Running your skimmer intermittently

[ecam]

However, good skimmers run on a continuous basis can effectively strip large quantities of dissolved organic matter out of the water. That’s organic matter that corals can utilize for growth. I have become an advocate of “frequent” skimming (like, a few days a week, or perhaps daily at night, to help remove CO2 and moderate day/night pH swings), as opposed to “continuous” skimming. (Unique Corals, 01/24/2014)

I just read this statement on Reef2Reef regarding SPS care. It makes a lot of sense. What to get opinions from you guys here regarding "Frequent Skimming"


Here is the article
http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/unique-corals/146862-quick-look-feeding-sps-what-they-need-how-give-them.html

 

[Juano908]

I have my skimmer plugged to a timer, it goes on when the DT lights goes off and turns off when the DT lights goes on.

 

[horseplay]

Juan - it seems you got it reversed. You want it to skim during the day. And not skim during the night when the corals are in feeding 'mode'

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[ahvrivera]

Makes sense. But wouldnt you want it to run during the day since sps generally feed at night? Unless its geared more towards growth.

 

[Juano908]

Juan - it seems you got it reversed. You want it to skim during the day. And not skim during the night when the corals are in feeding 'mode'

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The only reason I'm doing this is because right now I'm running a seaclone HOB skimmer and it put too much air bubbles in the DT but soon that's going to change.

 

[ecam]

Juan - it seems you got it reversed. You want it to skim during the day. And not skim during the night when the corals are in feeding 'mode'

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I think its correct order. you want the DOM to accumlate during the day and then between the skimmer and the corals eating it disappears. that is how i understand it

 

[dppitone]

IMO nitrate levels indicate how much material is coming in on the front end, which is what you want to control. So if you skim continuously and Nitrates are 5, then the system is in a good place. If Nitrates head down to zero, the tank is getting too clean and skimming should be pulled back. That's why it's a good idea to test nitrates along with everything else.

Just like with everything else, it's a good idea to take actions based on testing where you can.

 

[Jonjonmolina333]

I actually skim only during the time the lights are on. I find that I get the same amount of organics if I leave it running all day and night. I currently feed phytoplankton 3 hours before lights out. I got coral snow which I wanna try out but that changes the whole idea that you are talking about. But I do not find that leaving it on during the night only and not during the day I still take out only a little. But again my nitrates are at about 0 well at least that's the API test. I have to reduce the phytoplankton because my phisphates are up around 0.13

 

[dppitone]

I've always found phyto really hard to dose correctly, and avoid an algae bloom, etc. I wish I could figure it out as baby copepods feed off it and the coral will eat the free swimming adult copepods.

 

[Jonjonmolina333]

I agree that it is hard to dose. I do it only twice a week so that there is some supplementation but honestly even then I under dose. I just feel that with my skimmer barely picking up organics, I should add a little so that the corals have something extra to eat and grow look happier. I turn it off so that it does not get cleaned out quickly. I do not get much in algae bloom except for when I add fuel to the tank.

 

[dppitone]

How much do you put in? If it's working on your end I'll give it a try.

 

[Jonjonmolina333]

I put 10 ml. Which is about two capfuls. Sunday and Wednesday I usually do water changes on Friday nights or Saturdays. I have a 75 gallon tank. Medium coral load.

 

[dppitone]

cool thx