Cleaning SuperSkimmer

mkhordiav · 08/22/2006, 08:14 PM

Hello Everyone,

What is the best way for completely cleaning my CSS125? I always clean out the collection cup whenever I empty it, but lately (the past 2 months) it's efficiency has rapidly gone downhill, so I think it's time for a thorough cleaning of everything. I've dismantled the powerhead and cleaned out everything there really well, I'm just not sure of the best way of cleaning out the skimmer body itself. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

davocean · 08/22/2006, 08:53 PM

I use a bottle brush and fresh water.
I think some people use vinegar also.
Remember after cleaning it it's going to kick up a bit, so remember to adjust.

Salty Brother · 08/22/2006, 09:20 PM

sponge and one of thoes super pipe cleaners works for me

TKByrnes · 08/22/2006, 09:53 PM

everyone always told me to use vinegar so thats what i do

mkhordiav · 08/23/2006, 01:09 AM

Thanks everyone for the advice. I disassembled the unit completely and made up a 50/50 mixture of warm water and vinegar (5%). I used the brush and scrubbed every single part with it. Then I submerged the powerhead in this mixture and let it run for 10 minutes to clean the needlewheel. Finally I filled the skimmer chamber with it and let it sit for awhile also. Everything was rinsed thoroughly and reinstalled in the tank. Almost immediately I could see a difference in foam production. Does this vinegar process basically strip the "junk" off the parts and restore the skimmer to like-new operation? What I'm meaning to say is, will the skimmer have to "break in" again since there's no more slime coat in the chamber, or should it be fully broken in and running at 100% production immediately after the vinegar baths?

Thanks for all the help!

08/22/2006, 08:14 PM	#1
mkhordiav Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Denver Posts: 23	Cleaning SuperSkimmer Hello Everyone, What is the best way for completely cleaning my CSS125? I always clean out the collection cup whenever I empty it, but lately (the past 2 months) it's efficiency has rapidly gone downhill, so I think it's time for a thorough cleaning of everything. I've dismantled the powerhead and cleaned out everything there really well, I'm just not sure of the best way of cleaning out the skimmer body itself. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

08/22/2006, 08:53 PM	#2
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I use a bottle brush and fresh water. I think some people use vinegar also. Remember after cleaning it it's going to kick up a bit, so remember to adjust. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

08/22/2006, 09:53 PM	#4
TKByrnes Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fairfield, PA Posts: 1,331	everyone always told me to use vinegar so thats what i do __________________ Baby it was on sale half price I PROMISE!!!! Current Tank Info: 90 gal mixed reef-55 gal sump-mag 9.5 return pump-10 gal frag tank 15 gal refugium. 2x 150 watt HQI outer orbit 4x pc actinic

08/22/2006, 09:20 PM	#3
Salty Brother Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 1,119	sponge and one of thoes super pipe cleaners works for me

08/23/2006, 01:09 AM	#5
mkhordiav Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Denver Posts: 23	Thanks everyone for the advice. I disassembled the unit completely and made up a 50/50 mixture of warm water and vinegar (5%). I used the brush and scrubbed every single part with it. Then I submerged the powerhead in this mixture and let it run for 10 minutes to clean the needlewheel. Finally I filled the skimmer chamber with it and let it sit for awhile also. Everything was rinsed thoroughly and reinstalled in the tank. Almost immediately I could see a difference in foam production. Does this vinegar process basically strip the "junk" off the parts and restore the skimmer to like-new operation? What I'm meaning to say is, will the skimmer have to "break in" again since there's no more slime coat in the chamber, or should it be fully broken in and running at 100% production immediately after the vinegar baths? Thanks for all the help!