water changes using your skimmer

[compuatic]

I was thinking the other day, why not dial in the skimmer very wet and run the cup emptying tube straight to a bucket and use that for water changes? you won't be pulling out heavy thick skimate but technically the nastier water. The skimmer would have to be set to constantly pull out a slow trickle and just replenish with new salt water. I'm trying this for the first time today and have set the skimmer to full a 5gal jug in about half an hour. when you're done with the water change just set the skimmer back to the normal settings.

 

[Sk8r]

Just do keep a careful eye on it! It's not a bad idea, actually quite a good one, and I'm intrigued, but boy, the possibilities for disaster are huge if you get a household emergency or phonecall distracting you from the operation---"Excuse me, love-of-my-life, I have a skimmer about to overflow its bucket..."

 

[syrinx]

been doing it for the last 20 years or so- I feel it is the way to go as long as you have time.

 

[compuatic]

absolutely, I think thats the only downside. You really have to baby sit it so it's only suitable when you know you'll be hanging out at home for a while.

 

[compuatic]

I just filled the second 5 gal jug (i'm doing a 15gal water change) and the water is definitely some urine looking milky stuff, then in goes the fresh saltwater mix. Seems to be a lot more efficient than straight typical water changes.

 

[dixiedog]

I tried that once, and then tested the nitrates in the bucket of water the skimmer had produced. They were indistinguishable from the level in the tank. (near zero)

Why don't you try the same test, and let us know if your results were different??

 

[troyman]

its going through the skimmer to fast to be doing thing but adding bubbles but have fun anyways

 

[Mike321]

There is a sticky about this method in the advanced topics section that probably has some good info.

 

[albano]

its going through the skimmer to fast to be doing thing but adding bubbles but have fun anyways

+1...I think he's right!
There was a thread about this several months ago. I tried it, but you would have to run it wet, but not so fast, that it's just 'foam'.