Question about protein skimmer.

[Johnny38]

Hi, everyone. I have a question about my Euroreef CS6-2, I have been using this skimmer over years now... I am running it with my 120G, but after years of skimming, I don't know if it still work or not.

Here is the thing, I only see a little of waste (foam) in the collection cup after one to two weeks. The waste is not enough to start filling the the collection cup, in other word, I only see some dry foam sticks on the throat/neck of the collection cup, not enough foam to start loading the cup . I already adjust the outflow pipe to the highest point as I could (to get the water level set at the highest point of skimmer). But, after one week or two, I only see the thick foam stuck on the throat/neck collection cup. In additon, after I add phytoplankton/plankton, I do not see much difference to the skimmer (suppose to skim the plankton out, right?). Not like the result I remember when the tank just setup years ago.

Does it seem just normal to you? Does your protein skimmer still get you good result of skimming after the tank has been established over years?

Please help me out with my question. If there is more information is needed, please let me know.

Thank you.

 

[sinder255248]

Whats your specs, what fish you got in there and coral? Have you cleaned the skimmer? Cleaned the venturi etc? Are the bubbles in the chamber as you remember or are there less in there? Take the skimmer down and give it a really good cleaning, leave no stone unturned. Then stick it back on and see what happens. I personally wouldn't say there was much to go wrong on a skimmer. They're pretty basic pieces of kit.

 

[ultra spikey]

I just made a post about this, im having the same problem. I've been running my skimmer for about a year, and up until now the riser neck gets gunky fast and reduces the performance of the skimmer. Im thinking about soaking the riser neck/collection cup in vinegar. Maybe theres something on there thats not coming off when I scrub it with a toothbrush.

 

[EuroReef Tec1]

Hello guys,
I would recommend cleaning the skimmer body and transition really well with some RO water. Also a VERY good idea is to clean out the venturi. There is a good chance that it is clogged. I am glad to hear that your skimmers have served you well over the years, but to keep them working like new they do require some basic maintenance.

Spikey and Johnny: PM sent as well

 

[Johnny38]

First, thank you for helping, guys. I really hope I could make the skimmer works like new again.

Here is some details about my tank. 120G loaded only with 2 common clowns, 1 six line wrase, 2 yellow-tailed damsel, and a newly come Naso (so skinny, shy, always hiding, and not eating yet... :eek2: worries...)

For the corals, so far I only get a red mushroom, green bottom, green star polyps, hammer coral, bubble coral, fox coral, and a brain coral. There is no much things in the tank yet since the tank has been setup not a long time yet (started from 1 April 07).

I always clean the skimmer once a week, however only on the collection cup. I have not clean the skimmer body ever since I purchase it. I did clean the venturi air hose by feeding hot water to it (instruction given by local pet shop). Is there any good tip for clean up/maintenance? I have seen some alages on skimmer's body like dead red coralline alage and currently mostly on red slime alage (cyanobacteria). What will be the good way to get a good clean up to my skimmer? Help, help~ help~~~

Your help is greatly appreciated, guys, thank you!!!

 

[kodyboy]

take the skimmer out and run it in a tub of vinegar and water for a day or two, that should clean it really well and hopefully get her going again for you.

 

[Reef Sponger]

Your skimmers are definitely no longer working correctly. All the above suggestions will hopefully correct the problem. As regular maintenance, I would:

1. clean out the collection cup weekly, whether it needs it or not
2. squirt a cup of hot water down the air hose weekly to keep the venturi from clogging up with salt creep or calcification buildup
3. run the pump only in 20% vinegar solution every 3-4 months and check the impeller and shaft to be sure there's no calcification, cleanout out the venturi and where the air hose connects to the venturi
4. run the entire skimmer once a year in 20% vinegar solution to completely clean the skimmer, run it at least 2 hours to overnight. you don't want to run too long as the vinegar deteriorates rubbers parts slowly. just remember that after this thorough cleaning, you will need to break-in your skimmer again

If after a thorough cleaning, your skimmer still doesn't work, you may have a pump or impeller problem.

 

[Johnny38]

Great tip, my friend! Appreciate a bunch to all of you!!! I am running my skimmer in the 20% vinegar bucket now! I will surely raise it after it finishs the sour bath.. (the smell... eww...)

I will post my result tomorrow! I know it is going to be a positive news~

Again, thank a lot of all of your help, guys!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10048616#post10048616 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reef Sponger
Your skimmers are definitely no longer working correctly. All the above suggestions will hopefully correct the problem. As regular maintenance,