Skimmer question, advice What do you have?

[JVH]

I have posted something about this before. I have a Cad Lights pipe less skimmer and it was during a search that I found other have had problems with this little rubber piece clogging up After 2 or 3 days then the skimmer turn into a water pump and shoots water through the tiny holes on top of the cup!
I am under the impression that a good skimmer needs to be emptied maybe a few times a week depending on how much its skimming and during the water changes It needs to be cleaned out totally and maybe every 3 or 4 months you need to break it down to thoroughly clean it and do normal maintenance on it..
So once a week or even 2x a week we are fooling with the stupid little nipple thingy then it takes DAYS to get back to skimming normal. My hubby said he thinks ALL skimmers are like that.
He is only recently started getting into this hobby to help me with the plumbing since I upgraded to a sump. I keep telling him something is just not right! We should be cleaning the cup when full and breakdown every few month or sooner if it looks like it needs it. NOT 2x a week!

Am I wrong? What skimmers do you all have? How many times do you need to do anything other than empty and clean the collection cup? He think all skimmers will require that much. I say NO!
I really appreciate any info! I'm so sick of this stupid skimmer

 

[ermartin]

I have the same brand skimmer and i will say it did clog once in the 4-6 months since i have had it but it was partially my fault as i stirred up the sump chamber it was located in and some large sand like particles clogged the air intake. This is the only time this has happened to me. I have the same exact skimmer on another tank and have no issues with clogging. The only cleaning i do is when i empty the cup about every 5 days or so i do clean the neck portion of the main body but that's about it. It works Well for me but i wont say its the greatest skimmer i have ever owned . it fits the space i needed and works "well" The best skimmer i ever owned was by I believe Aqua-Euro they made some great skimmers but i believe they have since gone out of bushiness or at least don't do business in the US..

The keys to this skimmer are a constant water level. any real fluctuation and it wont work as intended. its definitely less forgiving than some other skimmers ive used. And there are definitely some better skimmers out there.

What is it that is clogging your skimmer constantly ?

 

[ermartin]

the aqua-euro has either dramatically changed or i was wrong about that brand as nothing looks like the one i owned some years back when i do a search


EDIT aha it was a Euro-Reef and as i thought they are long gone unfortunatly

 

[JVH]

What is it that is clogging your skimmer constantly ?[/QUOTE]

Well I believe t is salt! The holes is so tiny! And it takes forever to get going again! I've heard other negative stiff regarding that skimmer but I am a bit hopeful; hearing you don't have much issue. Since the tank is newish and I'm still adding and moving my hands are always in the tank and maybe that's enough to throw the skimmer off...I will make note of what happens when I stick my hand in the tank.
Thansl

 

[prdubois]

If the part where the air hose connects is clogging, then it is calcium buildup not salt.