DOTW - Skimming - Page 3

Witfull · 05-12-2004, 05:33 PM

some claim that skimming will strip a tank of vital trace elements...thoughts.... concerns....

BoomerD · 05-12-2004, 05:35 PM

Quote:

some claim that skimming will strip a tank of vital trace elements...thoughts.... concerns....

I think that if you do your water changes regularly, this should not be a concern...

jks1 · 05-12-2004, 06:24 PM

I agree with Boomer, with regular water changes with a quality salt trace elements will be replaced. Can we work skimmer maint into this thread? Maint will definately improve the performance of a skimmer. I clean the collection cup and auto-whaste container of mine every ~ 2 days, (that was for you RA!) and clean the skimmer column ~ once a week- or more if I think it needs it. I can always see the performance difference after a good cleaning.

Reef Geek · 05-13-2004, 05:47 AM

Wow John, that seems like a pretty frequent (and busy) cleaning schedule. I am not saying it is good or bad but except for dumping out the skimate I have not cleaned my skimmer for at least 5 or 6 months.

And I agree, with bi-weekly 15%-20% water changes plenty of trace elements are reintroduced into the system.

And I also agree that our tanks cannot be over-skimmed. "The solution to pollution is dillution" But inbetween dillutions there is nothing like a good skimmer.

Hey Dave, don't let the old man get on you too bad. One day we will also have the good fortune of retiring, and doing nothing but sitting here nit-picking everyone's posts.

wooddood · 05-13-2004, 09:21 AM

i have to agree with john, maintainence people maintainence.

BigReepher · 05-13-2004, 10:06 AM

I've been skimmerless for a year with no problems. Consequently, I've also kept my bioload low. I wouldn't have a high bioload without a skimmer. I'm a fan of the recirculating skimmers, the idealology behind them is that some of the water in the contact chamber gets skimmed multiple times, thus yielding a cleaner water. They basically increase bubble to DOC contact time in a smaller package. You don't see many here in the states, but they are common in Europe.

Curtswearing · 05-13-2004, 04:12 PM

BigReefer.

Like your recirculating skimmer post where the same water is skimmed multiple times, I know of someone who has compartmentalized his sump. He uses a powerhead and tubing to take a portion of the water that was just skimmed from a later compartment to send it back to the protein skimmer compartment to be skimmed again. That way a portion of the water that might have been stripped of (made up numbers here BTW) 25% of it's DOC's gets sent back to the skimmer for another processing instead of mixing with the water in the display tank. Maybe now the second time through, it has been stripped of 40% of nutrients. Lather....rinse.....repeat.

Can anyone see any benefit or problem with this setup?

Scooterman · 05-13-2004, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reef Geek
"The solution to pollution is dillution"

I you remove the polution before it becomes a problem, dillution isn't necessary the answer.

HAP · 05-13-2004, 11:16 PM

IMO skimming is essential for a confined system in order to remove the bio load. The greeen nasty crap my Turbo Flotor pulls out every 2-3 days is a positive indication that without skimming the fish would be swiming in s**t before too long.

Besides, nature herself skims the oceans through the turbulent action of waves against the shore. You know its not nice to fool Mother Nature....

middletonmark · 05-14-2004, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Scooterman
I you remove the polution before it becomes a problem, dillution isn't necessary the answer.

Yeah, that is a great catchy phrase ... but the solution to pollution truly is never letting the stuff get in there. Or quick removal.

And somehow `a good tool to minimize pollution, is dilution' just doesn't have the same ring

Scooterman · 05-14-2004, 09:08 AM

LOL, I guess not!

Repeated skimming, is it worth it? Well in my 30g sump, I have the skimmed water returning back up-hill so I'd imagine a part of it is getting Re-skimmed. Skimming twice to me (MY Opinion, no facts here) isn't that necessary or important when you look at the overall system and what is being removed. Instead a more efficient skimmer would be preferred or even a micron sock filter, that is swapped out every few days would be very beneficial, but at the end it all breaks down to husbandry, if you don't do it, you will eventually have problems on some level.

wooddood · 05-14-2004, 09:47 AM

amen scott amen brother.

Witfull · 05-14-2004, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by middletonmark
Yeah, that is a great catchy phrase ... but the solution to pollution truly is never letting the stuff get in there. Or quick removal.

And somehow `a good tool to minimize pollution, is dilution' just doesn't have the same ring

removal approval

Montanareefer · 05-14-2004, 10:01 PM

water flow is the key. Get it up , get it circulated and get it out asap.

And a great skimmer to do the rest.

Curtswearing · 06-29-2004, 11:02 AM

Any other thoughts on this issue?

05-12-2004, 06:24 PM	#33 (permalink)
jks1 Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 876 View Gallery Karma Komment	I agree with Boomer, with regular water changes with a quality salt trace elements will be replaced. Can we work skimmer maint into this thread? Maint will definately improve the performance of a skimmer. I clean the collection cup and auto-whaste container of mine every ~ 2 days, (that was for you RA!) and clean the skimmer column ~ once a week- or more if I think it needs it. I can always see the performance difference after a good cleaning. __________________ John Tank: 29g glass Pumps: Mag5.0 return - (3) rio 100 PHs Lighting: (1) 150w XM 10K/(2) 30W actinics Equipment: Aqua C Urchin skimmer- CPR Fuge, Titanium Heater -Red Sea wavemaster Pro Tank: 210g 1/2" Acrylic, dual overflows, 75g glass sump w/ 20g fuge. Pumps: Mag24 return - (2) MAG24s running 2 closed loop systems. Lighting: (3) 400w XM 10K/(2) Custom Sealife 96w PC - 25w dimmable incandescent Moonlight Equipment: Aqua C EV180 skimmer - CR500 calc reactor - Titanium Heater - AquaLogic single Stage Temp Controller - Aquanetics 1/5Hp Chiller - Neptune sys aquacontroller

