Do skimmers break in period?

[Slipstream06]

So I purchased a vertex 180i from brs, sounds like an awesome deal $350 marked down from $500. I was reading reviews and there was mention that this particular skimmer can have a difficult break in period. I wasn't aware that there's a break in period on skimmers. Oh and if anyone has an opinions on vertex that'd be great also. Sounds like a solid skimmer.

 

[tennesseebob]

Yeah...they need a bit of gunky film buildup to run properly. Also, lots of stuff can occasionally cause the skimmer to go a little nuts.

 

[Slipstream06]

Such as additives? I read about ozone or dosing with vodka having an effect on the skimmer.

 

[Sk8r]

Carbon dosing can make a skimmer run black skimmate when the norm otherwise is pale.
You might try wiping down a new skimmer with white vinegar to remove factory oils and residue. And of course if your tank is fairly new, it won't generate much waste, so just be glad the tank is clean.

 

[CStrickland]

You can run it in 1 part vinegar and 4 parts tap water for a couple hours to get everything clean and spiffy before you set it up. Then you can run it without the cup for a couple weeks so that it overflows back into the sump. I think what it needs to buildup is the biofilm that's all over our tanks and makes the glass feel slimy etc. Until that happens it can be a little erratic with the foam head dropping off or overflowing.

 

[StrangeDejavu]

Yep, took several weeks before my skimmer functioned correctly. In the beginning, the cup would either fill in seconds/minutes or not at all. Seems like one day I woke up and poof, it was working as it should.

 

[outy]

The best advise I can give after 25 years of skimmers.

Do not adjust it for today or tomorrow. Set the water/foam height lower in the cup.


Adjust it for how much foam it makes 3 or 4 days later down the road.


I used to adjust it higher and this just leads to frustration and often overflowed cups.

 

[davocean]

From my reading it's an issue w/ production oils that cause issues during break in period, and agree a vinegar bath will help that, but I've also read the Omega takes a little time to dial in, but a great skimmer once you do.
I'd let it run at least a few days before you even begin raising water level and I'd expect a couple weeks to have it close to where it needs to be.

 

[Slipstream06]

Thank you all for the great recommendations, really do appreciate community resources such as reef central. Thanks to you all I can avoid costly mistakes. Thanks again for your ongoing support.