Can you OVER-skim?

[briansmyth]

"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]

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]

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]

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]

No

[andresont]

Originally Posted by EmilyB

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??

LMAOL !

[Dale]

I will take the opposing view and say YES you can definately overskim. So there
To answer the question properly you have to consider the livestock being kept.
The question is relative to the proposed inhabitants of the tank. There is no "one size fits all" approach. Most people who subscribe to aggressive skimming keep SPS corals primarily. They rely on high intensity lighting for photosynthesis and want to avoid any free nutrients as a possible food source for algae (which SPS cannot defend against).
However, if you are considering a softie tank, or clams and other filter feeders, overskimming will most definately lead to starvation. Many of these organisms thrive in nutrient rich waters.
Trying to mix SPS, softies and clams/filter feeders can be a difficult and/or expensive proposition. You either have a naturally nutrient rich tank (and battle the occasional algae outbreak on SPS) or you overskim, constantly dose nutrients for the others and then just skim them right back out again.

[andresont]

Originally Posted by Dale

I will take the opposing view and say YES you can definately overskim. So there
To answer the question properly you have to consider the livestock being kept.
The question is relative to the proposed inhabitants of the tank. There is no "one size fits all" approach. Most people who subscribe to aggressive skimming keep SPS corals primarily. They rely on high intensity lighting for photosynthesis and want to avoid any free nutrients as a possible food source for algae (which SPS cannot defend against).
However, if you are considering a softie tank, or clams and other filter feeders, overskimming will most definately lead to starvation. Many of these organisms thrive in nutrient rich waters.
Trying to mix SPS, softies and clams/filter feeders can be a difficult and/or expensive proposition. You either have a naturally nutrient rich tank (and battle the occasional algae outbreak on SPS) or you overskim, constantly dose nutrients for the others and then just skim them right back out again.

I would rather over skim and target feed all my live stock including SPS and filter filders.
Mixing as mentioned above is what we (reefers) are good at
It is sooo much easier to feed than to skimm don't you agree?
Whats cost of food compare to a tank full of algae?
Well... as was wrong before so this is jmo.

[albert_dao]

Originally Posted by EmilyB

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??

Everyone, especially the SPS guys, get rid of your skimmers ASAP! By decree of Borneman, they are unecessary and, more than likely, harmful for your systems! Heed or be overtaken by low nutrients and colorful corals!

[michika]

lol