Skimmer Pump Help

[Goby1kanobe]

(Click camera photo for photos)
Can anyone help me with my skimmer pump? It just stopped working. I have an old Euro skimmer and the attached pump is a sedra powerhead modelKSP- 3500, that produces a 350GPH skim capability.
Has anyone been here done this before? Short of someone's quick response, I am worried about how long I have without filtration before things start going haywire in my tank.

What I would like to do is keep the skimmer housing because it fits well in my sump, but increase (or double) my GPH.

Thanks!

 

[Bandsaw]

Have you tried taking it apart to see if it full of calcium carbonates deposits? Left untouched, all my pumps will come to a grinding halt in about 6 months.

If it is full of calcium buildup, soak it in vinegar for a couple of hours to dissolve the buildup.

 

[Goby1kanobe]

Cool! I'll try that!

Do you think the size is ok? I mean GPH for 300 gallons?

 

[Bandsaw]

I'm going to defer that one to someone that can give you a better answer.

I know I panicked the first time my skimmer pump failed to restart after I stopped it to clean it. Was very relieved when I opened it up to find it just caked in calcium deposits.

Now I make it routine to clean all my pumps/power heads every couple of months.

 

[Reef Sponger]

Judging for the photo, it looks like your skimmer is a old ER equivalent to the RS135 and from my experience owning several ER skimmers, will support a heavy bioload tank up to 100g.