skimmer issue

[dmh41532]

Sometime during the night or afternoon today my skimmer broke. How long can my tank thrive until I fix or replace it?

[Painted skin]

Just keep an eye on your ammonia levels and do WC if needed and as long as you have proper circulation and aeration you should be find until you get replaced or repaired . There are not many, but there are tanks out there that doesn't have a skimmer.

[thebkramer]

my tank ran for over a year with no skimmer and just an HOB filter.. not saying wait this long, and I am def not recommending it.. but it can be done.
I do know others, as Painted skin said, that do not use skimmers at all

[kissman]

what broke about it? never seen one just break

[dmh41532]

well, the motor just stopped. The water intake isn't blocked. I tried to access the pump, but I am not sure how to take the motor out. It's an aquatic life mini skimmer.

[thebkramer]

should also ask.. how big/small is your tank? what is taking up residence?
def keep an eye on params and do water changes if needed

[dmh41532]

it's a 20 gallon long with a pair of clown fish and an orchid dottyback. I also have an assortment of corals. I just changed 5 gallons of water last night, I probably have to change 5 more gallons tomorrow.

[thebkramer]

thats different.. 20g is smaller system than a 55g. but IMO.. don't go crazy with the water changes.. just keep an eye an all your params.. especially the ammonia. and do small water changes (like 2g?) every few days until you get your skimmer.. but thats just my opinion!

how long til you can get a new skimmer?

[kissman]

Soak it in a vinegar bath see if it cranks back up

[dmh41532]

i'll test the water again today. Does it matter what type of vinegar I use? I have white vinegar. thanks

[Denbf58]

did you keep the manual for the skimmer it should have how take it apart to clean it if not just google it and you can find the pdf file to download. take it apart soak in 50/50 vinegar bath ck small passages for blockage. unless the motor brunt out most problem are fixed with a good cleaning

[sponger0]

Honestly, you dont really need a skimmer on smaller tanks, it helps but sometimes really isnt justified.

Just do 10% weekly water changes and that should be good.

[dmh41532]

the owners manual is on a cd, there aren't instructions for cleaning it or taking it apart.

[sponger0]

The instructions show how to put it together. Look at it backwards and thats how to take it apart.

But I dont think you really need it. What is your livestock? Corals and fish

[kissman]

only use White Vinegar, try and get the skimmer apart you might have to take the impellar out and scrub it and the impellar face plate. Probably something inside of it hanging it up

[dmh41532]

I ahve a pair of clownfish and an orchid dottyback plus assorted corals and macroalgea. Im going to try a vinegar bath and to clean the skimmer. going for a new skimmer today isn't going to happen due to the snow.

[kissman]

you can fix the one you have I bet. Clean or replace the pump unless its an excuse for a better skimmer.

[dmh41532]

i took the skimmer apart. nothing was blocking the impeller. I played with it a bit and the motor did start up. hopefully it dosn'et do it again. thanks eveyone.

[thebkramer]

WOO HOOOO!!!!!

[kissman]

Glad to hear it