Can algae in skimmer body affect performance?

OC CJ · #1 01/09/2008, 10:47 AM

hey guys, i was messing around in my sump last night and happened to stick my head way in there and notice a lot of algae build up on the backside of the skimmer body, closests to my fuge light. there is a lot of algae inside the skimmer.

i'm sure it doesn't help but can that affect performance? if so i'll pull it out this weekend and give it a good cleaning.

thanks,
CJ

SteveOhh · #2 01/09/2008, 10:52 AM

If it creates any type of resistance preventing the water or bubbles reaching the neck, then yes, it's affecting performance. IMO the transistion from where the water level stops & bubbles rise is the miost important part to keep clean. That & the neck!!!!

wishntoboutside · #3 01/09/2008, 10:54 AM

one of my skimmers gets coated with coraline algea every few months i clean it out and i do notice improved perfomance afterwords.

sharkdude · #4 01/09/2008, 12:15 PM

yeah, you may want to use some duct tape or something to block light to that part of skimmer so its doesn't grow too much algae.

OC CJ · #5 01/09/2008, 05:20 PM

well, i guess it's getting a good scrubbing this weekend then. maybe i'll find some black vinal sticker and put that on the back half of the skimmer.

that shouldn't be a problem in the water should it?

five.five-six · #6 01/09/2008, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wishntoboutside
one of my skimmers gets coated with coraline algea every few months i clean it out and i do notice improved perfomance afterwords.

are you cleaning the pump at the same time? I would suspect that might have more influance. I have noticed the same thing but do not know if it is the pump or the chamber

by the way, just set it up in your kitchen sink or a bucket with ~ 5:1 vinegar solution and let it run for a few hours, what is left will just wipe off. make sure to get all the calcium out of the venturi