Break in time for a skimmer

jerseyhokie · 07/19/2010, 07:38 PM

Is it true that skimmers require break in to operate properly? And if so can this break in be done with a high organic freshwater tank?

rayn · 07/19/2010, 07:48 PM

I was told to run my new skimmer in a bucket full of vinager water for a hour or so to help the break in. Then let it run in plain ol water to get rid of the vinager.

thegrun · 07/19/2010, 07:57 PM

Depending on the brand and model, it usually takes between 3 days to a week for a skimmer to break in. I do not believe a freshwater tank will do the trick, you need to build up a slime coat on the inside of the skimmer. Once it is operating properly, note that a through cleaning after it is up and running will usually set most skimmers back into a short break-in period.

muttley000 · 07/19/2010, 08:01 PM

I don't think the fresh water will foam enough to reach up the cone. My skimmer didn't kick in for a little more than a week. I ran it in RODI for a few hours just to make sure I was rid on any manufacturing residue, don't know if it really helped or not.

Tuscaquatics · 07/19/2010, 08:38 PM

Freshwater won't make foam. What I did was a water change on my tank, then I took the old water and put it in a Rubbermaid. I ran the skimmer in that for a couple days. It broke the skimmer in really well. After that I dropped it in my sump and started using it.

Chris27 · 07/20/2010, 08:42 AM

Running the skimmer in a mild vinegar solution will remove any of the oils left over from the manufacturing process, after that a quick bath in the some fresh water to rinse off the vinegar is all that's needed. The skimmer should start building some foam the same day. After a few days, the foam should come a little easier. There is no benefit in breaking the skimmer in on a different tank.

07/19/2010, 07:38 PM	#1
jerseyhokie Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 99	Break in time for a skimmer Is it true that skimmers require break in to operate properly? And if so can this break in be done with a high organic freshwater tank?

07/19/2010, 07:48 PM	#2
rayn Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pekin, Il Posts: 2,864	I was told to run my new skimmer in a bucket full of vinager water for a hour or so to help the break in. Then let it run in plain ol water to get rid of the vinager. __________________ Currently changing, stay tuned for new details...

07/19/2010, 08:01 PM	#4
muttley000 MTS Sufferer! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 1,926	I don't think the fresh water will foam enough to reach up the cone. My skimmer didn't kick in for a little more than a week. I ran it in RODI for a few hours just to make sure I was rid on any manufacturing residue, don't know if it really helped or not. __________________ Next step on the system is adding A 90 gallon! Current Tank Info: 475 multitank system is now running! Several hundred gallons of additions planned!

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07/19/2010, 07:57 PM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Depending on the brand and model, it usually takes between 3 days to a week for a skimmer to break in. I do not believe a freshwater tank will do the trick, you need to build up a slime coat on the inside of the skimmer. Once it is operating properly, note that a through cleaning after it is up and running will usually set most skimmers back into a short break-in period.

07/19/2010, 08:38 PM	#5
Tuscaquatics Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 1,324	Freshwater won't make foam. What I did was a water change on my tank, then I took the old water and put it in a Rubbermaid. I ran the skimmer in that for a couple days. It broke the skimmer in really well. After that I dropped it in my sump and started using it.

07/20/2010, 08:42 AM	#6
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	Running the skimmer in a mild vinegar solution will remove any of the oils left over from the manufacturing process, after that a quick bath in the some fresh water to rinse off the vinegar is all that's needed. The skimmer should start building some foam the same day. After a few days, the foam should come a little easier. There is no benefit in breaking the skimmer in on a different tank.