What does a skimmer really take out?

[loonz]

Hey ppl,

Guess most of us use skimmers here in this forum. Though I have been in the hobby for a while, the usage of skimmers is pretty new to me.

I wish to know what a skimmer really takes out of the water. I heard from a friend that not only does it take out the bad and the ugly, it also takes out nutrients and even elements that you dose as supplements. That being true, then one would really have to keep up with the dosage with the skimmer churning?

Hence, is it wise to use the skimmer 24/7? Or is it better to turn it off after dosing some additives? And turn the skimmer back on in a few hours/half a day's time?

Which of you folks use it 24/7 except when emptying the collection cup? And which of you use it periodically? And what's the rationale being that?

Thanks for any answers that you guys could provide. Cheers!

[fangtooth]

if you ask LFS, most will tell you it clean the shit and urine

[xiggie]

they are called protein skimmer .... so i guess they skimm protein out of the water ...