ASM G2 air blocking

[gparr]

I run ASM G2 skimmers on both of my tanks and the air nozzle seems to plug up about every three days. I either remove the plastic part and air hose and clean it out with vinegar and a paper clip or keep the skimmers running and dip the air hose in RO/DI water to flush out the deposits. I ran the skimmers for months without a problem. But now they seem to be plugging up quite regularly. This is getting to be a real nuisance. Are there any things I can do to prevent the deposits from accumulating?
Gary

 

[Ladipyg]

Gary, is it plugging up at the top or where it goes into the pump?

 

[gparr]

The little pipe to which the rubber hose connects is what is plugging with salt and, eventually, calcium deposits. Cleaning calcium deposits every couple of weeks is not an issue. It's the salt deposits that block the air every two to three days that is annoying.
Gary

 

[Hypertek99]

Are you talking about the white venturi tube?? You know something i do maintainance for a few people and they all run this skimmer and i noticed this week that 3 of them were clogged. I was like hmm the skimmers aren't pulling out any gunk lately and that's how i found out the venturi was clogged. The cause is the heater has been on a lot more lately and the water is evaporated faster so the water is splashing on the tube and clogging it up. I don't know if that's what is going on with yours.

 

[Ladipyg]

If it's plugging at the top where the screw is for the air adjustment, clean the threads well and rub it down with silicone gasket grease. If your pump needs to be cleaned out, it may not be pulling hard enough to keep things clear. I took a dremel tool and very carefully made the inside diameter of the nub that the white hose hooks up to bigger. Check for something at the base of that hole inside..., if necessary soak the venturi attachment in vinegar and then rub a little silicon gasket lube inside, use a pipe cleaner to get some inside the tube area.