cleaning a skimmer?

meat1974 · 03/27/2011, 03:33 PM

I know I should use distilled vinigar, but how much and how long? I'm just going to drop it in a 5 gallon bucket and let it run. Any advice would be appreciated.

aleonn · 03/27/2011, 03:45 PM

When I use distilled vinegar to clean powerheads, I run it overnight, then use a toothbrush to scrub out built up detritus, algae, and coralline.

meat1974 · 03/29/2011, 09:58 AM

Thank you.

RokleM · 03/30/2011, 08:52 AM

Unless it's REALLLY on there, you shouldn't need more than 30-60 minutes more than likely. Be careful running it for extended periods, as the water/pump can get pretty toasty in such a small water volume.

EllieSuz · 03/30/2011, 09:43 AM

Every few months, I mix vinegar 50/50 with water and run it for about an hour or so. Give it a rinse and back in the sump it goes.

03/27/2011, 03:33 PM	#1
meat1974 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 97	cleaning a skimmer? I know I should use distilled vinigar, but how much and how long? I'm just going to drop it in a 5 gallon bucket and let it run. Any advice would be appreciated. __________________ DIY what you can. Current Tank Info: 72 gallon reef tank, 20 gallon sump with refuge, mag 5 return pump, ins180 Reef Dynamics skimmer, diy light fixture 2x175 watt metal halide & 4x65 watt compact florescent. 8 gallon bio-cube with middle diy refugium.

03/29/2011, 09:58 AM	#3
meat1974 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 97	Thank you. __________________ DIY what you can. Current Tank Info: 72 gallon reef tank, 20 gallon sump with refuge, mag 5 return pump, ins180 Reef Dynamics skimmer, diy light fixture 2x175 watt metal halide & 4x65 watt compact florescent. 8 gallon bio-cube with middle diy refugium.

03/30/2011, 08:52 AM	#4
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	Unless it's REALLLY on there, you shouldn't need more than 30-60 minutes more than likely. Be careful running it for extended periods, as the water/pump can get pretty toasty in such a small water volume. __________________ -Eric-

03/30/2011, 09:43 AM	#5
EllieSuz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,858	Every few months, I mix vinegar 50/50 with water and run it for about an hour or so. Give it a rinse and back in the sump it goes. __________________ "You can't learn this hobby one question at a time." (Mr. Tuskfish) Eileen Current Tank Info: I'm out of the hobby, but used to have a60 gal. reef, refugium in sump, Internal Mag 9 return, SC 302 skimmer, two Maxi-Jet 1200's modded, four bulb T5 Lighting, Reefkeeper Lite Controller with three PC4's, Little Fishes GFO reactor.

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03/27/2011, 03:45 PM	#2
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	When I use distilled vinegar to clean powerheads, I run it overnight, then use a toothbrush to scrub out built up detritus, algae, and coralline.