I always tell everyone that maintenance weekly is a great benifit for our reefs. This is true, but the big stuff like cleaning pumps or cleaning water storage barrells I've not done.
Untill now. Its been 2 years, almost 3 since I started my 225g and I had never cleaned the pumps on my skimmer. I tore into them before I left out of town and I cant believe the difference. Before I was pulling out maybe 1/2 inch of skimmate a week. Now I'm pulling out 2 inches a day. I have to clean my cup every other day.
Yesterday, while performing a w/c, my pump froze up while it was adding the saltwater to my sump. I tore it down and found that the mag pump had a ton of deposits in it, same with the bottom of my storage barrell. I went and bought vinegar, 2 gallons and went ahead and cleaned and soaked both barrell and pump in the vinegar for about 4 hrs.
Put it all back together and now its like brand new.
I know I'm rambling but, I just wanted to say, dont put these kind of things off too long, they sneek up on you and before you know it, your equipment will slowly break down.