Skimmer Break in period: What is going on?

[piscivorous]

I am just curious what is physically/chemically occurring during the break in period (first couple of days) that causes the skimmer to begin to actually work??

 

[Psychographic]

The mold release agents from manufacturing have to wear off is what I've been told.

 

[splateee]

I agree. THe residue on the walls of the skimmer wear off. You can help speed the process along by first rinsing the skimmer in hot water.

 

[InLimbo87]

I would be careful rinsing a skimmer in hot water. I never rinse any of my equipment in hot water because of the risks of cracking. I would say, rinse it with warm water, then let it do its magic.

 

[piscivorous]

Well either way, it is in 80 degree water, I figure that is warm water What exactly are mold release agents?

 

[lvreefer]

The manufacturing oils and other left over chemicals from the bonding process. These need to be broken down first to allow the skimmer to work correctly. This can take several weeks depending on the left over chemicals.
My $.02 on what to do with a new skimmer…
First I like to wipe the skimmer clean with a wet warm rag to remove any manufacturing oils. Then I run it in very warm fresh water for another 24 hours. Wipe it down; add it’s good to go a couple of hours later. This isn’t a bad way to clean it either, just add a little white vinegar to the water.

 

[Tristan]

never ever use hot water on a skimmer; more so warm water and vinegar, run it over night in a 50/50 mix than rinse and run in fresh water, rinse and rinse, .. the skimmer however will still be a while without producing any foam. Skimmers in general are sensitive to a number of factors that influence water surface tension. Just putting you hands in the water after having a meal can stop a skimmer from producing any foam. Just let it run, eventually it will produce. If you have a new tank, this may take time.. In my past experience, I once used a way over sized skimmer on a new tank with low bio load and it never produced any real foam, just very diluted brownish green fluid in the cup for nearly a year.. Than due to circumstances the tank was neglected for a period of 3 to 4 moths but kept feeding everything. (no water changes only fresh top offs, no changing of filter media, carbon) Then and only then did I get some real foam! So don't be paranoid just yet. Even if its not making foam it's still a great device for your tank because it oxygenates the water very efficiently.

edit- you wanna see some foam ? Just add a few drops of aqua plus down the neck of that sucker and watch it erupt like a volcano! LOL!

 

[piscivorous]

Yeah I am seeing foam...I was just basically curious about the physics or chemistry behind why it takes a few days for it to "break in" so to speak.