protein skimmers and encrusting animals

Dragonlady · 01/26/2009, 08:13 PM

Do small featherduster worms growing inside a Remora skimmer interfere with the performance of protein skimmers? Do live encrusting sponges? Should I remove them from the skimmer? If so, what is the best way? It is quite a narrow long opening. It does not seem to be skimming much, but perhaps it is due to low bioload?

xJake · 01/26/2009, 08:19 PM

I suppose after awhile they could become an issue, but I've never personally had any major problems with them. The best way to remove them would probably be to run the skimmer in a FW:Vinegar solution. This will kill the animals, dissolve any leftover tubes/skeletons, and then can easily be rinsed off/out of your skimmer before you put it back online.

Dragonlady · 01/26/2009, 08:48 PM

Thanks! Any other ideas?

betamed · 01/26/2009, 09:03 PM

I find my skimmer works best when its clean. Cleaning the pump is the most important, but I clean the whole thing every couple months.

Juruense · 01/26/2009, 09:13 PM

I agree they work best when clean.

01/26/2009, 08:13 PM	#1
Dragonlady Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: This solar system Posts: 1,051	protein skimmers and encrusting animals Do small featherduster worms growing inside a Remora skimmer interfere with the performance of protein skimmers? Do live encrusting sponges? Should I remove them from the skimmer? If so, what is the best way? It is quite a narrow long opening. It does not seem to be skimming much, but perhaps it is due to low bioload?

01/26/2009, 08:19 PM	#2
xJake Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,385	I suppose after awhile they could become an issue, but I've never personally had any major problems with them. The best way to remove them would probably be to run the skimmer in a FW:Vinegar solution. This will kill the animals, dissolve any leftover tubes/skeletons, and then can easily be rinsed off/out of your skimmer before you put it back online.

01/26/2009, 08:48 PM	#3
Dragonlady Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: This solar system Posts: 1,051	Thanks! Any other ideas?

01/26/2009, 09:03 PM	#4
betamed Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cooper city fl Posts: 1,383	I find my skimmer works best when its clean. Cleaning the pump is the most important, but I clean the whole thing every couple months.

01/26/2009, 09:13 PM	#5
Juruense Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,138	I agree they work best when clean.