Turning off protein skimmer bad idea?

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#1
My nitrates have zero'd out and some of my corals are not growing as well as they did when my nitrates were 5-10 ppm. I run my protein skimmer 24/7 and my chaeto light is only on 4 hours a night. I was wondering if there would be any negative effects if I turn my protein skimmer off a few hours a day to help increase my nitrates? I am mainly worried that my ammonium might spike.

Thanks!
 

reefes pieces

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#6
I don't think being off for 4 hours a day would make a huge impact in either way. If the skimmer is properly rated then it can easily catch up from the time it was off.
Do you think I should slowly build up the time it is off or you think it would be fine to just start shutting it down for like 4 hours a day??
 

Delfino Delights

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#7
Hey! I wouldn't worry, just throttle it down and run it dry. Just to keep the high O2 levels stable in the aquarium. Because in certain cases changes like turning off the skimmer will be noticed by the aquarium. You already have low nutrient, you don't want to cause another fluctuation.
 
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#8
Hey! I wouldn't worry, just throttle it down and run it dry. Just to keep the high O2 levels stable in the aquarium. Because in certain cases changes like turning off the skimmer will be noticed by the aquarium. You already have low nutrient, you don't want to cause another fluctuation.
I actually just realized that if I turn my protein skimmer off completely the water level in my sump rises and eventually my salinity does too. So running it dry sounds like a good idea actually lol
 

reefes pieces

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#9
Do you have an Automatic Top Off? If so the ATO will make up for it after the skimmer turns back on. Either way the salinity swing (if any) will hardly be any different.
I actually just realized that if I turn my protein skimmer off completely the water level in my sump rises and eventually my salinity does too. So running it dry sounds like a good idea actually lol
 

Dave57

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#10
I would personally add more fish or feed more times per day. Turning off the skimmer can cause other variables to fluctuate
 
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#14
i'd be concerned about the motor on and off on the pump if is not a DC pump. Someone explained to me each time you turn a motor on it causes stress. I might be wrong, but I think feeding more and or more fish might be safer.
 

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