JNS Skimmer Issue with Crazing

[italquam]

Hi does anyone know what would cause crazing in a Protein skimmer collection cup. I have a JNS CO-2 skimmer and there is a lot of crazing in the skimmer cup.

 

[Diesel]

Hi does anyone know what would cause crazing in a Protein skimmer collection cup. I have a JNS CO-2 skimmer and there is a lot of crazing in the skimmer cup.

pics?

 

[italquam]

 

[Diesel]

Yesterday I talked to a acrylic fabricator about cracks appearing in the acrylic and he told me that manufactures cutting down on the type and quality of the acrylics in order to keep the price competitive.
This can happen due to some chemicals in the water but won't affect the performance of the skimmer, just the appearance is bad.
IMO I care less on how my skimmer looks like as it is hidden in the sump anyways.
Although my Lifereef skimmers that I have for years doesn't have that problem, it is just scratched up but still going 100% after all these years.

 

[italquam]

Yesterday I talked to a acrylic fabricator about cracks appearing in the acrylic and he told me that manufactures cutting down on the type and quality of the acrylics in order to keep the price competitive.
This can happen due to some chemicals in the water but won't affect the performance of the skimmer, just the appearance is bad.
IMO I care less on how my skimmer looks like as it is hidden in the sump anyways.
Although my Lifereef skimmers that I have for years doesn't have that problem, it is just scratched up but still going 100% after all these years.

I understand it has no issue on performance just trying to figure out what might have caused it. Also, not happy that the seller said it was in great condition and I open it up to this issue.

How quiet is the lifereef skimmer, I have heard good reviews on them

 

[Diesel]

I understand it has no issue on performance just trying to figure out what might have caused it. Also, not happy that the seller said it was in great condition and I open it up to this issue.

How quiet is the lifereef skimmer, I have heard good reviews on them

It's as quite as other skimmers.
I have my airline pulling air from outside the house with a AC filter at the end to filter out all stuff in the air.
Dropped a Vectra M1 on it as pump and it is going strong, matter the fact if I let it running 24 hrs it will pull all the nutrients to undetectable.
That's why the pump as I have it set to skim for 8 hrs as of now during the day but it reduces the flow to 50% and no skimming for 16hrs mainly during the lights off period.
Yet the flow through the skimmer will continue.

 

[italquam]

Sounds like a nice skimmer , what model do you have, any pictures??

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Crazing is caused by stress. but what is the source of the stress? it appears as if you bought it used and didn't know about the crazing ahead of time?

In this instance, I'm guessing he cleaned it with an ammonia based cleaner (Windex, etc) and that's what caused the crazing.

It doesn't necessarily have to do with the quality of the acrylic. even the highest quality acrylic can still craze if the correct type of stress is applied.

I also highly doubt chemicals in the water had anything to do with it.

 

[Diesel]

I have no problem with my lifereef skimmer and mine will go so now and then in the dishwasher

I also highly doubt chemicals in the water had anything to do with it.

^^^^^^^ How about chemicals pulled through the air into the skimmer............ as stated on the coralvue website?
I'm sure you familiar to that

https://coralvue.com/support/693667-Acrylic-crazing-or-cracking

 

[Kamozreef]

Has the cup been washed in hot water at all? The heat could cause it to expand and do that as it acrylic glued into a channel in the base. As long as it doesn't affect the performance i wouldn't worry about it