9010 skimmer issues

[slowECUdiver]

haven't had any problems with this skimmer up until today. i went to check my tank as i do every morning and the skimmer wasn't producing anything. checked the plug--it was plugged in--and the switch on the powerstrip was also turned on.

took entire unit apart and cleaned everything thoroughly. ran the pump in a 50/50 water/vinegar solution while i cleaned the housing and collection cup (ran for approx 5 minutes in vinegar solution). i then disassembled the pump and cleaned out the impellar and pump housing. rinsed everything off, dried it and reinstalled it in my sump

after turning the unit back on, it started producing bubbles immediately but the pump was making a clicking sound. 30 minutes later--it has completely stopped again.

any words of advice on this, Roger? i have the sump kit installed properly (double checked against the instructions) and have never had any issues with the skimmer until now.

thanks,
eric

 

[slowECUdiver]

well, just shut it off before starting the thread. 15 minutes or so later, flipped the switch on the American DJ powerstrip and the pump/skimmer started right up.

still making a faint clicking sound. guess i'll take it apart to check all the fittings again.

would running it for a night in a vinegar bath help? i didn't see any calcium deposits/accumulations on the impellar or where it sits in the pump housing but that's not to say some additional crud didn't get sucked in when i replaced it after the initial cleaning...

 

[rvitko]

Check the brake shoes, one my be broken or it could be that calcium and debris is keeping them from fully retracting. It usually takes an hour or so for vinegar to really clean out the pump.

 

[slowECUdiver]

gottcha, will check those when i take it apart again. nothing appeared broken or out of place on the first cleaning.

i will also run for 1 hr in vinegar after giving a visual inspection to make sure all debris and calcium accumulation are gone.

thank you very much, Roger.