what is meant by "running a skimmer dry" please?

[Sean Smith]

My LFS guru has been telling me how it is preferable to "run a skimmer dry". For this reason he recommends getting a unit that has two pumps - so that the flow rate can be reduced without having to reduce the bubble production.

I grasp the principle... but does anyone concur>?

[fishfreek]

Running a skimmer "DRY" involves having the skim that is collected into the cup to be AS thick/dry as possible. The more liquid in the skimmer cup the less efficent the skimmer is in only removing DOC's.

[ksfireman]

I screwed up when I got my skimmer and got a Prizm. It does work...just not very good (Big suprise, I know) My question is this...is there any way to get it to produce more dry skimmate instead of the tea colored looking water that it has been pulling out? I have gotten the water reduced quite a bit and now have a lot of foam in the collection cup, but none of the think, coffee colored junk that I would love to see.

Thanks for the help,

Bradd

[Mike O'Brien]

The trend is moving towards wet skimming these days. The idea is, high in tank circulation, and a wet run skimmer. This way more particulates and detritus make it to the skimmer, and the wet running skimmer can remove them. Running dry you just cant skim as many particulates. Thing is not all skimmers can run this way, dont bother trying with the prizm, just keep the water just below the o-ring. Also with that model you need to keep your water level constant with an auto topoff system, that makes a huge difference. For any skimmer for that matter.

[Glimmerman]

Yes, water level consistency is very important. I had someone look after my tank, and they filled my tank 1.5 inches above where I keep it, my skimmer went nutz, filled with tea colored water in a single day, and proceeded to spill the rest on the floor until I came home the next day. Can't wait to complete my auto top off system soon.

I run my skimmer medium wet/dry, but you don't have much choice with a prizm, if your prizm is working at all, don't touch it!

[ksfireman]

The thing with the Prizm is it is either set to run really slow and get a good amount of foam or pretty fast and get the tea colored water. I am not too sure which would be best at this point and time. Any ideas or suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks,
Bradd

[Glimmerman]

How often do you like emptying the collection cup? :)

I hate emptying mine, stinks and is messy, so if you are like me, maybe run a bit dryer and empty it less . :)

[Irisservice]

I run my Remora Pro wet... I find it does a good job this way. I empty mine every other day. When i go away i switch my colection cup out for one that has a drain fitting and make it goto a coke bottle.

[Glimmerman]

I was thinking of doing the exactl same thing to my remora pro!

What fitting did you use exactly? I was just going to drill a hole and silicone in an airline, but yours looks much more professional which I like.

[Silence]

good Idea!