running skimmer part time?

I've read a few times about people only running their skimmer part time. Some do it for x hrs every day, other run it on certain days of the week. What do you guys think of this?

I currently have the skimmer for my 40b running on my 20g and it stopped working in about a day and a half, I'm assuming because it ran out of stuff to skim. Some of my softies seemed unhappy, so I unplugged it thinking the water was too clean for them. Eventually I would like some sps. Is there a good way to balance this out? Is the above idea feasible?

 

I mean you could do that, but I dont see why you would. What if you forgot to turn it on for a few days and your parameters got out of wack?

I also have a 40B and run an oversized skimmer 24x7. I wouldnt say it ever really stops skimming. just sometimes it doesnt collect much, or it might go for 3 weeks to a month before needing to be emptied.

 

Honestly, there's no way I wouldn't run my skimmer 24/7. There's one thing we do NOT want in our systems and those are doc's. no matter what kind of system you run, doc's are bad. Not running your skimmer is giving them the opportunity to build up in your tank. You don't want that.

 

and your corals are alright? like I said mine started to look a little unhealthy. I just dont want to hurt them

 

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. always better to ask

 

IF you were to run your skimmer part-time it would also create undue stress on your livestock on your parameters might fluctuate more.

 

The only thing turning your skimmer off will do, is let more food available for your corals, i can't find the link now, but i read in a study that skimmers only take about 30% of what they are suppose to take, is not like you'll let your skimmer off for days, but it will not make any harm to your system either.

Mine turns off for 4 hours when i feed my corals, and since i start doing corals growth faster and haven't had any side effect.

There a lot of people out there that run tanks completely skimmerless an have great success.

If you want to try, put then on a timer for a few weeks and see what happen.

Edit: Found it http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/1/aafeature

 

My corals are fine, I do shut it down for cleanings and feedings. Just 2 days ago my skimmer started acting funny and overflowing so i left it off for two days thinking it was just something in the water. During that time my tank did fine, but it didnt look as clean.

I took it apart and cleaned it, some gunk in the needle wheel was the issue.

 

I agree with others in that I don't see a reason to run a skimmer part-time. It does make sense to turn off for coral feedings and I know I've been running Bacter and it says to leave the skimmer off for 4 hours but then I turn it right back on....