How do YOU clean your skimmer cup?

[javajaws]

After seeing the other thread about using (or not using) bare hands in your tank - what does everybody do to clean their skimmer cup? Unless I have some open wound on my hand I just bare hand the thing in the sink until its clean then scrub my hands down with soap afterwards. Luckily my cup comes apart into a few pieces so its easy to get it all clean with just my fingers.

But who here thinks (and agrees with me) that using your bare hand on that dirty skimmer cup is something only sick reef people do and instead only use a brush or something else that doesn't require you to touch it?

 

[mjszos]

Take the cup out of the sump cabinet, blast it with the shower mode on my utility sink, then clean it up with a melamine sponge... Then I wash my hands.

 

[Doctorgori]

I have Red Sea skimmers that come with a twist top thingy …
For some weird reason that concentrated poop seems like it should have some resale value, … ..but perhaps I just lack imagination LOL

 

[ScottJ]

I just use paper towels and running water. I don;t worry about getting anything on me, no gloves or anything. I have a little brush that gets into the nooks and crannies.

 

[FUNGI]

Dollar Tree:

 

[zheka757]

I don't have a privilege of having utility sink, and if I did I probably still wont dump it in there, skimmer collection stinks whole room when you open it. why stink up the room with it? I take the cup outside and wash/ rinse it out with garden hose on a grass. in fact I just did it last night, and it was pretty chilly job last night here in Florida. it was first one of the cold days here.

 

[mjszos]

I have Red Sea skimmers that come with a twist top thingy …
For some weird reason that concentrated poop seems like it should have some resale value, … ..but perhaps I just lack imagination LOL

Allow me to introduce you to your new business venture.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I just use a toothbrush, but I don't worry about. Being a wild dirty kid in the 70's made me immune to everything.

 

[fish farmer]

After seeing the other thread about using (or not using) bare hands in your tank - what does everybody do to clean their skimmer cup? Unless I have some open wound on my hand I just bare hand the thing in the sink until its clean then scrub my hands down with soap afterwards. Luckily my cup comes apart into a few pieces so its easy to get it all clean with just my fingers.

But who here thinks (and agrees with me) that using your bare hand on that dirty skimmer cup is something only sick reef people do and instead only use a brush or something else that doesn't require you to touch it?

I do the same, hand, sink under hot water, rinse hands.

FWIW I've been working with freshwater salmonids for 30 years, arm deep in culture water, splashed with fish waste and other bodily fluids. I scramble around fresh and saltwater habitats fishing, my immune system must be pretty tough.

But I can't even look at poison ivy without getting a rash.

 

[KrisReef]

Dollar Tree:

Do you toss them afterwards?

 

[FUNGI]

Do you toss them afterwards?

Nope....just a quick rinse under hot water, air dry........good to go again.

 

[bakbay]

Super easy for me - took less than 5min. In fact, I just did it last night.
1. Take off the skimmer overflow sensor magnet
2. Untwist the skimmer cup
3. Hose down in shower & wipe with paper towels
4. Re-assemble

 

[Reefer Matt]

Rub with bare hands and running water in utility sink. Wife loves the smell.

 

[KrisReef]

After seeing the other thread about using (or not using) bare hands in your tank - what does everybody do to clean their skimmer cup?

A properly tuned skimmer never needs to be cleaned. Just let them run, stink and evaporate without touching it.

But who here thinks (and agrees with me) that using your bare hand on that dirty skimmer cup is something only sick reef people do and instead only use a brush or something else that doesn't require you to touch it?

One a year or so I will take the cup off and blast it with a water hose on the lawn. If I do wipe it down then I just lick my fingers off and put the cup back on for another year.

 

[KrisReef]

Nope....just a quick rinse under hot water, air dry........good to go again.

Where do you store these used items? They gotta wreak for weeks until they dry out?

 

[OrchidMiss]

Mine get dumped into the utility sink in the laundry room and blasted with the spray mode, as well.
I have a similar stiff bristled brush that came with my Tunze skimmers. I don't touch that sludge, though. Too many other things it reminds one of as a nurse.
I run mine fairly wet and clean them ~weekly, depending on how heavily I feed.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Bottle Brush from when we had a commercial bar sink.

 

[FUNGI]

and for the internal body.......Dollar Tree Toilet Brush (Brush Buddies)....
don't judge.

 

[edsbeaker]

Dump in utility sink, faucet sprayer to get the crud off, and paper towels to get what’s left. I’m not afraid to touch concentrated…hmm whatever it is.

Then I make dinner, of course.

 

[FUNGI]

Where do you store these used items? They gotta wreak for weeks until they dry out?

They are under sink, but a quick rinse usually cleans them out ......and they dont reek at all.