Skimmer cleaning

[huma-huma]

You could always go with a skimmer that has the optional automatic neck cleaner attachment..

 

[jeffaquarius]

Ok. I won't have that skimmer next month. I'm changing my set up

So far I have not found or known anyone yet having a salt water tank without a skimmer.

 

[mr_X]

Before the green water I was cleaning it every few days

How did that go for you?

 

[Gregcoyote]

On my Hydor, I taped a small nylon fitting into the cup for a drain that goes to a 5 gallon water jug. That way I can keep track of skim amounts, but not empty the cup daily. I still clean the head of my skimmer weekly, bubbles build back up within an hour and I get better skim when it's spotless.

 

[Stlrockguy]

What I ment about not using that skimmer is that I'm getting ready to set up a sump and I'm upgrading skimmers

 

[Stlrockguy]

On my Hydor, I taped a small nylon fitting into the cup for a drain that goes to a 5 gallon water jug. That way I can keep track of skim amounts, but not empty the cup daily. I still clean the head of my skimmer weekly, bubbles build back up within an hour and I get better skim when it's spotless.

I'll give that a try. Sounds like a good idea. When I shut my skimmer off it starts to bubble back up right away

 

[Gregcoyote]

You have to have a reliable skimmer to do this. Sump based skimmers can just overflow with little damage, where one with a outside drain can cause a drop in salinity if it goes wild.

 

[mr_X]

where one with a outside drain can cause a drop in salinity if it goes wild.

Or drain the sump all over the floor.

 

[Stlrockguy]

Well then I guess I won't be doing that. I plan in getting a reef octopus

 

[Gregcoyote]

Or drain the sump all over the floor.

Had that happen once. But have made changes to prevent the same from happening again. But better than emptying that nasty cup every day. My 500 gallons and big bio load works this skimmer.

 

[mr_X]

If you choose to have the skimmer drain into a waste container, I would like to see the waste container positioned so that if it overflows, it will simply run back into the tank. At least put the waste container in a 5 gallon bucket beside the skimmer so at least 5 gallons of tank water will be prevented to hit the floor in such an event.

 

[Gregcoyote]

If you choose to have the skimmer drain into a waste container, I would like to see the waste container positioned so that if it overflows, it will simply run back into the tank. At least put the waste container in a 5 gallon bucket beside the skimmer so at least 5 gallons of tank water will be prevented to hit the floor in such an event.

I took it a step further. I put a cutoff for the skimmer pump in the 5 gallon waste bucket. It gets too full it cuts the skimmer pump. In the past year I have had this Hydor, it hasn't glitched once.

 

[Stlrockguy]

Can you get me a link on the hydor Greg

 

[Gregcoyote]

 

[Stlrockguy]

I'm going to look into one of them

 

[Stlrockguy]

The smallest hydor performer is rated at 300gph. It's a shame that's to big for my system

 

[mr_X]

There are other good skimmers out there. What is the total volume of your system?

 

[Stlrockguy]

The tank is 55 and the sump says it holds 30 gallons. But I'm not sure. Less then 80 gallons total.

 

[Stlrockguy]

I was looking at this skimmer

http://bit.ly/19TcIZ4

 

[mr_X]

That will work fine. It's plenty for your system IMO.