How to break-in a skimmer?

platax88 · 02/16/2008, 09:07 AM

Just ordered an Octo DNW-200, and i was wondering if anyone new of a technique to help it break in faster. I think it involves a vinegar bath and adding some of your old skimmate?

snulma1 · 02/16/2008, 09:47 AM

I would give it a good rinse and run with just vinegar for a few minutes. Then rinse again and it should shorten the break in period, but nothing will eliminate the break in period completely.

Tajjo · 02/16/2008, 09:53 AM

Let it run with pure vinegar over night.

Snowboarda42 · 02/16/2008, 09:57 AM

I actually use the sink and few drops of dish liquid to clean off any manufacturing oils. Just warm water, a few drops of dish washing liquid, run it for a while, and rinse. Just make sure you rinse it really good and if theres a sponge of some sort to remove it.

mrkalel · 02/16/2008, 10:17 AM

I just upgraded to a AquaC Ev-240 and I just rinsed out in the sink (not detergent... I think that's bad) with HOT water and that seemed to to so the trick... started skimming in a couple of hours...

02/16/2008, 09:07 AM	#1
platax88 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Clermont, FL Posts: 1,961	How to break-in a skimmer? Just ordered an Octo DNW-200, and i was wondering if anyone new of a technique to help it break in faster. I think it involves a vinegar bath and adding some of your old skimmate?

02/16/2008, 09:53 AM	#3
Tajjo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Denver Posts: 1,039	Let it run with pure vinegar over night. __________________ Expect the worst and hope for the best! Current Tank Info: 75 gal display, 40 breeder sump. 1 Tunze 6105, 1 Maxi Jet mod, octopuss nw 200, 618 GEO calcium reactor, 2 250w mh icecap pendant with icecap ballast, pheonix bulbs, with 4 t5 VHO actinic

02/16/2008, 09:57 AM	#4
Snowboarda42 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Warshington Posts: 1,094	I actually use the sink and few drops of dish liquid to clean off any manufacturing oils. Just warm water, a few drops of dish washing liquid, run it for a while, and rinse. Just make sure you rinse it really good and if theres a sponge of some sort to remove it. __________________ 40B Mixed Reef 100% Captive Grown Corals See, that's the trouble with the world today. Not enough danger to kill off stupid people before they get old enough to breed. Bring back lawn darts! -PrivateJoker64 Current Tank Info: 40B, 20L Sump/Fuge, Mag 9.5 Return, 2x Hydor Koralia #2's, 150W 14K HQI, 139W T-5, Euro-Reef RS-80P Mesh Modded, 40LB LR, 80LB LS, 54x Turnover, Mostly SPS, Some Softys Too.

02/16/2008, 10:17 AM	#5
mrkalel Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Long Island Posts: 614	I just upgraded to a AquaC Ev-240 and I just rinsed out in the sink (not detergent... I think that's bad) with HOT water and that seemed to to so the trick... started skimming in a couple of hours... __________________ Able to spend a ridiculous amount of time staring at a fish bowl... https://twitter.com/MrKal_El https://instagram.com/mrkal_el/ Current Tank Info: Oceanic 144 Gal Half-Circle Display / AGA 72 Gal Bow-Front Fuge / Oceanic 60 Gal Sump 3 / ReeFlo Hammerhead Return / AquaC EV-240 Skimmer w. Mag 18 / Basement Sump & Fuge / 4 Reefbreeders Supernova's

02/16/2008, 09:47 AM	#2
snulma1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,281	I would give it a good rinse and run with just vinegar for a few minutes. Then rinse again and it should shorten the break in period, but nothing will eliminate the break in period completely.