How to lower noisey skimmer

[Fishman007]

I have a CPR bak pak skimmer and it is super noisey, it is 3 years old and i wash out the skimming box once a week. Could it be the motor?

 

[MaiTank]

Follwoing, but you may want to try the sealant foam in a ziploc that was suggested in my post.

 

[Jtisle506]

I have a bh-2000 skimmer and made a few mods, i made an acrylic top for the output drain so theres no gurgling, i put soundproof fabric that i got from Home Depot around the pump and pipes, just some examples you may be able to use, i hate loud tanks and i have my tank almost whisper quiet

 

[Fishman007]

Follwoing, but you may want to try the sealant foam in a ziploc that was suggested in my post.

What is that?

 

[MaiTank]

Jtisle pictures?

 

[Fishman007]

Heres a pic of the skimmer

 

[dragonfisher33]

picture in this case might not help much. if not too much trouble, could you upload a video?

 

[Fishman007]

picture in this case might not help much. if not too much trouble, could you upload a video? or point out where the sound is actually coming from

Cant tell for sure but it seems like the motor

 

[dragonfisher33]

Cant tell for sure but it seems like the motor

have you cleaned the impeller? or was there any point during your usage where the motor is trying to run but something got stuck and the impeller is not spinning even tho the motor is running?

 

[Fishman007]

have you cleaned the impeller?

Impeller? If you mean the little box at the top that collects the grunge then yes, once a week

 

[dragonfisher33]

Impeller? If you mean the little box at the top that collects the grunge then yes, once a week

no, that's called the collection cup. i'm talking about the motor, have you taken apart the motor and clean the fan looking thing?

 

[Fishman007]

no, that's called the collection cup. i'm talking about the motor, have you taken apart the motor and clean the fan looking thing?

Hmmm no, should i remove the skimmer from the tank? How should i clean it? With water?

 

[dragonfisher33]

Hmmm no, should i remove the skimmer from the tank? How should i clean it? With water?

that should be part of the cleaning routine. take the entire unit out, put it in vinegar water to get rid of the gunk, take apart the skimmer and the motor, and scrub as much as you can.

 

[Fishman007]

that should be part of the cleaning routine. take the entire unit out, put it in vinegar water to get rid of the gunk, take apart the skimmer and the motor, and scrub as much as you can.

How long should i leave it before putting it in the tank again? Should i get a bucket and leave it in the vinegar? Or just rinse it off with vinegar? How often should i do this

 

[dragonfisher33]

How long should i leave it before putting it in the tank again? Should i get a bucket and leave it in the vinegar? Or just rinse it off with vinegar? How often should i do this

get a bucket, pour some vinegar follow by water (the order of these two matters) in a bucket. put the entire skimmer in there, plug it in and let it run for some hrs or you can simply just let it immerse in the acidic water. take apart everything and do a thorough scrub and clean the following day. rinse it off thoroughly again with regular or RO/DI water if you want to be a purist

 

[Fishman007]

get a bucket, pour some vinegar follow by water (the order of these two matters) in a bucket. put the entire skimmer in there, plug it in and let it run for some hrs or you can simply just let it immerse in the acidic water. take apart everything and do a thorough scrub and clean the following day. rinse it off thoroughly again with regular or RO/DI water if you want to be a purist

How often?

 

[Fishman007]

One more Q what is it in the skimmer? Coraline algea? Calcium? Salt creep?

 

[dragonfisher33]

One more Q what is it in the skimmer? Coraline algea? Calcium? Salt creep?

a thorough cleaning like this every other month would be good. depending on your setup, you could have all of those in there. which is why a vinegar solution is good for cleaning because it softens everything and make it easier to scrub

 

[Fishman007]

a thorough cleaning like this every other month would be good. depending on your setup, you could have all of those in there. which is why a vinegar solution is good for cleaning because it softens everything and make it easier to scrub

Ok thanks, i will get on that friday. How much vinegar?

 

[dragonfisher33]

Ok thanks, i will get on that friday. How much vinegar?

there's not a particular formula, but it's generally agreed that the stronger the better. i did mine at 1 : 3~4 for vinegar to water ratio