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peiji 
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 Topic: Protein Skimmer just died 2 days before vacation
Posted: December 17 2014 at 10:53pm |
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Should I be worried? My protein skimmer just died and I'll be gone for 12 days. I don't think I have time to get a new pump. I've never run my tank before without skimming but I know there are some who don't skim at all. Right now my Nitrates are 0. How long will that last without skimming? No idea.
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Jared Page
Highland, UT
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peiji
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Posted: December 17 2014 at 11:35pm |
On closer inspection, it looks like the rod that goes inside the magnetic part of the impeller (sorry I don't know all the technical terms) broke in half. Who knows how. Is it possible to get a new one? I've looked all over online. Here's the broken part below. Is it even possible to find something like that at a hardware store? Looks like any non-metal rod of the same size would do.
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Jared Page
Highland, UT
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love2skiutah
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Posted: December 17 2014 at 11:43pm |
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One less thing to worry about :) Just feed very lightly.
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: December 18 2014 at 6:45am |
I agree with Aaron. I feed once daily. When going on vacation I always have my experienced hobbyist tank sitter (Jake Pehrson) feed only once every 2 or three days. That's 1/3 - 1/2 as much as usual. That way the tank eats everything it gets and there is no waste even for the biofiltration to eat. The tank looks a bit cleaner when I return home. There is no substitute for having an experienced hobbyist do the tank sitting when the owner is to be gone for more than 5 days.
That is a ceramic post. A new post comes with a new impeller which costs anywhere from $35-$80 online, though there might be one floating around with someone here. What pump (brand and model) does it fit and exactly how long is it? Please feel free to post here and also text/call me so I can respond immediately if I have one. I could easily come your way because I have another stop in your direction.
Aloha, Mark  808-345-1039
P.S. I would not use a metallic post. Finding a stainless steel rod that is also stainless steel at the ends will be practically impossible.
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peiji
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Posted: December 18 2014 at 7:08am |
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Actually, i suddenly just got the inspiration to try the inside of a pen. It was the perfect diameter and I think rigid enough to do the job. I just tried it and it works like a charm so far. The pump was a TIA iB 350 made for a Cadlights Protein Skimmer. I don't even remember the model.
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Jared Page
Highland, UT
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Dion Richins
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Posted: December 18 2014 at 7:12am |
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Inside of a pen? Like with ink?
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peiji
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Posted: December 18 2014 at 8:45am |
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Yes but the ink was gone of course and it's well rinsed.
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Jared Page
Highland, UT
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Reefboy4life
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Posted: December 18 2014 at 9:11am |
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Lol that's crazy I bought my return pump that I am using now on my 24 gal from a yard sale and the same shaft was broke in half, I used the inside of a mechanical led pencil washed really good, been running no problems for 5 months now, should work fine for you as well.
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90 gallon mixed reef
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Adam Blundell
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Posted: December 18 2014 at 9:32am |
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Leave it off, worry about it when you get back.
Adam
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Come to a meeting, they’re fun!
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jwoo
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Posted: December 18 2014 at 10:35am |
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I've got a spare skimmer I'm not using at the moment if you want to borrow it. It's a Euro Reef with a Mag 9. Was using it on my 120. Let me know if you want to borrow it.
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None at the moment
Soon: 72 Gallon Bowfront
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peiji
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Posted: December 18 2014 at 1:09pm |
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Thanks for the offers of help. I believe I've fixed it so problem averted I think.
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Jared Page
Highland, UT
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: December 18 2014 at 7:14pm |
That's good to hear. I have a variety of posts I have saved from impellers gone bad. I even saved the impellers to show visitors what they look like when they go bad.  Hang on to that broken post, in case you need to see if I have a replacement. Have a great vacation.
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Fatman
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Posted: December 19 2014 at 7:15am |
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I have read that the carbon fiber shafts from the local model/hobby stores can be cut to length and work well.
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February 4: Winter Banquet at the Living Planet Aquarium
Tickets: http://utahreefs.com/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=36
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: December 19 2014 at 8:19am |
Great idea.
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millsu2
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Posted: December 22 2014 at 8:56am |
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I had one of the original Koralia power heads and it had a ceramic shaft. After a few years it broke. I called the manufacturer and they sent me a new metal one for free. Try calling the pump manufacturer and see what they will do for you. It seems less common in the aquarium industry, but companies will sometimes help you out.
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