Hot H2O and BK?

[nbd13]

Hey guys i know when i used to have my old ER i would throw some hot RODI water down the air tube once a week to clean the NW....

Should i be doing the same on the BK setup? I figured i should throw some hot RODI water down the slicone tube once a week right?

thanks

Nick

[reefboy1]

Nick,

I do this once a week with my Grotech and H&S and it does greatly improve the skimmate production. I realize these aren't BK's, but I think this cleaning technique works for all recirc skimmers

As a side issue, I also noticed that if hose down my skimmer cup it starts re-making skimmate much faster than if I thoroughly clean it out with a cloth. Have you noticed that?

Art

[Ger]

Yes, Nick, you can do that.

[nbd13]

Thanks Gary,

also how often do i need to clean the skimmer pump? how should i go about cleaning it?

thanks

Nick

[Travis]

As a side issue, I also noticed that if hose down my skimmer cup it starts re-making skimmate much faster than if I thoroughly clean it out with a cloth. Have you noticed that?

Same thing here, I wiped down the neck the first time I cleaned it and it took a couple days to start performing well. Now I just run it under a strong spray of water and it starts skimming again within minutes.

[Aged Salt]

Hey guys i know when i used to have my old ER i would throw some hot RODI water down the air tube once a week to clean the NW....

Should i be doing the same on the BK setup? I figured i should throw some hot RODI water down the slicone tube once a week right?

thanks

Nick

Hi Nick, if you do notice marked skimming inprovement you will need to use the hot-water aspiration > once/wk, Bob

[GTR]

In almost a year the only thing I've done is put the air untake hose under water for a half hour or so couple times a month. The size of the intake along with the calcium bypass may make the cleaning less needed?

SteveU

[jwaltman21]

Anyone know how the anti-lime bypass works (besides Klaus)? Looking at my BK I can't quite understand it. Just curious here....

- Jamie

[GTR]

"Calcium bypass" may be an incorrect name for the device. My understanding is it just supplies a constant supply of water to the back end of the impeller housing. Most (if not all) other pumps may have a heat build-up issiue in the housing and that heat adds to the build-up. So what I believe it's doing is reducing the operating temperature of the impeller and chamber and hence the build up is slower to form.

SteveU

[Orion76]

Same thing here, I wiped down the neck the first time I cleaned it and it took a couple days to start performing well. Now I just run it under a strong spray of water and it starts skimming again within minutes.

While a dirty neck prevents foam from rising, the slimey biofilm that builds up over a few days makes it easier for the foam to rise than if the riser tube were completely clean. It probably works as some sort of a lubricant

Personally I rinse the neck under the tap and wipe it with my bare hand and put it straight back into operation without letting it dry. Cleaning this way and doing it often (at least EOD) will also save you the hassle of having to re-dial in the skimmer each time you clean the cup.

Nick - before you do your hot water bath I'd also do a vinegar bath

[nbd13]

Thanks guys,

i am trying to do it once a week and will watch to see if i see any improvements.

Nick

[jwaltman21]

"Calcium bypass" may be an incorrect name for the device. My understanding is it just supplies a constant supply of water to the back end of the impeller housing. Most (if not all) other pumps may have a heat build-up issiue in the housing and that heat adds to the build-up. So what I believe it's doing is reducing the operating temperature of the impeller and chamber and hence the build up is slower to form.

SteveU

Thanks Steve. That makes sense.

Jamie

[OUinLA]

Steve is right, calcium is attracted to heat, by putting a stream of water where heat builds up, it helps keep it cool.

If you clean your riser tube with hot water, it will skim faster.