Does anyone run the skimmer "part-time"?

[Armando]

I've seen a discussion about this before. Someone said it could damage the pump, but I am not sure if I buy it.

Any thoughts? Experiences? I am willing to try. Run the skimmer only 6 hours a day. Maybe 2 hours a day.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

Not me, I have read that it will not perform as well. But no facts

 

[wrassefan]

I think it takes a bit to build up the foam in the skimming process. The dialing in alone takes about a day to stablize. If you shut it off and on daily, I doubt the really thick foam can be achieved.

 

[Armando]

Then what I could do is shut down the skimmer for 3 days after I do the water change. Then turn it on for the next 4 days. Weekly water change. Repeat the process. This seems to be a good idea.

 

[SMS76]

I only turn it on when my lights are on which are roughtly 6 to 7 hours. SO far tank has no bad effect.
Things i notice after this switching as:
1) Less watery foam and overall foam
2) Much thicker foam
3) Takes two to three weeks to fill the whole cup

So far coral looks good and healthy.

 

[SMS76]

And yes it's a 75G tank and i have CS6-1 protein skimmer

 

[Aquaman_68]

sms76

Do you have an orp meter running on your system? If you don't see ill effects from just sight.......... when you finally do ,it will take a long while to cure them. I don't suggest it.