how often do u clean the protein skimmer cup

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15260939#post15260939 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Biologist
I can't believe I never thought of adding an external collection cup. Thanks, Tswifty! I like to skim pretty wet, but then it fills the cup and I am left with one of the saddest sites known to man- all that skimmer cup funk overflowing right back into your tank.

No problem. One brief word of caution with using external collection containers. Make sure there is a way to shut the pump down if the collection container would overflow... aka... if your skimmer goes nuts for any reason. Otherwise there is an opportunity you could drain your sump onto your floor.

There are a lot of ways to address that issue. Personally, I installed a float switch into the lid of the container. So when/if it is activated, it will shut off the power to my skimmer pump.

 

[sebrofjr]

Hey Yswifty, I was considering doing a external collection DIY. But the one thing I was wondering is what you do when you want to actually clean the main collection cup. Do you have like a quick-release to the external collection? Or do you tank the whole external collection and collection cup off at the same time to the sink?

 

[Tswifty]

The container is connected to the collection cup via clear tubing and hose barbs, so removing the cup for cleaning is fairly simple. I usually just empty and clean the waste container once a month or so. Then only remove the collection cup for a cleaning whenever I notice a fair amount of sludge beginning to build up in the bottom of it.

Like I mentioned above, I still wipe down the collection cup/protein skimmer's neck with a paper towel daily, but leave the skimmer running and do not need to disconnect anything when I do that.

 

[serpentman]

That is a sweet collection cup TJ.

I run a similar setup. Every Sat morning I thoroughly clean my collection cup and reservoir. After a week's worth of skimming (~1gal) it stinks up the whole house when I clean it.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15266717#post15266717 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Haksar
This may sound silly,do you guys switch off the skimmer while cleaning the cup or just reduce the flow.Earlier I used to switch off the skimmer but somehow found the pump not working to its prime if its done this way.

Please advise.

Switch it off that way you’re not messing with the adjustments. Some skimmers are finicky and hard to find that sweet spot, so from that experience I just turn it off and clean it and when it gets turned back on you don't have to constantly fiddle with it.

 

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15270592#post15270592 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by serpentman
That is a sweet collection cup TJ.

Thanks Jeff. Keith is great for that kind of stuff. If you can design it, he can build it.

 

[bfb]

Once a week

 

[GilliganReef]

I check mine daily and clean the actual cup once a week. I have it setup so my collection goes into a gallon milk jug. That way I can allow the wet skim and not have to clean out daily. Or have it over spill into the tank.

 

[Finpafine]

My skimmer does not fill the empty gallon that I use to collect the stuff, but it does get a very dirty cup. Is this normal? Thank you!

 

[AmberLee]

Haha my "external collection cup" is a two litre coke bottle so lazy

 

[AmberLee]

Oh and to clean my cup, I find it easy to turn it up so it's overflowing and use a toothbrush to scrub the tube the bubbles foam up in. I do this like daily, probably a bit excessive. I take it off for a proper clean maybe every few weeks, but I get my partner to do it because last time I did it was stuck and then came unstuck very quickly, and flew, and smashed... Haha

 

[joe.chiefsparky]

What about those who have a drain port on the collection cup?

What about those who have a drain port on the collection cup?

I have a hydor 505 and it has a drain port on the collection cup that drains in to a five gallon bucket. I do notice that the skimming slows down to a stop as the collection cup gets dirtier. When I do my water change on my 72gallon I keep a bucket of the old water out just for the purpose of cleaning my collection cup. That water is changed out every time I do my water change on my tank. My skimmer skimmes like mad with a clean cup but it takes about a day or les to get it up to beast mode after the cleaning.

Am I hurting anything by using my old water to do my cleaning? And I don't shut off my skimmer while doing the cleaning, for it only takes about 3-5 minutes, never had a problem doing it this way. And I only clean the chamber it self about once every 3 months, I also put a a few handful of ceramic media at the bottom. It's only there to help with the bubbles flowing in to my tank and it does wonders I tell you. I don't know if I'll benefit or come to hurt by this but it's been like this for the past month and no problem yet although I do have to warn that I almost had a problem with my venturi pump sucking up one of the pieces of ceramic, I have to just keep it clear, the water flow don't move the media around so I had to hand place them around the intake of the venturi pump. No problem to speak of after that.

 

[droog]

Once a week, but I clean the skimmer neck every 4 hours which keeps the skimmer rocking at full power.

Vectra neck cleaner from Vertex. I think reef octopus sell an automated skimmer neck cleaner too.

-droog

 

[tg1966]

I get my best results by emptying and whipping the slime off everything daily.