finicky skimmer?

[dtm]

why is it that everytime I change my sock filter my skimmer stops skimming for about a day? Its a BM200 if it matters..............I like to change the sock about every 3 days, so basicly it doesnt work 2 times out the week

I have about 7 or so socks that I rotate around, when I clean them I just rinse them in the sink. No chemicals (soap or bleach) unless its in the tap water?

 

[outy]

i did a huge water change when i installed my octo 250 recirc and for 2 days no foam added my poly filter in my sump and had instant foam lol

go figure.

i know the ati bm,s dont respond well to chemical changes your problem should be fairly easy to fix

have you tried rinseing the sock in saltwater [tank water in seperate container] first ?

 

[hahnmeister]

Do you add a new sock every time, or are you washing your socks in the laundry or something?

 

[TwistedTiger]

Re: finicky skimmer?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10054691#post10054691 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dtm
why is it that everytime I change my sock filter my skimmer stops skimming for about a day? Its a BM200 if it matters..............I like to change the sock about every 3 days, so basicly it doesnt work 2 times out the week

From my recent experience with the BM 200 they seem to be extremely finicky when it comes to any type of changes. However when they are skimming they do one hell of a job. I'm hoping that with more time mine will become less touchy about small changes to the system.

 

[dtm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10054936#post10054936 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by outy
i did a huge water change when i installed my octo 250 recirc and for 2 days no foam added my poly filter in my sump and had instant foam lol

go figure.

i know the ati bm,s dont respond well to chemical changes your problem should be fairly easy to fix

have you tried rinseing the sock in saltwater [tank water in seperate container] first ?

good idea,,,,,,,,,,,I'll try the salt water rinsing deal

 

[dtm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10055228#post10055228 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
Do you add a new sock every time, or are you washing your socks in the laundry or something?

I wash them (rinse in the sink) about 3-4 times, then I trash them

 

[dtm]

Re: Re: finicky skimmer?

Re: Re: finicky skimmer?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10055296#post10055296 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TwistedTiger
From my recent experience with the BM 200 they seem to be extremely finicky when it comes to any type of changes. However when they are skimming they do one hell of a job. I'm hoping that with more time mine will become less touchy about small changes to the system.

I agree, when its working its great! I did get it about a month or so ago, so maybe its not really broken in yet?

 

[hahnmeister]

So you wrinse your old ones and then trash them? Then I must assume that every time you are using a brand new sock. Well, if that is the case, I think we have your problem. The plastics in the sock are a bit like your skimmer when its trying to break in.

 

[sjm817]

When I change the socks (I wash mine), my BM250 is unaffected.

 

[hahnmeister]

Well, right, you are washing yours, so you wont have mfg's residues on the socks. dtm seems to use new ones every time, so that means new mfg. residue every time... just like breaking in a new skimmer. sjm817, so do you launder yours, or just hand wash/winse?

 

[sjm817]

I toss them in the wash with a little bleach and use the extra rinse cycle. I've been using the same ones for quite awhile.

 

[Reefjunkee]

Hey if Your tossing them after 2-3 times.Save them up and send them to me.I`ll pay the shipping.Thats got to be getting expensive.I just soak mine in a little bleach water,rinse very well and soak in declorinator/water for a while.Never have a problem.I know the brand new ones will make my skimmer go completely berzerk if I dont wash it a couple of times in the washer with a small amount of bleach then declorinate.

 

[sjm817]

If you let them dry there is no need for dechlorination. Even if there is any left after the rinse, all of it evaporates out.

 

[hahnmeister]

Yeah, that extra wrinse is what I was getting at... as you know already, clothes washers leave alot of detergent in the material even after wrinsing... as its pretty much a practice in dissolving the stuff rather than washing it out. The extra wrinse cycle or two is critical. I would just hand wash mine... but I dont use them anymore. Im liking this whole direct-fed skimmer thing, and then a detritus settling chamber. But still, socks come in handy, no doubt.

 

[sjm817]

I've been back and forth with them a few times through the years. I do like running them. Catches the crud coming down the drains, calms the water, is an excellent way to eliminate bubbles from the drains. Keeps My sump nice and clean. I've never had an issue with the washing machine method. If I didn't run socks, I would want a detritus settling area.

 

[BeanAnimal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10057865#post10057865 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
So you wrinse your old ones and then trash them? Then I must assume that every time you are using a brand new sock. Well, if that is the case, I think we have your problem. The plastics in the sock are a bit like your skimmer when its trying to break in.

It is the sizing that is in the filter sock material. The socks should be fully washed before their initial use.

The washing machine with bleach is fine. Let them fully dry to allow the bleach to dissipate.