How often should I skim?

[speakyourmind]

Hi, This is my first time using a skimmer on my 27 long so i have a few questions for everybody.

 

I bought the rio nano skimmer and its rated for a 20 gallon, but I have a 27 gallon tank, should I buy one more and run 2 of them?

 

Also Do I have to run this skimmer 24/7 or can i run it for a few hours per day (if so how many hours per day)? I only ask because it has an annoying buzzing sound to it.

 

lastly all i have in the tank is a cinnamon clown, coral beaty, and 20 snails and 5 hermits.

[thecowkid]

With a tank with that little of a bio load you will be okay to skim for a day or two each week. I usually skim the day b/f I do a water change, then the day of the water change. The times between that the skimmate collection is almost nill so I dont run it.

[skydive]

You can get by with one just do the weekly water changes.

 

It should be on 24/7 and the noise might get better after it breaks in.

 

Watch your Coral Beauty they're known to nip at sessile inverts.

 

One more thing......ditch the avatar

[speakyourmind]

Alrite thanks for the help everyone, much appreciated.

[Tbone675]

i skim 24/7

[thecowkid]

I forgot to say it really depends on the power of your skimmer. MIne is way to powerful for my setup, so its possible for me to overskim.

[Karl2008]

I have an octapous Hob filter rated for A 90 gallon on my twenty five gallon I run it 24/7 Change five gallons weekly collection cup full by week end.

[glennr1978]

24/7 here. But my tank is stocked heavily.

[nanoty]

I skim 24/7 for simplicity. The in sump skimmer takes quite a bit of water to fill and changes the water level in my sump enough to screw with the ATO and therefore my SG.