Skimmer

[Boro]

Do you have to keep a protein skimmer running all the time?

Regards

 

[kj23502]

Hi, I'm new to this, but I can give you a general answer... I think

Some people actually run skimmer-less. But I believe they usually have the tank lighter stocked and perform frequent water changes(maybe every week).

So I don't believe you have to have one running all the time, but it depends on your setup and the bio-load, as it's much better to get some of the the junk out of your water before it breaks down. Since nitrates are harder on sw inverts and nitrate processing bacteria take longer to grow/reproduce it's better to prevent as much nitrates as you can

Are you familiar with the nitrifying process?

===edit
New to saltwater, not fishkeeping

 

[ox5477]

Since there is no bilogical filtration happening in a skimmer, constant water flow is not necessary. Say, if it makes too much noise at night, you could turn it off before you go to bed, but would be good to turn back on when you wake up in the morning.

Kj is right that skimmers help remove solids from the water before they begin to break down and cause waste build up so they can be helpful in removing waste before it starts going through waste cycle of your tank and keeps nitrates down

Ox

 

[kj23502]

Kj is right that skimmers help remove solids from the water before they begin to break down and cause waste build up so they can be helpful in removing waste before it starts going through waste cycle of your tank and keeps nitrates down

Ox

Yeah.... I am learning something I'm trying to absorb like a GIANT sponge

 

[ox5477]

Hopefully it will never stop either Kj. I am far from an expert or even calling myself knowledgable on all things in the fish keeping world. Most people are and thats the great thing about humans, we can learn something new everyday and never know it all.

Ox