Skimmer cleaning

[SkyShark]

My skimmer (a Tunze 9004) is about due for a good cleaning. Should the skimmer be on while it is soaking in a bucket? Would this help clean out anything built up in the pump? Also, what ratio of water to vinegar is best? I will thoroughly rinse it before putting it back in the tank.

 

[SynDen]

Been thinking mine is about due for this same treatment, so tagging along

 

[Munch]

Not sure if it matters, I usually soak mine, then let it run with the cleaning stuff, then rinse.

 

[SkyShark]

Not sure if it matters, I usually soak mine, then let it run with the cleaning stuff, then rinse.

How long do you typically soak it for?

 

[jahmic]

I usually wipe the skimmer down as best I can to get all the loose gunk out, then run it in a bucket with hot tap water and vinegar for about 2 hours. Then rinse in RO.

For that HOB skimmer you could probably rig it on a small bucket...I use to use a short 2.5 gal bucket with my HOB and ran 50/50 vinegar to water. Granted, using 1 gal of vinegar for a single cleaning is a lot...but it allowed me to get it done in a couple hours and have everything hooked back up that same day. At lower concentrations of vinegar (~25%) I found that I had to usually run the skimmer overnight for it to come out clean.

 

[Cherub]

water hose with adjustable nozzle outback... works like a charm

 

[Munch]

I run a day or two, nice overview of the process:

[video=youtube;9pGhGAuVn9E]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pGhGAuVn9E&feature=player_embedded[/video]