Cleaning skimmer air line

[Potatohead]

So, about every six to eight weeks my skimmer starts to randomly overflow, and I have to pull the skimmer out, take the pump out, clean the volute of the skimmer etc. The pump itself is never even close to dirty, I could probably easily go 6 - 8 months without cleaning the pump.

Does anyone use something poured/forced down the air line of the skimmer to clean it all out? I have read that boiling water and even carbonated water could work. Any ideas?

 

[smatter]

I let mine draw in some RO water once a week.

 

[Spiffy]

Hot water works for me. I don't think that it is a good idea to use boiling or carbonated water. Hot water is enough to melt the salt, and if the is build-up, you can always use a vinegar solution to soak.

 

[Potatohead]

Ok, I'll try just pouring some hot water down there when I do water changes and hopefully that will prolong it. Thanks

 

[A sea K]

I take some RO/DI water in a measuring cup, pop it in the microwave a bit till its pretty warm but not real hot, then I take the air intake to the skimmer and let it suck the warm water in on its own. It only takes a pint or two and I'm kinda lazy about my skimmer so I'll only do this when I see the skimmer acting a little irregular.

 

[BrettDS]

I configured my apex to turn the skimmer off for about 30 seconds 4 times a day. This allows tank water to back up into the air line and it dissolves the salt buildup to keep the opening reasonably clear.

It might not be perfect, but it's an automated set it and forget it thing, so that makes me happy.

 

[A sea K]

I configured my apex to turn the skimmer off for about 30 seconds 4 times a day. This allows tank water to back up into the air line and it dissolves the salt buildup to keep the opening reasonably clear.

It might not be perfect, but it's an automated set it and forget it thing, so that makes me happy.

This is a good option as well. With my other skimmers I would typically turn them off every few days to clean the collection cup and salt creep in the airline was rarely an issue. With my current skimmer I almost never turn it off and salt creep has been something I need to address far more frequently.

 

[moondoggy4]

I have my skimmer set to MH lighting on my controller and I run it 23 hours and 45 minutes so for 15 minutes the skimmer is off and if I have a power outage the skimmer shuts off for 15 minutes as well.

 

[z3speed4me]

Yea mine turns off when my main return is set to feed mode. Since the sump back fills and would cause the skimmer cup to overflow from the much higher water level anyway. Haven't had issues since this is basically an occurrence two times per day.

 

[ca1ore]

On my qt tank, I have the ATO plumbed into the skimmer airline.