cleaning skimmer

[segraves1]

Should I be cleaning the skimmer cup out (ie: actually wiping the crud out of the neck in the cup) or should I just empty and put it back on? I notice that when I clean it, the skimmer seems to take a few hours to get going again but then SEEMS to skimmer better once it gets to going.

What about the skimmer body overall?


side Q: is it really possible to have TOO MUCH air in a skimmer? more air = more contact

[reefgeek]

I clean mine out about once every 6 weeks. THat includes a full overhaul, and grease on the o rings.

MY theory is this, The cleaner the inside the less friction you have allowing the air to move to the top more efficiently. Crud provides resistance, and wont allow the skimmate to make it to the top easily. I have found that after I clean mine out, I have to cut it back as it skims too much, and makes the cup look like one of the foam parties I used to hit down in Cabo !!! and it fills up in about 40 minutes...

I have a euro reef in sump skimmer. works like a champ, and its nice to look at when its all cleaned up...

[segraves1]

grease on the o rings.

grease? on o-rings? in reef tank? wha?

[seahorsedreams]

There is silicone o ring grease/lube/oil.

[JustDavidP]

The question of "over skimming" is one that is just as debatable as DSB or BB. If your system houses corals and other inhabitants that need/like nutrients, you can certainly over skim. I've seen Xenia melt in pure, polished water and would imagine that there is a cause and effect scenario going on there. I also lost an alveopora that was doing WONDERFUL in my nasty softy tank when I moved it into a cleaner SPS system.

For what it's worth, I have found that if you clean your hands before cleaning the skimmer cup and throat with water as hot as you can handle, you have less chance of getting your own oils and such on the skimmer and it then takes less time to "break in" again. I clean my collection cup on the Euroreef 6-2 weekly.

Dave