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Skimmer Cleaning
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[Moved these into their own thread. Originally, the poster posted into this thread: What is Water Quality.]
I have not heard of the 'slime coat needed' issue. From observation, I can see nothing which makes a difference to bubbles going up a tube, EXCEPT when the equipment is new, there may be some coating or other matter that needs to work itself out before the skimmer settles into its life-long work. Once settled, it always works each time, pretty much as before, even after a cleaning.
In most skimmers the generic design is a column where bubbles climb up. There is often then a more narrow column attached to a cup, such that this narrow column, in the center of the cup, goes up to near the top cap of the skimmer. Bubbles climb the larger diameter tube, breaking as they go. At some point the bubbles slow down in their breaking, or pretty much last a long a time -- time enough now to be pushed up to the the more narrow tube by the bubbles below.
These longer lasting bubbles have a range of 'dryness.' They climb up that inside tube and spill over into the cup. Some cups have an overflow feature so that if the cup fills to a certain depth, the bubbles and accumulated liquid drains off (into another container usually - but can be connected directly to a drain).
The cleaning begins by of course, turning off the pump and all power to the unit. Check the intake strainer to be sure it is open and clean. Now the rest includes disassembly -- remove cap; remove cup with narrow inner tube. Clean with water only (no soaps or cleaners, and only a sponge or cloth that has never been used with cleaners, soaps, or chemicals). Clean the cap; clean the cup and tube (inside the tube is most important). Now go down inside the larger diameter tube and clean it as far down as you can see any brown 'waste.' Rinse all quite well in tap water. For 'rinsing' the inner tube, rinse out the sponge or rag with RO/DI water (or distilled) a few times, and go over the inner surface a few times. Rinse then with RO/DI all parts that come into contact with the tank water. If there is an overflow device/container, clean it out. However, since that doesn't come into contact with tank water, just rinse in tap water after cleaning. There is usually a hose from the collecting cup to the over-flow container/drain. This should be cleaned out by forcing tap water through it (high pressure). If dirt not coming off, then a long brush is needed.
Reassemble the unit. Clean off the outside with a rag soaked with RO/DI water.
If the unit has an air intake and/or air intake filter, that will need to be cleaned to be sure it is not clogging up.
Generally not cleaned is the hosing from aquarium to pump to skimmer. If the manufacturer of the unit doesn't supply cleaning instructions, use the above. If cleaning instructions are provided, use those.
Post your fish care and health questions on the Reefland MARINE FISH: CARE, HEALTH AND DISEASE TREATMENT Forum.
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