How to clean a skimmer

[jsb]

I've been fighting a hair algea issue lately, and after reading another thread it's probably from the grocery store bought RO water, but anyway. I have my own RO/Di unit now, and I've been using it for a a few months. I've done a bunch of research on how to remove it, and I'm just about done. I had one final question... I've been clueless to the fact that I need to clean power heads and such that may hold nitrate. I cleaned them on yesterday, and I couldn't believe the stuff that came out of them. I then took my HOB AquaC skimmer, and remove the power and tube and cleaned it. I looked into the skimmer it self and saw a bunch of crap lining the walls and such. Should I try to clean that as well? If so whats a good method, because that thing has a few chambers I don't think I can scrub. Thanks!
Jeremy

 

[dmm0724]

One way i've heard to be pretty easy is to do your cleaning while you do your water changes. Siphon your 10% out into a bucket or two and then rinse your power heads/filter media in this water from the bucket. That way you run less of a risk of contaminating whatever it is that will be going back into the tank.
However...I have heard that you shouldn't rinse all of the media all at once because this may deplete your beneficial bacteria build up? I've been wondering about that....anyone have an answer?