protein skimmer cup cleaners

[NYreefNOOB]

almost 20 years of using a skimmer i have never used one. i do have them for 2 of the skimmers i have but never used them. i mean it only takes me 5 minutes to clean it every couple of weeks. are they worth the use ?

 

[blaxsun]

What are they?

 

[workhz]

Are you talking about the rubber squeegee things that rotate? Mine has one but I’m not sure what the point is. Never used it for its intended purpose after that first couple of tries.

 

[NYreefNOOB]

Are you talking about the rubber squeegee things that rotate? Mine has one but I’m not sure what the point is. Never used it for its intended purpose after that first couple of tries.

yes. i have a apex that i would control them with. came with 2 of the skimmers i have. just cant see scraping neck crude back into skimmer body.

 

[NYreefNOOB]

What are they?

 

[Sean Clark]

I have one and wouldn't run a skimmer without one. Couple it with a skimmate collection reservoir and you are maintenance free for months on end. I really do not understand why these are not more prevalent / popular.

 

[blaxsun]

I have one and wouldn't run a skimmer without one. Couple it with a skimmate collection reservoir and you are maintenance free for months on end. I really do not understand why these are not more prevalent / popular.

I may not have the clearance with my current setup, but maybe the next tank...

 

[Natural_Reefer]

I have one and wouldn't run a skimmer without one. Couple it with a skimmate collection reservoir and you are maintenance free for months on end. I really do not understand why these are not more prevalent / popular.

I have Avast Swabbie and Definitely one of the best purchases ever. Havent cleann my skimmer in months.

 

[NYreefNOOB]

so let me ask those using one, i do have a waste collector also. but when you use it where does the neck skimmate go ? does it lift it up into the cup ? or knocks if off and goes back into the body ?

 

[Sean Clark]

so let me ask those using one, i do have a waste collector also. but when you use it where does the neck skimmate go ? does it lift it up into the cup ? or knocks if off and goes back into the body ?

I often see this referred to as a potential "down side" to using a neck cleaner. It can be true that some buildup could fall back down into the skimmer body if you are using a manual neck cleaner. If you have an automatic neck cleaner then this never needs to be a problem unless you choose to only run it once in a while.

I run mine for 1 minute every hour so there never is any buildup inside of the neck.

 

[Natural_Reefer]

I often see this referred to as a potential "down side" to using a neck cleaner. It can be true that some buildup could fall back down into the skimmer body if you are using a manual neck cleaner. If you have an automatic neck cleaner then this never needs to be a problem unless you choose to only run it once in a while.

I run mine for 1 minute every hour so there never is any buildup inside of the neck.

Absolutely agree! It takes the Avast Swabbie 45 seconds to go around the neck once so I am running 4 minutes every 2 hours and it is more than enough. My skimmer cup looked a bit dirty after a 6 weeks so I took it out to clean and sure enough the neck was spotless. I haven't touch it in months since then.
To answer the OP question regarding skimmate locker/collector, yes it is much more efficient with it since all you have to do is empty to container (vs. Taking the whole thing out when the cup is fulled)

 

[Sean Clark]

Not that pics will sway anyone because they can be faked... but I'll post mine anyway. Main focus being the neck area below the cup. This was last cleaned on November 26. I have previously gone over a year without touching the collection cup. The neck looked the same.