Is the inside of the neck of a protein skimmer supposed to get dirty?

Porcupine Reefer

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 1, 2023
Messages
91
Reaction score
52
Location
Colorado springs
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I have a protein skimmer that is taking waste out of my aquarium, but not only is waste in the collection cup, but its also collecting on the inside of the skimmers neck making a thick sludge, is that supposed to happen? My tank is a heavy bioload system that has a porcupine puffer, snowflake eel, melanurus wrasse, blue hippo tang and clownfish (one of each). If the skimmer is being overloaded does it mean I have to upgrade?
 

dedragon

5000 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 23, 2019
Messages
5,895
Reaction score
4,399
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
depends how fast the skimmer cup is fulling up if you need to upgrade, but you will always need to clean a skimmer neck over time
 

Sisterlimonpot

Effortless Perfection
View Badges
Joined
Jul 15, 2009
Messages
3,800
Reaction score
7,814
Location
Litchfield Park
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
That's normal. Years back the popular way to solve for that was an automated squeegee.

There was discussion about how skimmate builds up on the neck prevents the natural flow of bubbles. But as long as you're cleaning it as part of your normal routine, you'll be fine.
 

Mastering the art of locking and unlocking water pathways: What type of valves do you have on your aquarium plumbing?

  • Ball valves.

    Votes: 42 48.3%
  • Gate valves.

    Votes: 46 52.9%
  • Check valves.

    Votes: 20 23.0%
  • None.

    Votes: 22 25.3%
  • Other.

    Votes: 9 10.3%
Back
Top