05-13-2004, 05:47 AM	#34 (permalink)
Reef Geek Reefus Geekus Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fountain, CO Posts: 325 View Gallery Karma Komment	Wow John, that seems like a pretty frequent (and busy) cleaning schedule. I am not saying it is good or bad but except for dumping out the skimate I have not cleaned my skimmer for at least 5 or 6 months. And I agree, with bi-weekly 15%-20% water changes plenty of trace elements are reintroduced into the system. And I also agree that our tanks cannot be over-skimmed. "The solution to pollution is dillution" But inbetween dillutions there is nothing like a good skimmer. Hey Dave, don't let the old man get on you too bad. One day we will also have the good fortune of retiring, and doing nothing but sitting here nit-picking everyone's posts. __________________ Justin Stealth Reefer

05-13-2004, 09:21 AM	#35 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CARMEL. INDIANA Posts: 3,450 View Gallery Karma Komment	i have to agree with john, maintainence people maintainence. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

05-13-2004, 10:06 AM	#36 (permalink)
BigReepher Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 474 View Gallery Karma Komment	I've been skimmerless for a year with no problems. Consequently, I've also kept my bioload low. I wouldn't have a high bioload without a skimmer. I'm a fan of the recirculating skimmers, the idealology behind them is that some of the water in the contact chamber gets skimmed multiple times, thus yielding a cleaner water. They basically increase bubble to DOC contact time in a smaller package. You don't see many here in the states, but they are common in Europe. __________________ I'm not a doctor but I'll take a look.

05-13-2004, 04:12 PM	#37 (permalink)
Curtswearing Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 2,596 View Gallery Karma Komment	BigReefer. Like your recirculating skimmer post where the same water is skimmed multiple times, I know of someone who has compartmentalized his sump. He uses a powerhead and tubing to take a portion of the water that was just skimmed from a later compartment to send it back to the protein skimmer compartment to be skimmed again. That way a portion of the water that might have been stripped of (made up numbers here BTW) 25% of it's DOC's gets sent back to the skimmer for another processing instead of mixing with the water in the display tank. Maybe now the second time through, it has been stripped of 40% of nutrients. Lather....rinse.....repeat. Can anyone see any benefit or problem with this setup? __________________ In memory of Fluffy, please pause before hitting enter---being nice is free. Click for ReefKeeping FAQ'S Click for Product Reviews Click for Photo ID Gallery http://curtcpapfs.com/downloads/1Curt.jpg

05-13-2004, 11:16 PM	#39 (permalink)
HAP Star Polyps Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lewisville, TX...but my heart is in Chicago! Posts: 151 View Gallery Karma Komment	IMO skimming is essential for a confined system in order to remove the bio load. The greeen nasty crap my Turbo Flotor pulls out every 2-3 days is a positive indication that without skimming the fish would be swiming in s**t before too long. Besides, nature herself skims the oceans through the turbulent action of waves against the shore. You know its not nice to fool Mother Nature.... __________________ Definition: Aquarium (n) A hole in your living room in which you throw money. [And I thought this would be cheaper than going to Aruba to dive - Yeah! Right!!] Oceanic 75g Reef Ready, DIY stand and canopy, 50g sump/refugium with 125lbs+ Fiji live rock, Turboflotor Multi Skimmer, 2 – 250w Metal Halides running Ushio 10k lamps, 110w Actinic, DIY moonlight, several corals (mostly softies but a few SPS and LPS as well), a bi-color blenny (Benny), a yellow Tang (Jet), 2 percula clowns (Frick & Frack), a blue spotted jawfish (Spot), a red-lipped blenny (Red), a dragon goby (Puff), a psychedelic mandarin (Mandy), a diamond sifter (Jewel), a green bta, a rose bta, a couple serpent stars, a coral banded shrimp and several crabs and snails who will remain anonymous...

05-14-2004, 09:08 AM	#41 (permalink)
Scooterman Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana Posts: 1,184 View Gallery Karma Komment	LOL, I guess not! Repeated skimming, is it worth it? Well in my 30g sump, I have the skimmed water returning back up-hill so I'd imagine a part of it is getting Re-skimmed. Skimming twice to me (MY Opinion, no facts here) isn't that necessary or important when you look at the overall system and what is being removed. Instead a more efficient skimmer would be preferred or even a micron sock filter, that is swapped out every few days would be very beneficial, but at the end it all breaks down to husbandry, if you don't do it, you will eventually have problems on some level. __________________ Scott Ardoin (Ard-Dwan)

05-14-2004, 09:47 AM	#42 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CARMEL. INDIANA Posts: 3,450 View Gallery Karma Komment	amen scott amen brother. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

05-14-2004, 10:01 PM	#44 (permalink)
Montanareefer Has been struck by the ban stick Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,334 View Gallery Karma Komment	water flow is the key. Get it up , get it circulated and get it out asap. And a great skimmer to do the rest.

06-29-2004, 11:02 AM	#45 (permalink)
Curtswearing Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 2,596 View Gallery Karma Komment	Any other thoughts on this issue? __________________ In memory of Fluffy, please pause before hitting enter---being nice is free. Click for ReefKeeping FAQ'S Click for Product Reviews Click for Photo ID Gallery http://curtcpapfs.com/downloads/1Curt.jpg

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