Skimmer break in questions

Brent RH · 08/12/2012, 06:27 PM

I don't really understand the skimmer break in period. My reef octopus diablo xs 160 is new to my system as of this past Friday. From what I know it's a entry level to the decent skimmer line. It's got to be a huge upgrade from my $100 eshopps. I can't really understand why my eshopps was pulling dark green crud till the end and yet my diablo can't produce anything but clear water skimate. I've read the break in process is determined by the amount of debris left over inside the skimmer from the manufacturing process. Doesn't make sense to me. My tank has protein that needs removal pronto. How do people replace their skimmers knowing this break in process could take several days or up to weeks? What would a educated guess be for when I'll start seeing some real results from this unit? My water quality has got to be suffering and I think my water inhabitants are getting angry over the lousy living conditions!!

Tradewinds · 08/12/2012, 06:38 PM

Would it be possible to break in the new skimmer using a brute trash can and water from your last water change or in a QT tank (if it has never been treated with chemicals)?

Lig · 08/12/2012, 06:40 PM

Did you rinse or run your new skimmer in hot water? I've always heard you could reduce the break in time substantially by doing so. I personally have always ran new skimmers in hot water with some white vinegar for a few minutes to remove manufacturing residue & have never had a skimmer take more than a couple hours to start producing skimmate after doing so.

Brent RH · 08/12/2012, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tradewinds

Would it be possible to break in the new skimmer using a brute trash can and water from your last water change or in a QT tank (if it has never been treated with chemicals)?

This is a great idea that I wish I had thought of before switching out skimmers. As well is the cleaning with vinager idea. It was a huge pain switching these skimmers out and rearranging the pumps in my sump etc. I think the whole swap was 2 hours of stress and water mess making. If this new diablo doesn't start to perform in the next couple days, i'll have no choice but to pull it out. Does someone else have this skimmer that remembers how long it lasted for the break in period?

Lostinthedark · 08/12/2012, 07:09 PM

I have the xs 200. After the initial cleaning with just hot water it started skimming the first day but took about a week to hit
Full stride.

Brent RH · 08/12/2012, 07:09 PM

Sorry, no I didn't do anything but unwrap the package and put the unit straight in the sump. And I'm agreeing with u guys. I should have atleast ran the unit for a week or two in some water changed water.

Brent RH · 08/12/2012, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lostinthedark

I have the xs 200. After the initial cleaning with just hot water it started skimming the first day but took about a week to hit
Full stride.

I think your unit is just a bit larger than mine. Are you happy with your skimmer? Overall it's a pretty respectable unit, right?

shaginwagon13 · 08/12/2012, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent RH

I don't really understand the skimmer break in period. My reef octopus diablo xs 160 is new to my system as of this past Friday. From what I know it's a entry level to the decent skimmer line. It's got to be a huge upgrade from my $100 eshopps. I can't really understand why my eshopps was pulling dark green crud till the end and yet my diablo can't produce anything but clear water skimate. I've read the break in process is determined by the amount of debris left over inside the skimmer from the manufacturing process. Doesn't make sense to me. My tank has protein that needs removal pronto. How do people replace their skimmers knowing this break in process could take several days or up to weeks? What would a educated guess be for when I'll start seeing some real results from this unit? My water quality has got to be suffering and I think my water inhabitants are getting angry over the lousy living conditions!!

You can feel the difference on the inside of the acrylic of the skimmer that is broken in and one that is brand new. The broken in skimmer gets a thin slippery coating. Give it some time and it will be working like it should.

sail33 · 08/15/2012, 01:41 PM

It's true. People like to look at shiny things when they are new. Acrylic comes with shiny coating from MFG. Then skimmer MFG may add something to the finished product.

Cleaning is the very best thing to do. AND DON'T for get to rinse !!

08/12/2012, 06:27 PM	#1
Brent RH Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: central Minnesota Posts: 311	Skimmer break in questions I don't really understand the skimmer break in period. My reef octopus diablo xs 160 is new to my system as of this past Friday. From what I know it's a entry level to the decent skimmer line. It's got to be a huge upgrade from my $100 eshopps. I can't really understand why my eshopps was pulling dark green crud till the end and yet my diablo can't produce anything but clear water skimate. I've read the break in process is determined by the amount of debris left over inside the skimmer from the manufacturing process. Doesn't make sense to me. My tank has protein that needs removal pronto. How do people replace their skimmers knowing this break in process could take several days or up to weeks? What would a educated guess be for when I'll start seeing some real results from this unit? My water quality has got to be suffering and I think my water inhabitants are getting angry over the lousy living conditions!!

08/12/2012, 06:38 PM	#2
Tradewinds Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 1,872	Would it be possible to break in the new skimmer using a brute trash can and water from your last water change or in a QT tank (if it has never been treated with chemicals)?

08/12/2012, 06:40 PM	#3
Lig Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: GA Posts: 89	Did you rinse or run your new skimmer in hot water? I've always heard you could reduce the break in time substantially by doing so. I personally have always ran new skimmers in hot water with some white vinegar for a few minutes to remove manufacturing residue & have never had a skimmer take more than a couple hours to start producing skimmate after doing so.

08/12/2012, 07:09 PM	#5
Lostinthedark Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Freehold, NJ Posts: 342	I have the xs 200. After the initial cleaning with just hot water it started skimming the first day but took about a week to hit Full stride.

08/15/2012, 01:41 PM	#9
sail33 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Sunny St. Pete, FL Posts: 522	It's true. People like to look at shiny things when they are new. Acrylic comes with shiny coating from MFG. Then skimmer MFG may add something to the finished product. Cleaning is the very best thing to do. AND DON'T for get to rinse !!