5 gal per week.

System:

- 93g DT
- 20T sump (holding about 15g water)
- BRS GFO reactor.
- Some off brand carbon reactor (I run only when water gets a little cloudy).

Params:
SG: 1.025
pH: 8
NH3: 0
NO2: 0
NO3: 5
dKH: 10
PO4: 0

reef age: 2y 5mo

 

[Mr D smack]

Hopefully rams will chime in. He has a 93 and no skimmer. From what I know he changes water once a month.

 

[rams]

I have the same setup with the exception of a 40gallon frag tank plumbed in. I haven't done a water change in a couple months. Frag tank has a lot of algae which does a wonder for filtering. Along with the sump stacked full of live rock, bare bottom. I don't believe in skimmers except for oxygenating the water column. I don't have a lot of fish though. Three tangs, two damsels, a wrasse and a PITA Midas Blenny. All mature fish.

 

[Nanook]

I don't think you need to worry is what Rams was trying to say in his short book there

 

[Schplitter]

Which skimmer do you run? I have an pump for a reef octopus SSS3000. May fit other skimmer too...

 

[kegogut]

What broke on the skimmer? Pump?

 

[STLTim]

I have the same setup with the exception of a 40gallon frag tank plumbed in. I haven't done a water change in a couple months. Frag tank has a lot of algae which does a wonder for filtering. Along with the sump stacked full of live rock, bare bottom. I don't believe in skimmers except for oxygenating the water column. I don't have a lot of fish though. Three tangs, two damsels, a wrasse and a PITA Midas Blenny. All mature fish.

Yeah I have less fish than that. mated clown pair, pj cardinal, and yellow tang. all are happy. I do have a nice light coating of algae on the rocks that has formed. Which may be contributing to the 0 p04 readings. I'm hoping it'll melt away with some fresh GFO and the 2 turbo snails I got from corals n more.

I'm thinking of getting some new rocks and putting the hairy ones in the sump to start some makeshift fuge without sand. I'll need to re-do the baffles in the sump though... ugh.

Which skimmer do you run? I have an pump for a reef octopus SSS3000. May fit other skimmer too...

It's a Coralife Super Skimmer 250 (a model from like 8-10 years ago). It would need to be that needle wheel crap. also, this thing is so sensitive i'd be afraid of putting a more powerful pump in there. Appreciate the offer anyway.

What broke on the skimmer? Pump?

So, what isn't broken? 1, the diffuser on this thing has been all jacked up forever. I had some Frankenstein getup going which kept the bubbles from freaking out too bad but I think it finally bit the dust. Next, the level adjustments stopped working and it kept overflowing as soon as i turned it on. Cleaned the whole thing out, that kept it happy for a little while. Then suddenly the pump was making loud noises and barely chugging.

after years and years of tinkering with this thing I've finally had it. I ripped it out. (almost literally).