Skimmer choice And Vacations

I am just getting my tank ready to go and have put some thought into getting an AquaMedics T1000 hang over.. So I can have it sit outside my sump down below.

My question is this.. How long (normally) on a non overstocked setup, should I get before I have to change the collection cup? And that being said are there any units that allow you to have the foam trickle off into an external jug or the like?

What I am getting at is vacations....

I simply want my tank to survive in it's own if I have to leave for up to 2 weeks. I can have someone check on things but I would feel good knowing that I have some what of a safe zone.

Any ideas?

 

The collection cup is cleaned as it fills up and differs from user to user. Some may clean the cup every couple of days, others may clean it every couple of weeks. Are you setting up the skimmer for "wet" skimming or "dry"? The wetter the setup the quicker the cup fills up.

Yes, there are skimmers that have little spouts to enable to attach a small hose for drainage. Check out the Coralife 220. I'm sure other manufacturers have this as well. If you are pretty good with tools you can DIY (do it yourself).

If you have just started your tank you may not need a skimmer just yet as there is really not much to skim.