Skimmer Question
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=21229
Printed Date: July 15 2025 at 6:49pm
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Topic: Skimmer Question
Posted By: acerob
Subject: Skimmer Question
Date Posted: October 18 2007 at 10:32am
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What is everyone doing with their skimmers to keep them functioning at full capacity?? My euro reef is constantly growing "stuff" on the inside tube that really effects its performance. I really hate that I have to mess with it all the time. Any Suggestions?? ------------- Highland, UT 12g Nano 90g Reef |
Replies:
Posted By: H200
Date Posted: October 18 2007 at 11:25am
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I haven't found a way around having to do a complete scrubbing every other month or so...
randy
------------- 210 gallon glass aquarium 90 gal Refuge. 900Gal Pond |
Posted By: rstruhs
Date Posted: October 18 2007 at 11:36am
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I have to clean mine once a month. I hate doing it too. It seems like when I clean it, it takes several days before it starts working again. I've been toying with the idea of cleaning it while it is running with a bristle brush, and saving the real thorough cleanings for every 6 months or so. ------------- Rodney, Sandra, Jeffery, and Laura Struhs South Jordan, Utah 98th South & 40th West. (801) 282-2744 75 gallon reef 55 gallon reef 55 gallon FOWLR 20 gallon FOWLR |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: October 18 2007 at 11:40am
Plain dry paper towels once a week... crumple into a ball and push through the riser tube from the bottom up... use a stick or something (I use a chopstick myself) to push the paper towels through. You don't want the oil from your skin getting on the internal skimmer parts; that oil is what causes people to wonder why "I just cleaned my skimmer and now it won't work right..." (like rstruhs just posted  )
Don't use soap for the same reason.
If you do this weekly you can push back the complete scrubbings to maybe once every 6 months or so - without losing skimmer performance.
Oh, and be sure to clean out your venturi airline at least once a week. It usually starts to clog with salt creep and you will notice lower "bubble" output inside your skimmer... ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: acerob
Date Posted: October 18 2007 at 1:21pm
thanks, I try to keep up on stuff, but it seems impossible. I always see nice clean skimmers when i look at everyones stuff, but not mine  ------------- Highland, UT 12g Nano 90g Reef |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: October 18 2007 at 1:45pm
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I agree with Bob. I clean mine including the neck with clean dry paper towels and have no problems.
Mike -------------  |
Posted By: fj40fax
Date Posted: October 18 2007 at 3:56pm
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Acerob, come look at mine. I just give it the old 111 and give it
a rinse when I empty the cup. I figure I'll have to deep clean it
next year some time, maybe earlier with the venturi.
------------- Fax 318-3632 90g 2x250W 14kK MH Sump, Fuge, G3, UV, O3, ACIII Pleasant Grove, UT Across State Street from the Purple Turtle Adjustments and Massages for Frags! |