Skimmers - How often do you clean them?

[btymens]

Just curious, as to when or how often do you guys clean your skimmers?

[Enigma]

Once every couple of months.

I'm bad.

[emerald crab]

Collection cup, venturi, pump weekly. Skimmer body once, twice a year.

[MarkoD]

collection cup and neck of the skimmer every 3-5 days.

pump and body every 6 months or so

[Enigma]

I should note that my collection drains into a separate container. Hence my laziness when it comes to cleaning it.

[emerald crab]

Originally Posted by Enigma

I should note that my collection drains into a separate container. Hence my laziness when it comes to cleaning it.

With that setup you're looking for trouble. Think about skimmer going crazy, overflowing. That's scary.

[scherzo]

Originally Posted by emerald crab

With that setup you're looking for trouble. Think about skimmer going crazy, overflowing. That's scary.

I have a similar setup when I go away on vacation. I use a couple of float switches to turn off the skimmer if it overflows.

I clean mine weekly.

[Enigma]

Originally Posted by scherzo

I have a similar setup when I go away on vacation. I use a couple of float switches to turn off the skimmer if it overflows.

I clean mine weekly.

Excellent idea! I'd have to change the vessel I'm using, but that's definately something worth adding to my "to do" list. I'd rather not have the skimmer overflow into anything: sump included. I really don't want skimmate going back into the system.

[RuGlu6]

few points:

• will depend on feeding, heavily fed tank will require more frequent skimmer cleaning
• as someone mentioned before clean skimmer performs better
• average skimmer will extract waste easier from dirtier water, however not so good skimmer will stop skimming earlier then a better one
• go by the air water mixing provided by the OEM; the more L of air per hour the better. Obviously there is more to look at when buying the skimmer but this is one of the main parameters.

My skimmer needs cleaning every second day because i feed heavily, and skimmer is very efficient in waste removal.
more pics and description on page one.

[Aysha]

I clean mine when I change my filter sock about every 3 days.
I've got 80 gallons of water with 2 clownfish, a goby and a pygmy angel So maybe I'm a bit over cautious.
I do a 10 gallon water change every 2 weeks.

I love love love the skimmer I got from Wayne.
It's the easiest thing in the world to change and clean.
http://www.fishtanksdirect.com/Urchi...wMag5Pump.aspx

Overkill? just a teeeny bit.
that being said I'd rather clean my skimmer twice as often and forget about my filter sock! I HATE THOSE THINGS! EW!