How to tell if you're overskimming?

[gobytron]

I think in general, you are better off to overskim and add trace elements if its a genuine concern for you...

You really cant overskim when it comes to waste removal, only in the removal of the trace elements and there are so may simple dosing options (including regular water changes)that I don't really think overskimming is a viable issue for most reefers.

[MitchM]

I don't see how over-skimming is possible. Skimmers can only pull out so much, after that the skimmate doesn't make it to the collection cup and you just wind up aerating the water in the skimmer tower.

That report in Advanced Aquarist said that skimmers can only remove about 30% of DOC's anyways.

Mitch

[Kronk]

Originally Posted by MitchM

I don't see how over-skimming is possible...

I agree.

[Slick Fork]

I've always been under the impression that overskimming is a real hazard, trace elements are easily replaced but I would be concerned about the microscopic life that gets removed through the skimmer

[DiverDude]

Originally Posted by Slick Fork

I've always been under the impression that overskimming is a real hazard, trace elements are easily replaced but I would be concerned about the microscopic life that gets removed through the skimmer

I'm no expert but I'd have thought that the microscopic elements would be the FIRST things to be stripped out by skimming and the heavier stuff stayed behind and would only be removed by excessive skimming....

[Zoaelite]

+1 On Slick,
There is still a large amount of research to be done on the relationship between coral feeding and coral photosynthesis (And how it pertains to coral growth/ homeostasis). As skimmers remove both bad and good substances from our water to over skim could result in removing to much of that good stuff.

If your looking for a good read on the composition of skimmate here you go:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/2/aafeature

The chemical/elemental composition of skimmate generated by an H&S 200-1260 skimmer on a 175-gallon reef tank over the course of several days or a week had some surprises. Only a minor amount of the skimmate (solid + liquid) could be attributed to organic carbon (TOC); about 29%, and most of that material was not water soluble, i.e., was not dissolved organic carbon. The majority of the recovered skimmate solid, apart from the commons ions of seawater, was CaCO3, MgCO3, and SiO2 - inorganic compounds! The origin of these species is not known with certainity, but a good case can be made that the SiO2 stems from the shells of diatoms. The CaCO3 might be derived from other planktonic microbes bearing calcium carbonate shells, or might come from calcium reactor effluent. To the extent that the solid skimmate consists of microflora, then some proportion of the insoluble organic material removed by skimming would then simply be the organic components (the "guts") of these microflora. These microflora do concentrate P, N, and C nutrients from the water column, and so their removal via skimming does constitute a means of nutrient export.

[Slick Fork]

I've never thought of the vertex as that low end. I've always been very happy with mine, especially at a third the price of the "high end" skimmer but that's another discussion...

[whatcaneyedo]

In the series that Ocean Aquatics posted they discuss this question in part 4 http://www.lafishguys.com/88-%20prot...skimmer-04.htm

[Myka]

Imo Vertex IN series would be comparable with EuroReef RS series in performance, but not build quality (where EuroReef RS takes the cake in this comparison). If only performance is taken into consideration, I would put both EuroReef RS and Vertex IN as mid-range quality. It is true you will pay a significantly higher price for a high-end skimmer. I have a EuroReef RS-180 on my 90, and although it does a good job I wouldn't go exclaiming its brilliance.

One thing many people don't consider when choosing a skimmer is the volume the manufacturer suggests for the skimmer is usually anything from a bit to a lot optimistic. The reefer's expectations also play a role in what the skimmer is capable of. For example, if someone is replacing their Remora with a Vertex IN he is going to think the Vertex is the cat's meow, but take someone who is replacing their Bubble King with a Vertex IN and he may be disappointed. In the end, it is all relative, but that's beyond the focus of your question (I think?), and in relation to the question I really don't think you have anything to worry about.

On the other hand, in my experience, I have found that most LPS and softies do better with an under-performing skimmer or even skimmer-less setup.

--------------------------

Originally Posted by Madreefer

I paid $1300 for my Vertex. It better be high end.

Read my post closer:

Originally Posted by Myka

Imo you can't over-skim using a Vertex IN skimmer, period.

[Slick Fork]

Originally Posted by Myka

...
One thing many people don't consider when choosing a skimmer is the volume the manufacturer suggests for the skimmer is usually anything from a bit to a lot optimistic. .......

In the end, it is all relative, but that's beyond the focus of your question (I think?), and in relation to the question I really don't think you have anything to worry about.

On the other hand, in my experience, I have found that most LPS and softies do better with an under-performing skimmer or even skimmer-less setup.

--------------------------

+1 On Slick,
There is still a large amount of research to be done on the relationship between coral feeding and coral photosynthesis (And how it pertains to coral growth/ homeostasis). As skimmers remove both bad and good substances from our water to over skim could result in removing to much of that good stuff.

If your looking for a good read on the composition of skimmate here you go:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/2/aafeature

This is turning into a great discussion with some really good links!!

I agree 100% that manufaturers overrate their skimmers, as they do with everything else they can slap a rating on, but you're right... it's beyond the scope that I want this discussion to follow, there's lots of threads out there discussing the ins and outs of every possible skimmer.

You noted as well, and I would take it to be commonly accepted wisdom that LPS, Softies, Clams, etc. will thrive on "dirty" water that is under skimmed, while SPS prefers "cleaner" water. Yet they can all live together in the ocean.

So the question becomes, why does an LPS wither in an environment created by super efficient skimmers? Certainly clean water can't hurt it, so I would suggest after skimming (pardon the pun) the article ZoaElite posted that skimmers are probably NOT efficient at removing the nasty stuff out of water, and in order to pull enough out to create a "nutrient poor" environment without additives they essentially strip the water column of most of the beneficial microlife that LPS and other filter feeders require. I think to an extent that this is why zeovit, prodibio, and any of these other bacteria based system work so well at allowing all types of coral to thrive... the bacteria is what's efficient at removing nutrients and the skimmer is efficient at removing micro-life. Does that make sense or am I up too late without coffee again?