Time Without Skimmer For Cleaning?

[BigEZ77]

I think it's time that I clean my skimmer for the first time, lol. Thinking about soaking it in vinegar overnight. Will it be ok for my tank to be without a skimmer for that long?

Thanks,

 

[madweazl]

Many have no skimmer at all.

 

[gone fishin]

Should be fine.

 

[jason2459]

What does your pH dip down to over night?

I'd do it during the day when pH is going to be normally higher.

 

[A sea K]

Should not be an issue. I use diluted muriatic acid on the skimmer body and a toothbrush to scrub out the pump, a few minutes and its squeaky clean and ready to go back in the sump.

 

[sde1500]

I haven't run my skimmer in a week, mainly because I just remembered I forgot to turn it back on after last time I cleaned. My tank looks great as of today. You'll be fine.

 

[ktownhero]

A skimmer is an optional piece of equipment... You'll be fine.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

 

[BigEZ77]

Thanks for all the responses.

Should not be an issue. I use diluted muriatic acid on the skimmer body and a toothbrush to scrub out the pump, a few minutes and its squeaky clean and ready to go back in the sump.

To be honest, I'm a little freaked out by anything that has acid in the name but it seems to be the quick way of doing things. How many parts water vs muriatic acid? How long do you let it soak?

 

[jason2459]

Thanks for all the responses.



To be honest, I'm a little freaked out by anything that has acid in the name but it seems to be the quick way of doing things. How many parts water vs muriatic acid? How long do you let it soak?

I would be hesitant to use HCL too for this purpose. However, vinegar is an acid too, acetic acid diluted, just a much weaker acid then muriatic acid (HCL). If you use HCL please handle with care and store away from children and pets.

You maybe just fine with soaking overnight.

But I do caution the lows in pH if you have issues with it and the skimmer is helping to keep it above 7.7-7.8.

Especially with colder temps coming to many locations and windows/doors are staying shut or furnaces/fireplaces are kicking on. Like my house. I deal with low pH and my skimmer helps maintain a normal pH level.

 

[BigEZ77]

I've never checked the pH at night so I'm not sure. My windows stay closed for most of the year...i.e. a/c in the summer.

 

[Tanthaitrung]

I think it's time that I clean my skimmer for the first time, lol. Thinking about soaking it in vinegar overnight. Will it be ok for my tank to be without a skimmer for that long?

Thanks,

Don't worry. I'm here in Vietnam, sometimes there is no power for few hours. That means, there are no skimmer, no return pump, no power head

 

[FamilyTank]

Shouldn't need an overnight soak. I cleaned my MaxiJets in 1:1 (I think) vinegar/hot water for about 10-15 mins. Scrubbed quick with a toothbrush and done.

 

[A sea K]

To be honest, I'm a little freaked out by anything that has acid in the name but it seems to be the quick way of doing things. How many parts water vs muriatic acid? How long do you let it soak?

At least 10:1 and I don't soak for any specific time, just long enough for the crud to come off.

 

[BlueRoofTang]

I never use anything to clean a skimmer....but water. I just wash it off in the sink, dry it off and put it back in service.

 

[Sk8r]

You don't have to sterilize the skimmer, just get the slime and encrustation off: vinegar does it nicely.

 

[Jah2707]

If you are worried throw an airpump in the place of it.