How often do you clean you whole skimmer??
- Thread starter sweatervest13
- Start date
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
sweatervest13
Active Member
sweatervest13
Active Member
I scrubbed the crap out of the skimmer last night. The thing sparkled when I was done.
I could not get the pump off the connection but I rinsed it very well and used a tiny bottle brush to get inside. It seems to be running a bit smoother.
I also went thru and changed out all my MH bulbs. When I bought my units from the trader web site I swapped out the 15K bulbs for 20K... I simply put back in the 15k. I am hoping that this gets me by until I can get some sort of LED unit. I really don't like the idea of changing out bulb AND paying 2 - 3 times as much for my electric bill.
I must say that after going to 20K for almost a full year, that I like the 15K look a little better. I found that when I took pics with the 20K lighting that everything was blue washed. It was very annoying. I am excited to get home tonight and snap some pics under the 15K.
I could not get the pump off the connection but I rinsed it very well and used a tiny bottle brush to get inside. It seems to be running a bit smoother.
I also went thru and changed out all my MH bulbs. When I bought my units from the trader web site I swapped out the 15K bulbs for 20K... I simply put back in the 15k. I am hoping that this gets me by until I can get some sort of LED unit. I really don't like the idea of changing out bulb AND paying 2 - 3 times as much for my electric bill.
I must say that after going to 20K for almost a full year, that I like the 15K look a little better. I found that when I took pics with the 20K lighting that everything was blue washed. It was very annoying. I am excited to get home tonight and snap some pics under the 15K.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Sounds great man. Glad it worked.
seamonkey4
New Member
Hi, just reading through the thread and see you are saving for LEDs. I am also.
I have a 48" Coralife CF. I bought it used. I was considering converting it into a T5 fixture since I already replaced the bulbs once and two new ones have gone out on me. The bulbs are costly. Now I don't know if I should just bite the bullet and go for the LEDs (which is a risk since I would be a complete newbie at a DIY build), convert the CF to T5, or just get new CF bulbs (which are 20-30 a piece depending where I get them from).
I just discovered a thread on reef central that looks very promising. There are a bunch of people looking into and getting multi chip LEDs.
http://web1.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2128756
If the link does not work, go to reef central.com search the forums for Minimalistic multi chip DIY LED build.
The two main members helping the others are from Sweden. They really seem to know what they are doing.
I have a 48" Coralife CF. I bought it used. I was considering converting it into a T5 fixture since I already replaced the bulbs once and two new ones have gone out on me. The bulbs are costly. Now I don't know if I should just bite the bullet and go for the LEDs (which is a risk since I would be a complete newbie at a DIY build), convert the CF to T5, or just get new CF bulbs (which are 20-30 a piece depending where I get them from).
I just discovered a thread on reef central that looks very promising. There are a bunch of people looking into and getting multi chip LEDs.
http://web1.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2128756
If the link does not work, go to reef central.com search the forums for Minimalistic multi chip DIY LED build.
The two main members helping the others are from Sweden. They really seem to know what they are doing.
sweatervest13
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SeaMonkey4 http:///t/392340/how-often-do-you-clean-you-whole-skimmer#post_3483304
Hi, just reading through the thread and see you are saving for LEDs. I am also.
I have a 48" Coralife CF. I bought it used. I was considering converting it into a T5 fixture since I already replaced the bulbs once and two new ones have gone out on me. The bulbs are costly. Now I don't know if I should just bite the bullet and go for the LEDs (which is a risk since I would be a complete newbie at a DIY build), convert the CF to T5, or just get new CF bulbs (which are 20-30 a piece depending where I get them from).
I just discovered a thread on reef central that looks very promising. There are a bunch of people looking into and getting multi chip LEDs.
[strike]http://web1.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2128756[/strike]
If the link does not work, go to reef central.com search the forums for Minimalistic multi chip DIY LED build.
The two main members helping the others are from Sweden. They really seem to know what they are doing.
Cool... thanks for the heads up!!
Just a FYI for you... The Mods here frown on links to competitor sites.
I am not sure what kind of LED's I am going for I just know that I don't have the $$ right now (I just bought 2 VorTech MP40 W es's) So I have to cool my jets for a bit or the wife will have my hide. LOL.
Welcome to the site and enjoy your stay!!!
Originally Posted by SeaMonkey4 http:///t/392340/how-often-do-you-clean-you-whole-skimmer#post_3483304
Hi, just reading through the thread and see you are saving for LEDs. I am also.
I have a 48" Coralife CF. I bought it used. I was considering converting it into a T5 fixture since I already replaced the bulbs once and two new ones have gone out on me. The bulbs are costly. Now I don't know if I should just bite the bullet and go for the LEDs (which is a risk since I would be a complete newbie at a DIY build), convert the CF to T5, or just get new CF bulbs (which are 20-30 a piece depending where I get them from).
I just discovered a thread on reef central that looks very promising. There are a bunch of people looking into and getting multi chip LEDs.
[strike]http://web1.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2128756[/strike]
If the link does not work, go to reef central.com search the forums for Minimalistic multi chip DIY LED build.
The two main members helping the others are from Sweden. They really seem to know what they are doing.
Cool... thanks for the heads up!!
Just a FYI for you... The Mods here frown on links to competitor sites.
I am not sure what kind of LED's I am going for I just know that I don't have the $$ right now (I just bought 2 VorTech MP40 W es's) So I have to cool my jets for a bit or the wife will have my hide. LOL.
Welcome to the site and enjoy your stay!!!
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392340/how-often-do-you-clean-you-whole-skimmer#post_3483075
I've only been an avid user of protein skimmers for a year now. Up until then I only used macroalgae and water changes.
My skimmer gave out on my 56g Kuda tank almost 5 months ago....I have a ton of macroalgae in that tank and so far the tank has been just fine, the parameters are all in the good range. I tried replacing the skimmer with a cheap e-bay one but that was a waste of money. I have been worried but the tank seems fine.
Why, if you never bothered with skimmers before, did you start?
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392340/how-often-do-you-clean-you-whole-skimmer#post_3483075
I've only been an avid user of protein skimmers for a year now. Up until then I only used macroalgae and water changes.
My skimmer gave out on my 56g Kuda tank almost 5 months ago....I have a ton of macroalgae in that tank and so far the tank has been just fine, the parameters are all in the good range. I tried replacing the skimmer with a cheap e-bay one but that was a waste of money. I have been worried but the tank seems fine.
Why, if you never bothered with skimmers before, did you start?
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
I bothered with them before in the past on customers aquariums. I had a coralife working on a 55g reef for a little while until i unplugged it. I jus started using skimmers again on my personal tank to try something new and see how it goes. i believe it is helping on my 20g.