Jun 27, 2018
Ryan Sanford
wrote
I purchased the Elite 220 INT for my 240 with a 50 gallon sump which I plan on having heavily stocked with fish eventually. Currently I feel that the skimmer is skimming too efficiently as no amount of over feeding brings any noticeable amounts of nitrates or phosphates. In an effort to allow some nutrients to stay in the tank, can I modify the pump level to Eco or 1 and adjust the valve in an effort to dry skim or should I only run the skimmer part time in this pursuit? Perhaps I purchased too large of a skimmer for this setup, which I hope is not the case. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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3 Answers
Jun 28, 2018
Angie Brumfield
agent
wrote
That skimmer is a little big for that size tank and the best option would be to get a skimmer more suited to your size tank. If that isn't an option I would recommend running the skimmer for one week then off the next week.
Jun 28, 2018
Ryan Sanford
wrote
Hey Angie. Thank you for your response. I’m trying to avoid having to buy another skimmer at this time. Is there any particular reason why it’s not recommended to run a skimmer part of the day in an effort to only remove some of the nutrients. Also, does adjusting the power levels have any impact on the efficiency of the skimming? I’m leaning away from running the skimmer for one week and then leaving it another off simply because it adds a chore of remembering to shut it off and on and also because the nutrients would swing from one week to the next. In case changing skimmers is he best option, What size elite skimmer would you reccomend I purchase, assuming I’d like to stay with the elite series?
Jun 28, 2018
Angie Brumfield
agent
wrote
The Elite 200INT would be perfect for your size system. If your bio load is low right now then that skimmer is definitely not going to work for you. However if you are adding fish and coral down the road then the skimmer would be fine.
You can try turning the pump down but that won't affect anything but the water level in your skimmer, you drop the water level in your skimmer then you might as well not run the skimmer. Some people like to dose nitrates to keep their nitrate levels up...that may be an option for you until you increase your bio-load.
You can try turning the pump down but that won't affect anything but the water level in your skimmer, you drop the water level in your skimmer then you might as well not run the skimmer. Some people like to dose nitrates to keep their nitrate levels up...that may be an option for you until you increase your bio-load.