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Protein Skimmer on the Fritz

J

Jon

NJRC Member
About 1 week ago I did my routine biweekly water change... I was in a rush and overdosed the alkalinity (raised the level to 13) and this created a huge white cloud in my tank for about a half hour. Since than my tank inhabitants are fine but my protein skimmer (Tunze 9010) has not been the same. Sometimes it will produce a great thick dry foam and other times it will not produce anything. When this happens I will take the collection cup off of the skimmer,clean it and also will turn the air valve all the way off and than back on to its correct spot. This will correct the problem for about a day or less and than I have to repeat this process.

My water parameters are: PH 8.3, Alk 11, Calcium 440, Magnesium 1500, phosphates .25, nitrates 0

What do you think I should do? I am contemplating taking the skimmer out of my sump and cleaning it. But this is a PITA and don't want to do this unless it is a last resort.

As always thanks for your thoughts - Jon
 
ricwilli

ricwilli

Hey Jon. I have the same skimmer but not in use right now as I replaced it with another skimmer. Just remove the skimmer from the sump and run it in vinegar and water for a few hours. Sometimes I just took the whole thing apart and cleaned it. You should be OK without it for one day. It might start acting up again until the cloudiness is gone.
 
C

calaxa

You have a clog somewhere from carbonate/salt buildup. I'm not familiar with the particular skimmer but you can try to clean as much as you can (air inlets, cup, chassis, tubes, etc.) but I think what ric's suggestion is only one that will work for sure. I know you said you don't want to take out of sump, but I think you will have to.
 
redfishbluefish

redfishbluefish

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Obviously a clog somewhere of that snowy precipitate that formed.

Not familiar with this skimmer, but one note of caution - If it has rubber parts, dipping or running the entire skimmer in vinegar will cause the rubber to break down. If you can take it apart, soak individual parts in vinegar, and than reassemble.
 
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