Skimmer break-in question

[McFly09]

I've installed a new Tunze Comline 9001 in a nano tank I've just set up.

It's making a lot of watery foam which is expected. It's bee submerged for 3 full days, I've only run it for about 5 minutes, on two occasions.

Does the skimmer need to be turned on to "break-in" or does the break-in just have something to do with the new plastic needing to be submerged for a few days?

If I leave it on it overflows within a minute even with the air supply line turned almost off.

I'm in the process of cycling the tank with a Red Sea Reef mature kit, Caribsea "live" sand, and dry BRS rock.

 

[scooter31707]

it needs to be on for it to break-in. Have you turned it all the way down so it won't overflow? Also, if you are going through your cycle, you can take out the skimmer and put it in some type of tub or bucket and with 2-part ro/di water and 1-part vinegar. Let it run for about a week and then rinse very well. What I do after I rinse and I run it again with ro/di and a little Prime, then rinse again and let dry for 24 hours and then into the sump. This process helps get all the oily residue out which is causing the overflowing and foaming. Hope that helps.

 

[McFly09]

I've turned the air all the way down, I don't think the flow is adjustable.

Great advice, very helpful. I will try that this evening. Thanks!

 

[KMS.Kyle]

I've installed a new Tunze Comline 9001 in a nano tank I've just set up.

It's making a lot of watery foam which is expected. It's bee submerged for 3 full days, I've only run it for about 5 minutes, on two occasions.

Does the skimmer need to be turned on to "break-in" or does the break-in just have something to do with the new plastic needing to be submerged for a few days?

If I leave it on it overflows within a minute even with the air supply line turned almost off.

I'm in the process of cycling the tank with a Red Sea Reef mature kit, Caribsea "live" sand, and dry BRS rock.

I have the Tunze com 9004 - After major water changes (where the water drops below a certain level) - I notice that it requires another few hours to get going again - just like the first time you put it in.

Leave the air intake WIDE OPEN for a couple hours (and keep emptying out the water - it usually won't have any waste in it) and then slowly calibrate it from there.

If it's anything like mine - The LOWEST it possibly can be to where water is just barely trickling into the machine is the best possible spot.. (Sucks for people without auto toppers - but if you learn how much your tank evaporates each day, its an easy fix with a water bottle of pre-made water beside your desk!)

 

[McFly09]

Thanks Kyle for the tips on my Comline skimmer. My tank is without a sump so I'll need to look into an auto top-off or just be very diligent about keeping the water on target. It's only a 17 gallon tank with about 13 gallon actual water volume so I'll need to keep it topped off regardless just to keep salinity stable.

Scooter31707, I followed your advice and put the skimmer in a small container with some distilled water, marine salt and vinegar. I probably used less than a 2:1 ratio, i.e. lower quantity of vinegar but I don't think that can hurt. I'll probably let it run until Sunday.