anyone else think thier skimmer works better w/ a layer of g

[Lunchbucket]

seems to me that my skimmer works better w/ a layer of brown gunk in the riser tube and collection tube in the collections cup. i have a super reef devil w/ a mag 7 on it.

am i just smoking crack. should i keep it clean or leave it dirty?

thanks
Lunchbucket

 

[JD]

My BakPak seems to work well either way,,, I like to keep it clean cuz I havnt yet aquired a taste for the smell of yuck yet.... lol

 

[Jrsydevi1]

I have wondered this myself, Lunchbucket, though I'm not sure if this is the cause or the effect..

Does it skim well because the tube is coated with gunk, or is the tube coated because it's skimming well.. hmmm...

 

[swreefer]

Mine skims the best after I clean it with hot water.

 

[-JB]

After I clean mine it won't skim for about 2-4 hours then it's fine. I think the hot water removes the oils and particles the skimmer needs to function best. Sort of like when you first get the skimmer and it needs some time to break in.

 

[EmilyB]

with crud in them. First year we ran our reef, we didn't know we had to clean it....That sounds pretty gross, but the thing skimmed back then. Since we started ripping it apart, etc. nothing but problems. Well, it is a Berlin.

Anyway, my simple Lee's skimmer functions like a dream in my 25g, until I clean it and replace the airstone...they say once a month, I do six at least.

So, go figure...crud climbs crud better than it climbs plastic, maybe ???

Not that for a moment I am suggesting not to clean your skimmer....

 

[Mouse]

The problem is when you clean the skimmer you dont clean it properly. When the skimmer has been cleaned it leaves an oily residue behind. A clean skimmer with this oily residue wont work as well as a dirty skimmer, but if you get the skimmer really clean and remove this film of oil then it will work better than a dirty skimmer. Basicly the oil is slippier than the crud but a clean acrylic surface works best.

 

[esmithiii]

Mine works well when cleaned w/ very hot water. I stay away from soap and bleach obviously!

E

 

[Lunchbucket]

good point Jrsydevi1 never thought of it that way.

so should i keep it clean or dirty? i would rather keep it clean but don't know if it works as well. maybe it does...i will have to watch it more.

also, i usually just wipe the inside out w/ a clean paper towel....that cool? any other suggestions.

my skimmer won't skimm for quite a while after cleaning it. also, when i feed it won't foam up either for a couple hours.

suggestions are welcome and experiences too.

later
Lunchbucket

 

[grimreefer1]

Chris,

You made your skimmer? Wow! Is this something that I could make with a little help from my boyfriend? I'm about to convert my fresh tank to reef, see my "newbie here, need equipment advice" post. I'll check out the DIY forum too, but just thought I would ask.

 

[Lunchbucket]

mouse how do you suggest cleaning the skimmer then? i WILL NOT take it out of the sump to clean it every week! it will take a week to start foaming again!

later
Lunchbucket

 

[Anonymous]

Lunchbucket - If what you are doing works well, don't mess with the success...

 

[chris_h]

I made my skimmer out of pvc pipe. Does pvc work as good as the clear stuff.

 

[wstubbs]

I just started w/ a SW tank this past weekend actually. I'm using a Turboflotor 1000. When all the sand was floating in my tank from positioning my LR my cup filled w/ SW every couple of hours. Now I noticed that I get a 1/4 inch of water at the botom of the cup. The foam is white. Is this normal? Would you recomend adding an air pump?

I'm new and just stubbing my toes in the darkness of ignorance

John

 

[smokin reefer]

Lunchbucket, I to have the SRD, with the mag.7 pump. I clean the cup with a toothbrush and cool water every other time i empty the cup. And on occation I use the toothbrush on the riser tube. Mine works best a hour or two after the cleaning. But, if I want thicker and darker gunk, I leave it dirty. This could also be controled with my ball valve on the pump, but I don't like to turn it all the time.

[ July 07, 2001: Message edited by: smokin reefer ]

 

[Jazzcat]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

should i keep it clean or leave it dirty?

I clean mine with an unused toothbrush. Haven't noticed whether it works better clean or dirty.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

am i just smoking crack.

Depends on how given to excess you are. Some are fine "just smoking crack", whereas others also need uncut crystal meth.

Hope this helps!

 

[Passport]

My Urchin pro absolutely skims better when crud covers inside of riser tube. No doubt about it. When I do clean it is with hot water only. I am careful not to sit collection cup down in sink or on anything where grease or oil might be. I am using a Mag 7 on this skimmer.

 

[Lunchbucket]

lmfao jazzcat.

later
Lunchbucket

 

[reef&amp;fine]

a little clear dish detergent would work very efficient just make sure its the clear type. :wink: Also if u have a big skimmer use a unused toilet brush so u can get really deep in the skimmer and the oily walls they creat. But never forget to rinse the skimmer very good let it run well under water for quit a bit and as i conclude that would be a good way to clean a skimmer pretty good. But as we should always make sure we should consider other good comments as well as others say if ur skimmer works properly the way it is dirty so well be it let it keep working that way if its doing the job but that the way ive cleaned my skimmer for years and i never had an accident with using a clear dish detergent after rinsing the skimmer well thats the best way to get rid of that oil it leaves behind. happy reef keeping guys and gals! 8)

 

[Reefguide]

Seems like it runs better for me when clean. I clean the inside tube and the collection cup about once a week. When dirty it doesn't seem to produce as much waste in the cup but rather builds up in the tube. I use a plain ole paper towel to clean off the gunk, it does seem take a couple of hours to kick in again. I also tear apart my skimmer about every 6 months, clean the crud off the pump, check and clean the impeler, ect.

In my case it seems to work better when clean.