Does anyone run skimmer on timer?
- Thread starter Jhuneke
- Start date
Let me start this with: "IMO"
A skimmer when turned on takes 30-120+ minutes to build a good foam and begin skimming properly. If the skimmer is turned on and off lets say 12/12 then the 12 on it woulkd actually only be skimming about 10 hours or so. Additionally skimmers build a slime coat on the inside which allows the bubbles to flow easily through it instead of bursting. When a skimmer is off this dries/dies.
With the on/off method you are essentially breaking in your skimmer every day, I don't personally recommend it and notice a massive difference when it is run in that manor.
hope this helps, just IMO and from research I have done in the past
(All the shop and personal skimmers run 24/7 here)
A skimmer when turned on takes 30-120+ minutes to build a good foam and begin skimming properly. If the skimmer is turned on and off lets say 12/12 then the 12 on it woulkd actually only be skimming about 10 hours or so. Additionally skimmers build a slime coat on the inside which allows the bubbles to flow easily through it instead of bursting. When a skimmer is off this dries/dies.
With the on/off method you are essentially breaking in your skimmer every day, I don't personally recommend it and notice a massive difference when it is run in that manor.
hope this helps, just IMO and from research I have done in the past
(All the shop and personal skimmers run 24/7 here)
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You might be better served with a hob skimmer where the pump is outside the tank.
I agree with Ellis for the most part... but I don't think it will lose the slime coat that quickly and would most likely only take :30 minutes or so to build a good foam head. Give it a shot just stay up late a couple nights and observe it and the tanks temp...
I agree with Ellis for the most part... but I don't think it will lose the slime coat that quickly and would most likely only take :30 minutes or so to build a good foam head. Give it a shot just stay up late a couple nights and observe it and the tanks temp...
Thanks guys.. Kinda what I was afraid of. I know my big ones takes a while and some adjusting when it's been turned off. Bummer :/ $300 worth of equip rendered useless .. At least in the summer months. Maybe I'll give it a shot.. Before I just remove skimmer altogether .. Will lyk how it goes. Thanks for input, as always 
