Reef Octopus ?

I have a reef octopus 110 and it has been running for 7 months and working well until last week. The pump is making a skipping noise like there is somthing stuck partway over the intake. I looked at the intake and it is clear. Is there somthing that I should be cleaning internally?

 

Internally inside the pump

 

I tear my skimmer down completly every 6 mos. and give it a good cleaning, I run the pump for about an hour through a bucket of RO and vinager water--- if you do so, remove the orings, vinager will dry them out.

 

You may have some build up on the impeller that needs a good soaking.

 

Thanks for the tips

 

check the air intake too sometimes they get plugged up