Reef Report

 

A few tools of the trade

Let's break this down into a few sections on the pump:


1. Pump inspection. After unplugging the pump and removing, check the impeller needles. Make sure nothing is lodged in between them, carbon, algae or any other debris. This will have a negative effect on bubble size as well as the amount of bubbles produced. Check the magnet for signs of wear, or any cracks. You can then proceed to scrub the needles gently with a old soft toothbrush. If calcium build up is evident put the impeller in a cup submerged in the distilled vinager. The shaft must spin freely in the magnet hole! If not, let the parts soak for about a hour or so. This will loosen the calcium and it wipes off VERY easily! I do not recommend scrubbing any parts too hard, as you may scratch them and this may effect performance!
   
    

   Dirty parts covered with algae, bacteria and debris slow water flow and air flow as well.

   Cleaned with a brush and ready to go!

   
   
2. Clean out the impeller cavity in the pump where the magnet goes with the pipe brush, or the toothbrush will work also. Rinse in warm water.
   
   
3. Ok, now the final phase. I like to take off the Venturi, where the water gets sucked into the pump and clean it out well. from one end to the other. Now the little nipple that the airline attatches to.
   
    

   Pictured is the drill bit and venturi, notice the air inlet or nipple.

   Gently insert the bit into the nipple hole. If it stops, you have debris in there. Spin the venturi while holding the bit stationary. Apply gentle pressure until it cuts through the debris and comes out through the hole.

   
   
4. This nipple gets calcium, carbonate and minerals built up in it on a regular basis an goes unnoticed.If you have a calcium reactor this happens extremely quickly and I recommend once a month doing this procedure! This effects air intake greatly. Please refer to picture number three. I like to take a drill bit and simply spin it though the nipple until it comes out into view through the venturi hole. Make sure the bit fits almost snug, but not to the point where it scraps plastic off the inside of the nipple.
   
    

   Well what do we have here? See the large white chunk of debri on the drill bit tip? Would you believe that came out of the air nipple! A major air restriction!

   I removed some of the debris so you could get a better visual. That's alot!

   
   Many times you will be quite amazed at what comes out on the bit grooves! Quite often mine have been so plugged I have had to really fight to get the bit to go through!!! This makes a night and day difference in air intake.
   
   Now, re-assemble your pump and plug it in. Now get a large glass of filtered fresh water and boil it in the microwave. With the skimmer running and the water lever tube at its lowest setting, submerge the airline into the hot freshwater. This will suck up the hot water cleaning out the salt and debris in the airline. This little trick can be performed weekly if you are a gadget freak like myself and like the skimmer working at peak performance! It cleans and melts all the salt off in seconds!