How to keep your skimmer clean ALOT longer

[DanStL]

Back when my reef was running I had a hunch that turned out to work great for keeping crud from building up inside the skimmer neck and collection cup. I waxed as far down inside the skimmer as I could reach, and waxed all the inside surfaces of the collection cup. It made a HUGE difference keeping the neck clean for a much longer time. Crud just couldn't adhere to it, and it made its way up into the collection cup instead. It also made cleaning out the collection cup much easier.

I tried two different waxes over the course of a few months, Mothers carnuba wax and Klasse Super Glaze. They Klasse seemed to work better, and lasted a long time before needing a new application. The Mothers worked great though, and it is readily availible.

I would think most car polish/waxes would work - you just might want to rinse the skimmer out to remove any buffing residue before using.

I used it on my ER ES5-3, but i would think the concept would work to improve the skimming efficiency and lower maintenence on any skimmer.

 

[aquamom]

Thanks for the suggestions! Anything that would make bi-weekly maintenance easier is a bonus!

 

[fishieness]

id be worried about getting something bad in the tank.

 

[APISTOBORELLI]

id be worried about getting something bad in the tank.

Same here......

 

[Scuba_Dave]

Yeah, not sure I'd wanna wax it

I find that having the wife clean it keeps it clean


I also found out happens when I ask the wife to clean it

 

[DanStL]

after using both waxes I noticed nothing unusual, except a clean skimmer neck

The Klasse Super glaze is made from acrylic, just like skimmers. I wonder if that is why it adheres so well. The mothers wax is just carnuba wax, im sure just putting your hand in the tank introduces more oils/waxes...

 

[scavdog]

Interesting Dan. However, I'd be interested to research this some more before I tried it. Keep us posted. Have any pics?

-Joe

 

[DanStL]

I don't have any pics, ive neglected the skimmer for months as it is just keeping my live rock alive siting in the "display". Are you interested in seeing the skimmer in action, or how to apply?

By research do you mean keeping an eye out for possible toxicity? I searched all the reef forums, and found no mention of it, so any research will have to be done by us

It has worked for me, but I guess if you had a dialed in setup you could be worried about possible toxins. Just checking the manufacturer websites, they dont list the MSDS, but im sure they could be requested.

Here is the klasse super glaze:

http://www.autogeek.net/klasse.html

"High Gloss Sealant Glaze creates an elastic, non-chip, shrink-proof, heat and scratch resistant - protective seal against ultraviolet rays, salt water, acid rain and industrial pollutants for up to 12 months. Use this glaze on all paints with or without clear coats, glass, fiberglass, Plexiglass, plastics, metal surfaces, enamel, tiles, Formica and all non-porous surfaces. It is anti-static, non-abrasive and contains no ingredients harmful to paint, metal or plastic."

This stuff works GREAT, either on the skimmer neck, a car, anything really.

If anyone wants to give it a shot and is worried, they could always buy 100% pure brazillian carnuba wax, but I don't think it's nessesary.

I'm curious to see someone try this on a becket type skimmer, as I've heard they are very prone to crud build-up cutting down on efficiency.

 

[emabie]

This sounds interesting. I have an MRC skimmer that is beckett style. I might give this a try. although I think i'll try the 100% carnuba.

 

[this is me]

This is interesting.
I avoid touching the tank after I waxed my car. I thought the chemical in the wax would kill the tank.

 

[stang8s]

sounds scary to me, I wouldnt put any auto products near my tank. Perhaps pure bees wax would be a better idea?

 

[emabie]

I would think that as wax floats in water that any that comes off will just end up in the skimmer waste. Maybe i'll try the bees wax. Do you know where to get some?

 

[waltm]

Home Depot, plumbing department. The wax rings used to install a toilet are pure beeswax.

 

[rjdudek]

I would not use the wax from a toilet ring. I used to raise bees and can tell you for sure the wax in a toilet ring is modified in some way. bees wax is firm and dry at normal temperatures. Toilet rings are tacky and soft for years. Most livestock/feed store carry comb starter sheets that are 100% natural bee wax. You can get a dozen for about $2 (in 1995). Take the excess and roll them tightly around a cotton string and you get a nice candle that will smell great and burn very clean or try raising bees, it is not difficult.

 

[waltm]

Oh, Thanks for the info, guess I should have checked my sources better

 

[emabie]

sounds like it might be easier to just clean the skimmer.

 

[RichConley]

This is a pretty decent idea.

I've got a skimmer thats way oversized, and as such, a lot just collects in the neck. Maybe this is the answer.

 

[Yaktop]

good thinking but IMO the wax has to go somewhere and if someone cant verify it goes into the collection cup I'm not about to use it.

 

[ScooterNH]

On a related note: If it turns out to be completely safe for the skimmer, then wouldn't it be just as safe to apply to the inside/front pane of an acrylic tank? May not need to scrape the surface as much???

 

[scavdog]

On a related note: If it turns out to be completely safe for the skimmer, then wouldn't it be just as safe to apply to the inside/front pane of an acrylic tank? May not need to scrape the surface as much???

Even if it is proven to be safe & effective, I would think you would cloud the crap out of your acrylic with wax.