AquaC Remora Nylon Injector Screw PITA!

Long story short, I was cleaning my Remora for the first time and attempted to remove the white nylon screw on top of the injector intake. Well, because the screw had swelled from the water exposure, I was unable to get it out with a flathead and proceeded to basically destroyed the thing trying to get it out.

The real pita is that it's threaded so I don't want to screw up the internal thread housing of the tube and I'm unsure the best way to get it out. I had have called Remora and they sent me 2 new sturdier screws but I am not sure the best way to get the original remnants out.

I have tried numerous screw drivers, pliers, reverse threading a longer screw. hammering a flathead in there and twisting. I guess I'll have to carefully drill the piece out or maybe wait for it to dry and shrink? The dang thing doesn't want to move. I wonder if any others have been through this?

Also, I ususally run my skimmer 24/7 how bad is it that I haven't for the past few days dealing with this? How long can I go without using the Skimmer without having water issues?

Thanks,
Joe

 

Ugh - I remember that screw. Perhaps there is salt build up - have you tried vinegar?

 

You could try an extractor kit. I've used one a few times with broken bolts or stripped screws on my cars. Should make short work of a nylon screw I would imagine.

I've also had luck with using the cutting wheel on a dremel tool to score a deep groove to fit a flat head. Of course this only works if there's enough material left. You could also try a small/med set of vice grips to bite down on to what's left and try spin it out that way.

I don't know, maybe even freezing it for awhile to try and stiffen up the nylon screw, but would be careful as the acrylic body might become more brittle as well..

Good luck

 

Thanks Matt & Crank I will try some of your advice and see if I can get this thing out of there!

BTW on my question of "is it ok to not skim for a few days", will my tank be ok? I will be doing a water change tommorrow.

 

You should be fine. My old insump skimmer would run for 2 days straight without putting anything in the cup

 

Sounds like you will be fine. You can always stick an air-stone in somewhere to help pH and ORP I suppose in the meantime if you want. People tend to freak on this suggestion for saltwater but you see where I am coming from. Short answer - you are fine - especially with water-change.

 

Thanks again for the re-assurance guys!

 

Good luck!

 

Just drill it out.