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Clean your skimmer pump lately??


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  1. #1
    rmalone - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    grand blanc, mi
    Posts
    388

    Default Clean your skimmer pump lately??

    Holy crap I am shocked! It seemed like my ATB medium cone just wasn't really skimming like it used to, I really didn't think much of it because it still skimmed pretty well and my parameters have been excellent. So today I yanked the pump out and let it run, with air, in a bucket of vinegar/ro for about 45min. What a difference, I feel a little ashamed that I let it go that long. I clean the cup on a regular basis but hadn't dealt with the pump for far too long. Next stop will be the return pump, I am sure flow has slowed on that also. Again it hasn't caused any troubles but....

    The only point to this thread is this, if your skimmer just doesn't seem to be what it used to be let that pump run in a bucket of vinegar water for awhile, you might be surprised.

  2. #2
    Rabidgoose - Reefkeeper Moderator

    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Thumb MI
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    2,211
    Awards Yugo Award Photo of the Month

    Default

    How long has it been since you cleaned it? Yeah, I try to clean the RD every 2-3 months but it is an easy task for me to forget and it does make a difference.....Throw up a couple pictures of the ATB with some nog in it....I like the skimmer pics......
    I simply can't trust people that don't like bacon,

  3. #3
    rmalone - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    grand blanc, mi
    Posts
    388

    Default

    Your a nasty man lol, sure let it get some nog and I'll shoot some pics out, just cleaned today. UMMM, well it's been about 9 months, and I didn't just admit to that did I?

  4. #4
    ReeferRob - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    CORAL CITY U.S.A
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    3,367
    First Name
    Rob
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    Default

    Not just that, but did you notice a temp decline in the tank? I use temp as a partial indicating tool on when to clean both return and skimmer pumps. I try to do it every other month.
    "We shouldn't think of an environment where livestock can survive, we should ensure an environment where livestock can thrive."-Rabidgoose
    "If it's gonna be that kinda party, Ima stick my ........ in the mashed potatoes!"-Beastie Boys

  5. #5
    shovelhead91701 - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    durant oklahoma
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    314
    First Name
    Shawn

    Default

    Funny you should bring this subject up cause I am in the process of cleaning( errrrrr....replacing) my pump right now. when you set one up for a few years then pull it back out of storage into service maybe next time I should take it apart and clean it up better? Mine shelled three nights ago. I was under the stairs checking thing in the sump and all of a sudden it started making really bad noise and finally whammo....... no bubbly in the skimmer at all. too far gone to rebuild even looks like it got scored up really badly from calcium deposits or something. Oh well, you live and learn, but it usually costs me every time.....
    The days are long and the work is difficult but every night I sleep as a man who has achieved his goals.

  6. #6
    rmalone - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    grand blanc, mi
    Posts
    388

    Default

    OH NO, temp is no good as an indicator for me, the last 4 days my tank has been in an ambient temp of about 96-98deg F. Its at my greenhouse so just add 5-10deg F to outside temps. I have a chiller and thankfully it has done an excellent job of handling the situation. I stuck my arm in the tank today and I thought it was my beer cooler, coldest spot in the place.

  7. #7
    Tom@HaslettMI - Reefkeeper
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    East Lansing, MI
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    2,144
    First Name
    Tom
    Awards Yugo Award - For helping with the CR Booth at MCES Monthly Giveaway Winner Monthly Giveaway Winner Photo of the Month Tank of the Month

    Default

    Thanks for the reminder rmalone. A clean pump certainly makes a difference on skimmate production. I'd like to add that keeping the inside of the skimmer body algae and coralline free helps maintain maximum performance too.

    Tom

  8. #8
    adalius - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Waukesha, WI - USA
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    248
    First Name
    Josh

    Default

    Man I haven't cleaned my skimmer in... oh boy... 4 years?

    Oh, that's right, I haven't had one in that long ;D

  9. #9
    Frank143 - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    35
    First Name
    Chris

    Default

    I just cleaned my skimmer pump the other day and it made a huge difference. I regularly clean my return pump, but the skimmer pump usually gets ignored.

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