Skimmer Break In

[Irishman360]

Got my stand built and skimmer built. Should I just go ahead and throw the skimmer in my sump to let it break in or throw it in another bare tank with RODI water to break in and let the chemicals come off or dilute themselves?

 

[rfgonzo]

A skimmer won't work in fresh water like RO/DI, it needs to be in salt water. I would just put it in your sump assuming your sump is already up and running.

 

[Irishman360]

A skimmer won't work in fresh water like RO/DI, it needs to be in salt water. I would just put it in your sump assuming your sump is already up and running.

My sump is already up and running. I just put my skimmer in and measured the water height and its 7 1/2. As I was measuring the water height I something popped up in my head about measuring it. Do you measure with the base on it that roughly 1/4" thick or do you measure right above the base where it sits at? Am I looking for anything in particular while its running. I plugged it in and the bubbles didn't go all the way up to the collection cup.

Another quick question for top off water. I will be topping off my sump with RO/DI water but does it have to be heated before I throw it in my sump?

 

[rfgonzo]

Your top/off water can be cold, no need to heat up but you should look into a ATO for consistency. Your skimmer will take time to break-in and you will have to fine-tune it as time goes on. As far as water level, all depends on what skimmer you have.

 

[Irishman360]

Your top/off water can be cold, no need to heat up but you should look into a ATO for consistency. Your skimmer will take time to break-in and you will have to fine-tune it as time goes on. As far as water level, all depends on what skimmer you have.

I have the Reef Octopus 150SSS. Recommended water height is 7.5-8". It's at 7.5 now but it has a the white base on the bottom of it that roughly 3/8". So when measuring for optimum water level do you measure with or with out the base on the bottom.

 

[rfgonzo]

Measure with and you'll be fine :thumbsup:

 

[Shawn O]

What I gather from researching skimmers prior to purchasing mine is that it's helpful to rinse it out with vinegar to help remove oils/chemicals leftover from manufacturing. Don't know if it really helps, but this is what I did. Bubbles did not reach up into the cone for several days and the instructions that came with mine said not to adjust the skimmer until it was "broken in". I just let mine run as is until I started to notice a little crud at the water line, about 3-4 days. At that point I adjusted it until the bubbles were about halfway up the cone and it was skimming "wet" (light green water) which is when I backed it off until the skimmate was less wet and thick with black stuff. The crud doesn't really get into the cup much and sticks to the inside of the cone and cup tube, which I just wipe out with a paper towel. I usually get about 1/4"-1/2" every other day.

I hope this helps in some way.

 

[JMorris271]

Can you post a photo of your skimmer arrangement please?

 

[Irishman360]

Skimmer Set Up

Skimmer Set Up

Here are the pictures as requested.

I currently have it running on full blast.

 

[nuxx]

Toss it in a tub with a 10:1 water vinegar mix. Then run it at full bore.

I just did this on our new Reef Octopus Regal 300SSS for one night. The next day it was in the sump pulling dark skim

Moved our old Reef Octopus DCS300 to our new frag tank and did the same.