Part Time Skimming? 180l Tank

[Fingers68]

Hi

I have a new tank http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=272870&hl=

I got my skimmer setup Deltec MCE 300 three days ago and it has extracted about half a cup of brown water. It now seems to have done its job and is struggling to froth unless I have the setting so it then pushes loads of bubbles into the tank. I might be wrong but to me it seems there is no need to have it on, so I am thinking of just running it part time 16 hours a day on a timer.

I only have four fish at the mo, is this a good idea?

 

[ben1987]

I would leave it on all the time.

As your fish grow and you add more stock then it will start to come into its own. Also it probably hasnt had the chance to properly be fine tuned and bed down in the three days you have it. Chances are you would have to re-set it everyday using it on timer too

 

[BigC]

Leave the skimmer on 24/7 M8 that is exactly what skimmers do, one inute they look like nothing is being collected but rest assured it is.
Regards
BigC

 

[SkiFletch]

Yup, skimmers operate in that "erratic" manner sometimes. It all has to do with the concentration of various types of lipids and other organics. If you stick your hand in your tank, in a few minutes the oils from your skin will "disable" the skimmer until it manages to remove your skin oils from the water. Once it does it'll be back to normal. Certain foods or suppliments can also cause skimmers to either seem like they're not skimming at all (briefly) or skim like crazy.

24/7 is best, you never know when something is going to spawn in your tnak