Wavelength - Current-USA's Monthly eNews
Issue 4
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The following tips are for Current-USA's Fission Skimmer Collection, including the Fission Nano-Skimmer, Fission Re-Circulating skimmers and Fission Power Skimmers. With regular maintenance these skimmers will provide years of superior performance, keeping your aquarium healthy and looking beautiful. Included are some guidelines for maintaining the skimmers with helpful pointers and suggested timelines that you can follow to keep your system looking its best. Always be sure to disconnect all power cords used for the skimmer and its associated pumps prior to beginning maintenance on the skimmer.
A. Keep the collection cup clean It can't be stated enough, but keeping the collection cup clean not only prevents a fowl reminder of your aquarium's biological waste from entering unsuspecting nostrils, but also helps maintain the collecting efficiency of the skimmer. Using freshwater and a bottle brush or old tooth brush, be sure to clean out the residue that collects at the bottom of the cup as well as the inside and outside of the riser tube. Also, make sure to clean the inside of the funnel portion on the main skimmer body that lies just below the collection cup connection. The brush will be a good friend to have with this one. Don't use any detergents, as tempting as it may be, as the collection cup and associated components do come into contact with the aquarium water. Be sure to rinse off the rubber seal that connects the collection cup to the skimmer body. This should be performed at least once per week or more often if the collection cup fills up faster.
B. Clean the pumps The main driving force of the skimmer is the submersible pump used to circulate water and inject air into the skimmer. The skimmer's performance is most often directly related to the performance of this pump, so keeping it clean and running at "full throttle" is vital for maximum skimming potential. Remove the pump from its connection to the skimmer body and remove the airline from its attachment to the pump. Make sure the airline is free of any debris, salt creep or calcium. Access the impeller by removing the cover of the intake portion of the pump. Remove the impeller carefully as well as the impeller shaft and rinse under running water to remove debris and other buildup that can affect its operation. Re- install all parts and check the power cord of the pump for any corrosion. Oxidation of the power plug can be removed with steel wool. Before connecting the pump back to the skimmer, make sure that the connection to the skimmer is free of any debris or salt creep- rinse with freshwater f needed. If your skimmer is the Re- Circulating type, the pump feeding water into the skimmer from the sump will require maintenance as well. Please consult the manufacturer of the pump you are using for injecting water into the skimmer for the best maintenance tips.
C. Clean the Body Although cleaning the main body of the unit is not required as often as the pump or the collection cup, it will help maintain and improve performance and extend the lifespan of the unit. Over time debris and deposits such as calcium, coralline algae, as well as encrusting species will begin to cover the inside of the skimmer. To a certain extent, these can affect the water and airflow through the skimmer, reducing its efficiency. This will obviously affect the look of the skimmer as well. When performing maintenance on the pumps, remove the entire skimmer from operating and rinse carefully with freshwater to remove loose debris from the unit. A mild bleach solution (~1 cup/gallon) can be used to remove more stubborn deposits or nuisance creatures living inside the skimmer body. Make sure to thoroughly rinse the unit and allow to air dry before placing back into operation. The outside of the skimmer can obviously be cleaned more often with a soft moist towel to remove dust and debris.
D. Clean the filter attachment The Fission Re-circulating and Power Skimmers feature filter attachments (sponge and filter bag) to reduce turbulence and micro-bubbles that may escape back into the sump or aquarium. These will become saturated with debris/detritus over time. When cleaning the collection cup (at least once per week) the filter attachment should be removed and thoroughly rinsed to remove debris that can prevent water from flowing freely through the attachment. This may cause back-pressure in the skimmer and an inconsistent water level inside the skimmer. With time the filter attachments may become saturated with debris to a point where cleaning does not improve performance. At this point the filter should be replaced. Please contact your dealer about getting replacement filters. Important: Remove the product immediately from service if any corrosion is found on any of the electrical components
Important: Remove the product immediately from service if any corrosion is found on any of the electrical components
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