Can you OVER-skim?

X-Treme · #1 03-11-2007, 04:39 PM

Is there such thing as OVER-skimming a tank? I have a 35ish gallon custom with 2 sieo 820's on restricted flow and looking to add a Remora Pro. Want to keep LPS, SPS, softies, clam(s).....basically anything that might catch my eye. Opinions?

albert_dao · #2 03-11-2007, 05:07 PM

Nope.

Chin_Lee · #3 03-11-2007, 05:31 PM

there is a variety of opinions out there but my opinion is unless you can make your water as clean as NSW, my answer is also nope because our livestock to water ratio in our closed system is incredibly high compared to that of the ocean's. Therefore dissolved organics wastes will always be significantly higher in our closed aquariums.

KrazyKuch · #4 03-11-2007, 10:46 PM

I say no aswell......cause bascially you can't over skim, cause if their is no dissolved orangic waste in the water then your skimmer won't pull anything out!!

Reefer Rob · #5 03-12-2007, 01:55 AM

KrazyKuch hit it on the head. Skim big! You'll be glad you did. (a remora pro isn't over skimming)

briansmyth · #6 03-12-2007, 02:37 AM

"any skimming over that required to maintain low levels of organic and inorganic pollutants is overskimming. Why? Because if the water is cleared of those things that are detrimental, it is also likely to be equally cleared of things that are beneficial."

Just finished reading about this recently, so have the link close at hand - hope this adds to all our total knowledge. Eric Borneman actually suggests shutting off your skimmer for part of the day!

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-01/eb/index.php

Reefer Rob · #7 03-12-2007, 02:57 AM

Borneman often speaks "theoretically" in his articles. I have never read about, or seen any any tanks suffering from "overskimming". On the contrary, there are many beautiful tanks that "overskim" and even employ 2 skimmers! Corals in the wild live in very nutrient poor water.

andresont · #8 03-12-2007, 03:23 AM

I would buy the biggest skimmer your set up can take. For me also a quietness and power consaption is a big factor. I like Tunze skimmers 230 and bigger one 240 very nice and quiet, the only drawback is you need a sump with constant water level.
I have never seen, talked or herd of anybody who would say : "yea i need a smoller skimmer"

Look under the display cabinet of you LFS and see what they have there...
J&L has skimmer rated 10 times their tank volume.

EmilyB · #9 03-12-2007, 05:24 AM

I could be wrong but from what I remember of hearing Borneman in Seattle, he never ran a skimmer....so how would he know anyway??

Tarolisol · #10 03-12-2007, 05:38 AM

No