brown algae or diatoms in skimmer

TheSaint216 · 04/29/2012, 04:46 AM

I have a clear acrylic Skimmer, reef octopus. Its not to far from my lights. I'm noticing brown gunk which looks like diatoms sticking to the acrylic inside, about 2 inches below the collection cup. Should I try to black that section out or is this normal inside a Skimmer body?

Thanks

ScottRT · 04/29/2012, 04:53 AM

I have gotten a similar film on both of my last 2 skimmers. I believe it is somewhat normal. You can purchase a flexible bottle brush (they sell them at beer and wine making store) to get at the hard to reach areas also.

TheSaint216 · 04/29/2012, 05:03 AM

Did u break it down and clean it out? Wondering if it would have to break in again if I did that?

ScottRT · 04/29/2012, 06:48 AM

No, you can actually just take off the collection cup and pace the bottle brush down in there and scrub it out.

TheSaint216 · 04/29/2012, 08:50 AM

Cool thanks guys

jim.crunk · 04/29/2012, 08:59 AM

It's fish poop. Really! Cleans easily, but quite nasty.
My SRO does the same thing with no lighting in the sump area.

04/29/2012, 04:46 AM	#1
TheSaint216 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Cleveland Ohio Posts: 129	brown algae or diatoms in skimmer I have a clear acrylic Skimmer, reef octopus. Its not to far from my lights. I'm noticing brown gunk which looks like diatoms sticking to the acrylic inside, about 2 inches below the collection cup. Should I try to black that section out or is this normal inside a Skimmer body? Thanks

04/29/2012, 04:53 AM	#2
ScottRT Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 55	I have gotten a similar film on both of my last 2 skimmers. I believe it is somewhat normal. You can purchase a flexible bottle brush (they sell them at beer and wine making store) to get at the hard to reach areas also.

04/29/2012, 05:03 AM	#3
TheSaint216 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Cleveland Ohio Posts: 129	Did u break it down and clean it out? Wondering if it would have to break in again if I did that?

04/29/2012, 06:48 AM	#4
ScottRT Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 55	No, you can actually just take off the collection cup and pace the bottle brush down in there and scrub it out.

04/29/2012, 08:50 AM	#5
TheSaint216 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Cleveland Ohio Posts: 129	Cool thanks guys

04/29/2012, 08:59 AM	#6
jim.crunk Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 179	It's fish poop. Really! Cleans easily, but quite nasty. My SRO does the same thing with no lighting in the sump area.