Cleaning the airline?

Discussion in 'Protein Skimmers' started by david, Feb 28, 2004.

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  1. david

    david Peppermint Shrimp

    Joined:
    May 31, 2003
    Messages:
    417
    Location:
    Springfield,Vermont
    The airline on my skimmer will build up salt inside. It happens right in front of where the air line meets the pump. How do you guys clean this out? If I let it build up then my skimmer will over skim and start pumping water right out the waste line and spill onto the floor? Sometimes when I clean it it looks clean but after and hour of running the salt will be there again. Is this just a pain you have to deal with or am I doing something wrong?
    Please help
     
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  3. Phil5613

    Phil5613 Purple Spiny Lobster

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2003
    Messages:
    492
    Location:
    Wheaton, Illinois
    i usually dip the open end of the airline in warm ro water and let it suck the water through the line but i watch the waste output and as soon as it starts to seep pull the line out of the glass.
     
  4. david

    david Peppermint Shrimp

    Joined:
    May 31, 2003
    Messages:
    417
    Location:
    Springfield,Vermont
    WoW!
    That is slick! worked awsome how often do you have to do it? My skimmer dosen't put out that much waste. I belive that is because it's a big skimmer and I don't have a very high bio-load. I wonder sometimes that I don't have it properly set up?
    I know the fittings and pump are together correctly but as for the air and output? some days I have to open the output to keep it from overskimming (like if you leave the airline in the water) Any tips for basic air/output settings?
    Thanks again phil that is way easier that what I was doing!