Is it ok to run a skimmer on a timer?

[Steevo]

I have my tank directly next to my bed and would like to shut it off for 8 hours when I'm sleeping. Is this practical? Will my tank parameters change overnight without it skimming and will this be detrimental too my tank?
Thanks for any advice!

 

[Steevo]

OK, does anybody know of any quiet venturi driven skimmers?

 

[Emperator]

I don't see why you shouldn't. I run skimmerless on my 40g 4-5 days out of the month and see no ill effects.

 

[todd22]

Actually I would not recommend this. Yes, it seems it would work fine and I have thought about doing this myself, but what if the prop gets stuck from algae or debris during its time out? I know I have had trouble starting a pump that has been idled many times before. I figure this could ruin the pump if it is plugged and unplugged over and over. It might do fine for 10-200 turn ons, but what about the one time it gets stuck and ruins the motor. Any other suggestions/experiences to oppose this theory?

 

[Roach]

I had a prizm pendent for awhile on my 40 gallon and sometimes when it had been off for awhile it would need to be primed again or there would be no water flow. Don't know what kind of skimmer you have exactly but it may be a problem.

 

[LINK]

This should be fine as long as you have a quality pump, and one of the following two scenarios is true. Either you have a skimmer which could be considered overkill, or you want to underskim a little. I use a skimmer rated for a 350 gallon system on my 180. I run it for 12 hours a day. This has worked fine for me. HTH

 

[djh]

I have a EURO-REEF on a 110 and I turn mine off for days at a time. My skimmer raises my PH due to air exchange. I think I have too much skimmer. Its rated for 250 +.

 

[bashcraft]

"what if the prop gets stuck from algae or debris during its time out?"

This won't happen if you regularly clean your pump.

BTW, it's an impeller, not a prop...

Bob

 

[Steevo]

Hey guys, thanks for the help! You never know, waking up to the sound of cascading air bubbles could be soothing,......... aaahhhhhhhhh.

 

[suckair]

If the system is stable and aged you can slowly remove the skimmer totaly.

None of my systems are activly skimmed but were all skimmed at start up.

Randall

 

[murrayjim]

I agree you can go without but if you decide not to, give Lifereef a try. I was really surprised at how quiet their venturi skimmers are.

 

[Steevo]

Who carries Lifereef. Are they any good? Thanks.

 

[JohnD]

Steveo -

Go for it and get a good night's sleep. As was previously posted, make sure you have a good pump. Set your timer for when you get up. That way you can always look over and see if everything is running right. Of course it could also double as a back-up alarm clock!!