Cleaning of Skimz skimmer pump

[rainmalawi]

Hi, I just bought a Skimz SM161 skimmer and started to examine the pump and try to see how I can reach the impeller for cleaning in the future. Usually for pumps like eheim, we can just simply unscrew the cover to the impeller and the whole magnetic shaft of the impeller could be taken out for cleaning. For the Skimz skimmer pump, the impeller cover is very tight and it seems to me, it cannot be removed at all. There is no instruction on this as well. Does anyone own a Skimz skimmer here able to advise me how the impeller can be removed for cleaning.

Thank you very much.

[vtecintegra]

Maybe you could try to set the entire pump in a container with vinegar and let it run for a while. I've cleaned a few pumps this way instead of taking them apart.

[tropic]

Its very tight. I use long pliers wrap with cloth at the grip and slowy turn it. Less you see the risk of breaking it, dont force it. Sent from my Android using Tapatalk2

[rainmalawi]

Its very tight. I use long pliers wrap with cloth at the grip and slowy turn it. Less you see the risk of breaking it, dont force it. Sent from my Android using Tapatalk2

Thanks. If it is this tight, I might not want to open it as from the description, high chance the plastic will give way. Just disappointed that it is not design with ease of maintenance in mind as compared to other pumps. And from the instruction sheet, it is recommended to check and clean the impeller periodically.

[rainmalawi]

I may have to use the vinegar method to "clean" the pump. I guess I can just run the pump in white vinegar (from NTUC without dilution) for 15 mins and rinse clean before putting the pump back in operation. Thanks.

[vtecintegra]

I'd give it at least 30 minutes, maybe an hour.