Skimmer Poll.

[Scatcat]

I'm looking at a 140 g with a refugium on bottom. The skimmer will go on bottom. Is there a good skimmer out there that doesn't have to be emptied every day?

 

[runway1]

Sure there is; the one that doesn't work. The whole idea is to remove the protein compounds. Why would you want a skimmer that doesn't skim??

 

[RLG2182]

Scat, with most any skimmers out there, the cup is rather large, only needing to be emptied every few days. Regardless, they can be modified by the manufacturer to include a drain nozzle in the bottom of the collection cup so teh waste can go into a separate container specifically designed to hold skimmer waste (*cough milkjug cough*)

Problem solved. It'll take weeks to fill up a gallon. HTH.

 

[pearsont74]

ETSS skimmer have the ablitity to dump into a extrenal container...I have one that overflows to a gal jug and I clean it ever week or so....
from my understanding the downdraft skimmer style skimmer is the most effective for the size skimmer....but thats just what i read from reseach

 

[Brenden]

I have a waste drain in mine that I plumbed right out of the house. I never have to empty it.

 

[Scatcat]

Sound like a good plan I may see if I can plumb mine to go outside and never have to worry about emptying it.

 

[gooyferret]

Even though you dont need to empty the cup... you will still want to clean the collection cup and spout...so it works efficently. Everytime i empty my cup i clean it also. HTH

 

[Brenden]

Make sure you have a continuous drop on the drain line. You do not want that nasty stuff sitting around. I also have a T with a ball valve on it and use the same drain when I do water changes. Just turn the drain pump on then put in the new water. This also cleans the skimmer waste from the drain line.

 

[Fluff]

I agree you'll want to clean it anyway. I only dump and clean my collection cup maybe once every two weeks. It's really not that much trouble.