Protein Skimmer Stink

kbaker721 · 03/26/2019, 07:17 PM

I have a 150 gallon FOWLR tank with a 55 gallon sump. LOTS of live rock. I run a protein skimmer in the sump. My tank is doing great. My protein skimmer is working great. Only issue is that it stinks. Like stinks up the house stink. I know it's working, it has lots of dark skim, but it stinks. Does anyone run a tank without any filtration other than live rock and water changes?

Anemone · 03/26/2019, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbaker721

Does anyone run a tank without any filtration other than live rock and water changes?

Many people do, especially with FOWLR tanks. On the other hand, you could clean your collection cup a little more often and probably take care of most of that smell.

Kevin

mcgyvr · 03/26/2019, 08:00 PM

Yep..skimmate STINKS...clean it often..

A skimmer is optional too..

billdogg · 03/27/2019, 09:12 AM

OMG! You can clean the skimmer? Whoda thunk it possible???

Yes, much like our bodies, if you can smell them it's (past) time to clean them!

kbaker721 · 03/27/2019, 08:16 PM

Thanks for the input. And yes I do know that it can be cleaned and do clean it - thank you. It just fills up so fast, it is difficult to get to it every day and every day it provides a stink. Knowing that I cannot take the time every single day to clean it, that is where my question came from.

mcgyvr · 03/27/2019, 08:45 PM

Adjust it...Set it to fill the cup every couple days/a week or so..
Cleaning everyday is excessive

Gatorfan · 03/28/2019, 10:08 PM

Put a bag of activated carbon on the top that covers the holes. We had to do this on a few tanks with the maintenance company I worked for.

03/26/2019, 07:17 PM	#1
kbaker721 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lancaster PA Posts: 384	Protein Skimmer Stink I have a 150 gallon FOWLR tank with a 55 gallon sump. LOTS of live rock. I run a protein skimmer in the sump. My tank is doing great. My protein skimmer is working great. Only issue is that it stinks. Like stinks up the house stink. I know it's working, it has lots of dark skim, but it stinks. Does anyone run a tank without any filtration other than live rock and water changes?

03/26/2019, 08:00 PM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Yep..skimmate STINKS...clean it often.. A skimmer is optional too.. __________________ Who me?

03/27/2019, 09:12 AM	#4
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	OMG! You can clean the skimmer? Whoda thunk it possible??? Yes, much like our bodies, if you can smell them it's (past) time to clean them! __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

03/27/2019, 08:45 PM	#6
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Adjust it...Set it to fill the cup every couple days/a week or so.. Cleaning everyday is excessive __________________ Who me?

03/28/2019, 10:08 PM	#7
Gatorfan Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 533	Put a bag of activated carbon on the top that covers the holes. We had to do this on a few tanks with the maintenance company I worked for. __________________ 120 gallon, MP20, AquaMaxx Q2, AI SOL Blue(x2) Coral Beauty Angel, Regal Angel, Potters Angel, pair of Occ. Clowns, Tomini Tang. Started 6/9/2012

03/27/2019, 08:16 PM	#5
kbaker721 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lancaster PA Posts: 384	Thanks for the input. And yes I do know that it can be cleaned and do clean it - thank you. It just fills up so fast, it is difficult to get to it every day and every day it provides a stink. Knowing that I cannot take the time every single day to clean it, that is where my question came from.