Sunday Tank Maintenance

[gdm42001]

So I was watching Mr. Saltwatertank Vids Sunday morning, and there was a video in there about doing a total skimmer cleaning, breaking it down and soaking it in vinegar. I thought, when was the last time I did that?
So off I went, and yanked it out

As I thought about it, I cannot remember pulling it out since setting up the tank 2 years ago

Small purple sponges growing inside I believe

After a couple of hours:uzi:
Clean at last

and back up and running

 

[gdm42001]

Now, I should have stopped there, but I had a failing T5 lamp in my Solar Flare. An IceCap Twilight bulb that was not taking to being overdriven well, it is only 5 months old.
So I lowered the Solar Flare and removed the end cap containing two fans and removed the splash shield and changed the bulb. I then decided to vacuum the fans and intake area which had some dust built up since installing the new tubes in November. I plugged in the vacuum and turned it on, the vacuum spun up, and died, took out the entire circuit.
Checked the breaker, it was still closed, got out the circuit tester, no voltage in a third of the plugs in my house, luckily the tank is on a different breaker.
Tested the breaker, it was good.
To make a very long story short, I vacuumed out the fan at 6 PM and hoisted the Solar Flare back into position.
We located a corroded connection in a light switch box in the laundry room, it had been getting hot, melted insulation, green corrosion on the copper etc.
Could have been much worse.
Never did get to the water change I had planned........

 

[treesmoker]

Good thing you found that short.......a missed water change is a load better than a fire!

 

[Reef Bass]

Yeah and nice job on the skimmer too.

 

[gdm42001]

Good thing you found that short.......a missed water change is a load better than a fire!

That is for sure, every time I call Farmers, I get some :furious: Story why they are not going to pay me.

 

[gdm42001]

Yeah and nice job on the skimmer too.

Thanks, Vinegar, the reefer's friend!

 

[krshlln300]

don't forget zip ties lol. Glad to hear ya found the circuit b4 it really popped on ya.