Skimmer not skimming

[Dimmy007]

So recently I noticed my 6 month old skimmer was not doing the best job. I took it out and cleaned it completely. Or at least I thought that I did. It seemed to work better empty the canister once. I look again this morning and the skimmer is just moving clear water. Usually I’ll put my finger on the air hose and it will move the water. I noticed that it did not move at all. So I took of the air hose blew through it and it was clean. Checked the air hole entering the pump and sure enough it was completely clogged with salt. Had to actually use a screw and twist it to break the salt out. Plugged the hose back in and it started working like brand new. Thought I would write something up just to let anyone know. I would never have thought salt would clog that hole. Picture is of where the clog was.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Good job finding the culprit This reminds me to take my skimmer out and give it a deep cleaning

 

[Scurvy]

I find this same obstruction in the venturi of my Nyos too. Sheet rock screw through the blockage to yank it out works great. I thought it only happened on the Nyos. Or at least nyos owners are the ones who shout about it most often.

Not sure its salt... i actually think its some other type of deposit as salt would disolve and isnt usually that hard.

 

[Dimmy007]

I find this same obstruction in the venturi of my Nyos too. Sheet rock screw through the blockage to yank it out works great. I thought it only happened on the Nyos. Or at least nyos owners are the ones who shout about it most often.

Not sure its salt... i actually think its some other type of deposit as salt would disolve and isnt usually that hard.

That’s true. I was wondering why it would have clogged with salt. You’re right it has to be some other deposit in there.

 

[Breadman03]

I squirt a bit of RODI into my Venturi a couple times a week as a preventive measure.

 

[fish farmer]

Most likely scale deposits. I get deposits like this on pure oxygen lines going into freshwater degassing systems at work. It always happened where there is water and air mixing.