Breaking in first skimmer (NWB-110)

[StrangeDejavu]

So i'm done cycling and just plugged in my skimmer to begin the break in phase. Got a few questions I was hoping some of you could answer. This is my first saltwater tank so I really don't know anything about skimmers or how to set it where it needs to be.

First thing I noticed is the cup fills with water in about 30 minutes. Is this typical for a new skimmer? Where exactly am I supposed set the gate valve? All the way open and it fills slowly, all the way closed and it fills rapidly. I have the skimmer raised via eggcrate and PVC up to the water line in my sump, putting it at the 7 inch mark. Manufacturer recommendation was 6 - 8" I believe. Does it need to be lowered any or is it in a good spot?

Thanks in advance.

 

[nuxx]

Could try to run it in a water/vinegar solution for a day.

Then try to run it in the sump with the drain open for a few days.

After that you'll probably be good to go.

Our newest Reef Octopus skimmer we run in water/vinegar and it was pulling skim the next day.

 

[StrangeDejavu]

What ratio of vinegar and water did you use? Definitely something i'd be interested in since the first fish is going in Saturday.

The cup was full and I noticed it had a yellow-ish tint to it and smelled like chemicals so I dumped it out. Cup's back on and now the bubbles wont rise any higher than halfway up the neck. I found that by completely closing the gate valve, the bubbles rise but the water coming out of the valve is turbulent and making a lot of noise. Any thoughts?

 

[nuxx]

10:1 (water / vinegar)

 

[StrangeDejavu]

Thanks Peter.

So I was messing with the gate valve, got the bubbles to rise to the neck and spill over into the cup but only when the gate valve was 95% closed (does that sound normal?). That means the water is rushing out of the output and creating tons of noise in my sump.

 

[Ohioreef1700]

new skimmer advice

new skimmer advice

the best advice for breaking in a new skimmer is to just let it run 24/7 and let it do its thing it will break in eventaully i have several saltwater tanks and have been through many break ins. Don't use vinegar it is ineffective just give it a month and it will just click one day

 

[slief]

The vinegar bath is a great idea on a new skimmer to remove chemicals from the manufacturing process. It will do nothing for break in and unfortunately, anything that was on your skimmer is already in your water. As such I wouldn't bother with that since it will do little to nothing for you and certainly doesn't do anything for break in.

As far as overflowing when you first start break in, that is common. I would suggest unplugging the drain line in the collection cup and letting it drain back into the sump and leave it that way until the skimmer settles down which could take a couple days or more. The other option is removing the collection cup completely and letting it overflow in your sump for at least 24 hours if not more. I prefer removing the drain plug because it allows the slime coating to build up in the neck which is all part of the break in process.

On a side note.. While I am not familiar with that skimmer, at first glance, your sump level looks very high for that skimmer. One more note.. With your sump that full, do you have room in there for the display to drain in the event of a power outage or when your return pump is off?

 

[StrangeDejavu]

at first glance, your sump level looks very high for that skimmer. One more note.. With your sump that full, do you have room in there for the display to drain in the event of a power outage or when your return pump is off?

A few people said this in a FB group too, lol. The baffles are really high so it makes it the sump look almost completely full, but it's just that compartment. It passes the power failure test and even has enough space to hold my ATO water if my Tunze were to fail.

I'm just going to let the skimmer do its thing then, makes me wish I ran it with the drain open during my cycle but we live and learn. I think i'm going to get a slip T and add it to the output (facing up and down) so the water is directed toward the bottom of the sump, i'm getting a lot of noise out of it.

 

[slief]

I'm just going to let the skimmer do its thing then, makes me wish I ran it with the drain open during my cycle but we live and learn. I think i'm going to get a slip T and add it to the output (facing up and down) so the water is directed toward the bottom of the sump, i'm getting a lot of noise out of it.

That's a good plan. Let it run it's course. Any adjustments you make before it settles down and breaks in will be a minor efforts in futility anyway. Give it a few days before making any adjustments. It will take upwards of 2 weeks to fully break in so keep that in mind. Before it's completely broken in, most adjustments will not be permanent.

 

[emily97]

What's the water level the skimmer is sitting in

 

[emily97]

Sorry,I just read your comments.lol.Igot mine at 6 inches and the water level in skimmer seems fine where it's at.Takes about 4 weeks to fully break in.Your not adding any chemicals to the tank,are you!