Cleaning the 9015 Skimmer

[alrha]

i decided to clean my skimmer to ensure i am getting optimal performance.

i took it apart, opened up the pump, cleaned all the parts (boy did they need cleaning) and did my best at cleaning the skimmer as well. it was full of junk and deffinitely needed a cleaning - i just found it difficult to really clean inside the skimmer as it is difficult to get in there.

other than the parts we attached ourselves (bottom plate and front screen) nothing else opens up to clean it better, does it?

also, i can see that the section for the air in the skimmer box looks dirty from the inside, is there any way to clean it out?

TIA

 

[rvitko]

I wouldn't worry about the rest of it too much. If the pump and nozzle are clean you should be OK. I would only add that you can soak the whole thing in vinegar and water for a day and get it really clean and I have also put them in the dishwasher- but I caution that a poorly made dishwasher may melt or damage the housing.

 

[alrha]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7031561#post7031561 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rvitko
If the pump and nozzle are clean you should be OK.

I would only add that you can soak the whole thing in vinegar and water for a day and get it really clean

which nozzle?

i assume you mean 50% vinegar / 50% water? or in 100% white vinegar?

 

[rvitko]

The nozzle on the pump taht the air line goes into. 50/50

 

[alrha]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7031727#post7031727 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rvitko
The nozzle on the pump taht the air line goes into. 50/50

ah yes, ok. just wanted to make sure. i cleaned that with all the pump parts.

Thanks!

 

[alrha]

Why does the air screw need to be in for the skimmer to "self-clean"? it seems that keeping the screw off just allows more air to go in through the hole.

 

[rvitko]

It forces the unit to draw water in through the air intake.

 

[alrha]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7051176#post7051176 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rvitko
It forces the unit to draw water in through the air intake.

water does not go into the inside of the air hole when i take the cup off. the water level is below the hole and the foam collapses to just below the hole as well. is something wrong with my skimmer?

 

[shullat]

Alrha ......planning for a 180 G cube and have also purchased the 9015 which shoud be arriving shortly. Just wanted to know are you satisfied with the skimmer??

thanks

 

[rvitko]

I wouldn't worry about it. I need to double check how it works. Bump this on Monday and I'll try to get an answer.

 

[alrha]

ok, i looked closer and some foam gets sucked into the hole... is that enough to keep it clean?

i just want to make sure i have it running as effeciently as possible as it skims under 100mL/day (from my 200 gal system) on the wettest setting. does that sound right? i would love to know how much this is pulling out on other tanks to at least have something to compare to...

 

[Mimbler1]

Albert, I am running a 9015 on a lightly loaded 30 gal, and probably only get 150 ml a week on the wettest setting, but I do get a lot of sludge on the neck. I think it is getting everything possible, as I can go about 3 weeks before needing to clean the glass,
Mike

 

[alrha]

hmmm, thanks mike, seems like we are getting a relatively similar ratio. i do still have some algae growth though...

 

[rvitko]

It should just take in a small amount of foamy water. It isn't a perfect system and you may still need to clean it occasionally. The idea is to dislodge any salt crystals.

 

[alrha]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7103246#post7103246 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rvitko
It should just take in a small amount of foamy water. It isn't a perfect system and you may still need to clean it occasionally. The idea is to dislodge any salt crystals.

cleaning it myself means soaking the entire skimmer in vinegar? or is there another way?
should i "run" the skimmer when soaking in vinegar?
if i cover the output pipe, it raises the water level and more water can be sucked in, would that be advised?

 

[alrha]

ok, i figured out why my skimmer pulls out 100mL in the first day after cleaning, and then takes 2 days to produce the next 100mL.
I always assumed that the skimmer is just performing better after i clean the cup (is it best to clean the cup daily?) but now i figured it out. The measuring sticker on the side of my cup is too low, so the 100mL mark is really starting at about 50mL.
Roger, would you be able to send me an extra sticker so i can place it correctly on the collection cup?

 

[rvitko]

I could arrange for a new sticker, this was never meant to be an absolute though. The idea was to give a general value so you would know the approximate volume lost to skimming since this volume can be assumed to be salt water and should be replenished with salt water.

 

[alrha]

no worries, i just like it for myself, it is a great way to see how much is being skimmed out (rather than just eye-balling it). if it is a problem, dont worry about it, but if it's not a big deal, i'd appreciate it.
I guess we are all just spoiled by your always excellent customer service

 

[alrha]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7103380#post7103380 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by alrha
should i "run" the skimmer when soaking in vinegar?
if i cover the output pipe, it raises the water level and more water can be sucked in, would that be advised?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7109402#post7109402 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by alrha
(is it best to clean the cup daily?)

 

[rvitko]

I would probably clean the cup weekly. You could argue that the cleaner cup skims more which is true but also the downtime and broken foam column has to be considered.

I wouldn't get so concerned about the self cleaning. It just is not a very important feature, it removes salt crust from the inlet, that's all. I would clean the pump every 3-6 months and once a year run the skimmer in a bucket of vinegar and water letting the solution get pulled through the air intake.