consequences of overskimming?
 

I curreently have a 77 G mixed reef with a moderate bioload. I am setting up a sump and NEED to replace my Cough seaclone Cough. I plan to set up a 200-250 gal reef within the next 2 years and I want to buy a skimmer that will be able to handle the larger system now. My question is what problems, if any, will I have in my 77? I am looking at the ASM G4 :eek: mmmmmmmm big skimmer :mrgreen:
Thanks,
Dano

they are a excellent skimmer from what i have read and heard.


start adding a refuguim to the system like around 60 -80 gal and a bigger sump. There you will be skimmer close to what you are going to have .

mike

Very interesting question. IMO, over skimming is not easily attainable in a close system with mix corals, fish, inverts, rocks, etc. As there are countless of living organisms that constantly produce and release organics into the water. In addition to that, feeding, water changes, and chemical additives can contribute to the excess proteins. But back to the original question, if overskimmer was the case, coral growth and color would be affected. I think growth rate would decrease, color would intensify slightly. Would like to see what people think about his issue.

Well people alays say you cant over skim, Yet its all goign to depend on the amount you feed, the bio load in the tank.

If you are feeding 3-4 times a day live and dry food that will a have a big impact on your daily nutrients in the tank.

But yet people will feed like crazy, but have refugiums to back up the main display tank I'm in the right direction I hope. I look at the gunk in the collection cup after one week of the skimmer is kicking out and man it stinks.

I think if you have softies that they need the plankton from the water to live and feed off of IMO. When you look at the SPS world with huge amounts of turn over of the water, you need to take out the excess nutrients in the tank. DOnt get me wrong no body wants extra nutrients in their tank. Bottom line i dont think you can over skim .....

mike

I don't believe in overskimming either. I basically run a DIY version of this skimmer http://www.precisionmarine.com/html/xl.html rated for 500G on my 50G tank :eek:

Mind you I am a barebottom SPS only tank, so I'd like my water as clean as possible. It would be interesting to see how other types of corals react though.

Newguy,
Do you find you need to suppliment more..ie Ca etc

Hi,

I have a Kalk and Calcium reactor set up, so I really can't tell if I need to add more or less. I just add Kalk to my reactor every 2 - 3 weeks (3 heaping teaspoons) and that's about it.

IMO you won't be overskimming that much with a G4. They overate their skimmers. It is only about the same size as a euro-reef CS8-2, which is rated for 155 Gallons. As mentioned already, many people use big skimmers on smaller tanks, I think the only draw back is you might have is a nice tank! :smile:

As a note, I am planning on getting a G4X for the 155G I am setting up. The guy I am buying it from runs a G5 on his 90G SPS tank. If I had money to blow I'd like to get the G6! Nothing like a 4 foot needle wheel skimmer :eek:

If you worried about over skimming then dont' run it all the time...turn it of at night of something of that sort......I don't believe in over skimming!!!!

I say go for it. If you don't like it, you can always return what you think is too much skimmate back into the tank. :rolleyes: :biggrin: