What is the "Break in" period refer to? Prot SKim

[Daddyrawg]

Also, how do you set your skimmer for the break in period?

Ive heard let it flow somewhat aggresiveley without overflowing until it break in and then Ive hear set it very low until the bubbles slowly start creeping up "eventually" if that even happens...

 

[Uncle99]

You want bubbles about 1/3 to 1/2 way up your flue, but not enough to overflow on a regular basis. Start at the lowest setting of flow, then every 2 days, crank it up a tad until, over a week, you end up with a dark colored stuff very smelly in your cup. It takes about 2-4 weeks of 24 hours skim to break in

 

[Spiffy]

You gotta let that slime coating build up on the inside of the skimmer. That is what "break-in" refers to. Takes about a month. But once that is done, you'll find that dark green stuff in you collection cup. It'll be light in the beginning, but after about 6 months, it'll smell strong enough to make you gag when you dump it out and clean the cup out.

 

[Daddyrawg]

You want bubbles about 1/3 to 1/2 way up your flue, but not enough to overflow on a regular basis. Start at the lowest setting of flow, then every 2 days, crank it up a tad until, over a week, you end up with a dark colored stuff very smelly in your cup. It takes about 2-4 weeks of 24 hours skim to break in

ok, Also I have a feeling its not performing properly due to w ater level of sump... I noticed SKimmer is sitting at about 9.5" height of water and recommended water line is 5-7" Should I sit my skimmer on a stand and raise it so that I am between 5-7" or will this even matter?

If so what should I use to raise it?

 

[mcgyvr]

Eggcrate/pvc pipe/zip ties always come in handy....just a plastic storage container upside down works too...but yes get it set to the right height now

 

[lapin]

+1 to the above statement

 

[Uncle99]

Yup, yup, to the above, let's get the right height, but what makes you "feel" is not working?

Does it make bubbles and are they rising in the flue area?
When a skimmer is new and until it gets a coat on the walls it doesn't seem to do much at all, and in addition, we don't know the amount of organic a in your DT.

Get it set, let it be

 

[Daddyrawg]

Yup, yup, to the above, let's get the right height, but what makes you "feel" is not working?

Does it make bubbles and are they rising in the flue area?
When a skimmer is new and until it gets a coat on the walls it doesn't seem to do much at all, and in addition, we don't know the amount of organic a in your DT.

Get it set, let it be

Well its a new 90 gallon tank about 2 months old.. 1 yellow tang and some CUC.. so yeah not much bio load.. but I cant seem to get a sweet spot, either too much flow or the other way where its just bubbling at the bottom of base and never rising...

im gonna raise is a couple inches and just leave it be from now on.. i do think its too deep into water tho.. 9.5" is not recommended manufacture level

 

[mcgyvr]

It wont operate properly in the wrong water level...when too deep the pump isnt loaded enough and pumps too strongly

 

[Tastee]

You gotta let that slime coating build up on the inside of the skimmer. That is what "break-in" refers to. Takes about a month. But once that is done, you'll find that dark green stuff in you collection cup. It'll be light in the beginning, but after about 6 months, it'll smell strong enough to make you gag when you dump it out and clean the cup out.

Ummm...
I clean my skimmer cup weekly and clear out all the slime on the inside of the collection tube, as well as the outside of the tube and the inside and bottom of the collection cup. So it all goes back in nice and clean. Your comment above suggests I am doing the wrong thing.

Should I just pour out the skimmate and replace the skimmer cup as-is instead?

 

[Member No. 1]

Ummm...
I clean my skimmer cup weekly and clear out all the slime on the inside of the collection tube, as well as the outside of the tube and the inside and bottom of the collection cup. So it all goes back in nice and clean. Your comment above suggests I am doing the wrong thing.

Should I just pour out the skimmate and replace the skimmer cup as-is instead?

Continue as your are, when I clean mine, I do as you and don't have an issue with it skimming as it did before the cleaning.

My take on the "break in" has to do more with the plastics used to manufacture the skimmers, how they "outgas" to a certain degree, and if there are any possible traces of mold release agents they use in the manufacturing process.

Once all of those have dissipated, the skimmer will start skimming.

 

[Spiffy]

Ummm...
I clean my skimmer cup weekly and clear out all the slime on the inside of the collection tube, as well as the outside of the tube and the inside and bottom of the collection cup. So it all goes back in nice and clean. Your comment above suggests I am doing the wrong thing.

Should I just pour out the skimmate and replace the skimmer cup as-is instead?

I don't know how you got the idea that cleaning your skimmer cup is the wrong thing to do. The cup is the only part that you should be cleaning on a regular basis.

 

[Tastee]

I don't know how you got the idea that cleaning your skimmer cup is the wrong thing to do. The cup is the only part that you should be cleaning on a regular basis.

Sorry, I just misunderstood your initial post. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Sk8r]

What they mean is that a new skimmer comes in sometimes with manufacturing oils on it, and it takes time (or a vinegar wipedown) to get that off. But yes, clean the cup and lid well in plain tap water.