Salt Creep kills Coralife Super Skimmer

Bred · 11/15/2006, 12:46 PM

This may be really noob of me, but I'd just like to share something I recently discovered.

My CSS 110 didn't produce nearly as much skimmate last week as it ordinarily does. Then yesterday when I checked on it I had to do a double-take to make sure it was even filled with water... There were no microbubbles - what gives?!

Turns out that salt had crept inside the airway that delivers air to the powerhead, restricting the amount of air that could pass into the unit from the airline tubing. I used a tiny screwdriver to scrape it out under hot water. Problem solved, and back to efficient skimming.

Now I know to perform this cleaning every couple of months!

ezcompany · 11/15/2006, 12:50 PM

no equipment is maintenance free, some can be left alone longer than others (higher quality), but all will need a good vinegar soak once or twice a year.

jcm2m9 · 11/15/2006, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bred
This may be really noob of me, but I'd just like to share something I recently discovered.

My CSS 110 didn't produce nearly as much skimmate last week as it ordinarily does. Then yesterday when I checked on it I had to do a double-take to make sure it was even filled with water... There were no microbubbles - what gives?!

Turns out that salt had crept inside the airway that delivers air to the powerhead, restricting the amount of air that could pass into the unit from the airline tubing. I used a tiny screwdriver to scrape it out under hot water. Problem solved, and back to efficient skimming.

Now I know to perform this cleaning every couple of months!

Mine does the same thing, but I think it is calcium build-up.

Brucewrs · 11/15/2006, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ezcompany
no equipment is maintenance free, some can be left alone longer than others (higher quality), but all will need a good vinegar soak once or twice a year.

Good vinegar soak?How much vinegar?Never did that before.Any info would be great.Thanks

Wryknow · 11/15/2006, 03:37 PM

Just use cheap, distilled white vinegar and mix it in water at about 4:1 water to vinegar and submerge for 24 hours. The vinegar disolves the calcium build ups.

Brucewrs · 11/15/2006, 03:42 PM

24hrs?I cant go without my pump for that long..

Froggy · 11/15/2006, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brucewrs
24hrs?I cant go without my pump for that long..

Why not ? Your tank can go without skimming for that long without problem. If you are worried about aeration and oxygen levels in the tank, good circulation and the tumbling action of the overflow will take care of that. You need to clean and maintain your pump for the skimmer every few months anyway or you will lose it for longer than 24 Hrs while you order a new one. Every mechanical piece of equipment requires maintenance.

Fishbulb2 · 11/15/2006, 06:05 PM

ok then use muriatic acid from HD. Dilute it 10:1 or 20:1 and soak it for a couple minutes. Clean as a whistle. Just rinse it REALLY well afterwards.
FB

Brucewrs · 11/15/2006, 06:06 PM

I was talking about the 2 return pumps in my sump. Maybe I will let them soak for a little while while alternating them.

ezcompany · 11/15/2006, 06:22 PM

when you use the acid make sure you wear gloves.

seattlerob · 11/15/2006, 06:26 PM

FWIW: I will usually take apart the impeller assembly and check to make sure all the moving parts still move freely. I usually find calcium build up between the impeller and the rod it spins on, which will eventually cause the PH to completely seize up if not cleaned. I find this especially true with RIO and SEIO pumps, which includes the pump on my CSS (I think this is due to the fact the rio/seio pumps use a ceramic rod whereas this is much less an issue with my maxijet PHs, and those use stainless steel rod).

I also find running the pump in the vinegar solution (versus just soaking it) speeds up the time it takes to get cleaned.

I try & do the vinegar thing once a month on all my pumps.

hth,
rob

archieb2 · 11/16/2006, 06:03 PM

I've had the same problem with my css in the past. I clean all of my pumps once a month, so I don't see the problem too much anymore.

Whaledriver · 11/16/2006, 06:34 PM

You want to check your calcium, magnesium and alk levels. If any are out of wack you can get calcium depositing in places you don't want.

The best way to clear out the blockage is a piece of spaghetti. If it breaks off you can always soak it and get it out.

11/15/2006, 12:46 PM	#1
Bred Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 16	Salt Creep kills Coralife Super Skimmer This may be really noob of me, but I'd just like to share something I recently discovered. My CSS 110 didn't produce nearly as much skimmate last week as it ordinarily does. Then yesterday when I checked on it I had to do a double-take to make sure it was even filled with water... There were no microbubbles - what gives?! Turns out that salt had crept inside the airway that delivers air to the powerhead, restricting the amount of air that could pass into the unit from the airline tubing. I used a tiny screwdriver to scrape it out under hot water. Problem solved, and back to efficient skimming. Now I know to perform this cleaning every couple of months!

11/15/2006, 12:50 PM	#2
ezcompany Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 4,640	no equipment is maintenance free, some can be left alone longer than others (higher quality), but all will need a good vinegar soak once or twice a year. __________________ Jin Have a nice day! Current Tank Info: IM40

11/15/2006, 03:37 PM	#5
Wryknow Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,203	Just use cheap, distilled white vinegar and mix it in water at about 4:1 water to vinegar and submerge for 24 hours. The vinegar disolves the calcium build ups. __________________ You cannot use reason to change the opinion of a person that did not use reason to form their opinion in the first place. Current Tank Info: 65 G RR, w/ 50 G sump/refugium, DIY LED lighting, AquaMaxx CO-1 skimmer, Tunze 1073.050 return

11/15/2006, 06:05 PM	#8
Fishbulb2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,807	ok then use muriatic acid from HD. Dilute it 10:1 or 20:1 and soak it for a couple minutes. Clean as a whistle. Just rinse it REALLY well afterwards. FB __________________ Just getting back in, but trying to do it right! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon tank. SPS, LPS, few softies

11/15/2006, 06:22 PM	#10
ezcompany Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 4,640	when you use the acid make sure you wear gloves. __________________ Jin Have a nice day! Current Tank Info: IM40

11/15/2006, 03:42 PM	#6
Brucewrs Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Hobe Sound,Florida Posts: 130	24hrs?I cant go without my pump for that long..

11/15/2006, 06:06 PM	#9
Brucewrs Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Hobe Sound,Florida Posts: 130	I was talking about the 2 return pumps in my sump. Maybe I will let them soak for a little while while alternating them.

11/15/2006, 06:26 PM	#11
seattlerob Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 464	FWIW: I will usually take apart the impeller assembly and check to make sure all the moving parts still move freely. I usually find calcium build up between the impeller and the rod it spins on, which will eventually cause the PH to completely seize up if not cleaned. I find this especially true with RIO and SEIO pumps, which includes the pump on my CSS (I think this is due to the fact the rio/seio pumps use a ceramic rod whereas this is much less an issue with my maxijet PHs, and those use stainless steel rod). I also find running the pump in the vinegar solution (versus just soaking it) speeds up the time it takes to get cleaned. I try & do the vinegar thing once a month on all my pumps. hth, rob

11/16/2006, 06:03 PM	#12
archieb2 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wyanet,IL Posts: 35	I've had the same problem with my css in the past. I clean all of my pumps once a month, so I don't see the problem too much anymore.

11/16/2006, 06:34 PM	#13
Whaledriver Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,811	You want to check your calcium, magnesium and alk levels. If any are out of wack you can get calcium depositing in places you don't want. The best way to clear out the blockage is a piece of spaghetti. If it breaks off you can always soak it and get it out.