Skimmer runs better dirty

[Jon0807]

I have a Vertex Omega 150 and I usually clean the collection cup out very week. But I've noticed that I get a much dryer skim later in the week when it is very dirty. And the skimmate is nice and thick. Just after a clean, it skims somewhat wet and the bubbles don't always go to the top so I get this line of skimmate in the middle of the inner part of the cup. Should I hold off on cleaning the cup and wait once every 2 weeks rather than every week? Or is it better to have a clean cup as much and as often as possible?

 

[JustinM]

I think it's better to keep the neck clean. It can restrict the bubbles from getting up into the cup if it's dirty. If it skins wet after cleaning, you can always dial it down for a few days then readjust it as necessary.

 

[ssgss gogeta]

Skimmer runs better dirty

Above is correct.

The wetter skimmate is actually more effective skimmate. Sure it looks like your doing the right job to see a dirty bunch of crap in there.

The thick sludge is more so that people don't have to empty a slimmer cup as often and so that there isn't a slow but steady salinity change from skimming wetter.


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[Mark Bianco]

If you have the room and the funds look into a neck cleaner its a god send. Only have to clean the skimmer about every 6 months...

 

[EdgeN]

I have a Vertex Omega 150 and I usually clean the collection cup out very week. But I've noticed that I get a much dryer skim later in the week when it is very dirty. And the skimmate is nice and thick. Just after a clean, it skims somewhat wet and the bubbles don't always go to the top so I get this line of skimmate in the middle of the inner part of the cup. Should I hold off on cleaning the cup and wait once every 2 weeks rather than every week? Or is it better to have a clean cup as much and as often as possible?

I've found the same thing to be true myself. The cup does need to be emptied every now & then, but what happens between the time when it's crispy clean after a rinse in RO/DI and a little dirty a week later? It does seem to have some seasoning to it so to say, (it's been broken in) and sometimes that's what makes things work properly.

 

[Kinetic]

This is what I've noticed (might be related):

If I rinse with tap water or even RO/DI, and don't dry it out completely, it takes awhile for my skimmer to start producing skim.

If I rinse with RO/DI and then dry thoroughly with a clean towel, let sit for 15 minutes or so, it starts skimming pretty much where it left off.

The bubbles can easily react to stuff on the cup, even if it is just RO/DI or tap water. Keep that area super clean and dry when you start your skimmer back up and see if that helps!

I used to have the same issue, but after i started drying the cup, things were much better.

 

[EdgeN]

FWIW when I clean the cup & the neck it's needs a few hours or so to start working properly. (lots of different skimmers) Add these hours up over a month or so and it becomes a day or two. This might not be that big of a deal, being that we probabaly don't need this equipment at all, but if there is a method to the madness so to say and it's a good thing, I want it to be working properly ALL of the time. JMO, GL.