View Full Version : skimmer break-in
rica5tully
08-28-2003, 5:03 PM
I have a 55-gallon tank that has just completed its cycle. Today I turned on my brand new Aqua C Remora skimmer (with a Maxi-jet pump).
Could someone tell me:
1) How long it will take to break in and start producing foam?
2) Why skimmers need to break in at all? (Just for curiosity)
Thanks!
kreblak
08-28-2003, 9:34 PM
The skimmer should require no breaking in, but it may need tweaking. You will need fine bubbles to produce dry foam. Depending on a lot of factors, you may get foam right off the bat, you may need to wait and tweak. Sometimes, there isn't enough dissolved organic matter to create foam. I doubt this in your case, however.
My skimmer was producing foam within a day. (Prizm HOT)
I have never owned an Aqua C model, but I believe skimmers do go through a break in period when new or after being thoroughly cleaned out.
Every time I clean out my Euro-Reef skimmer body and neck, it takes at least a day or two before it settles down and begins producing thick foam again.
BrianH
08-29-2003, 6:54 AM
It may take up to 2 or 3 weeks before the skimmer is working up to full capacity.
Brian
rica5tully
08-30-2003, 8:49 AM
I have an Aqua C Remora
It's been two days now and I don't get ANYTHING like foam. Their are tons of tiny bubbles (some getting into the tank) but nothing is even starting to move up the foam tower. I'm not worried about full capacity yet, I just wonder if I should be seeing something?
Thanks.
mogurnda
08-30-2003, 9:24 AM
That sounds pretty normal. When you first set it up there's some escape into the tank, and little skimmate. I thought "gosh, my tank must be pretty clean." Wait a week or so. I have no idea why there is a break in period, but there is.
g. mcclean
09-01-2003, 8:41 PM
We have an aquac remora on our 46 gallon tank and added it when the tank was up and running about 4-5 months. There was no break-in period, but we did adjust the black band until we got the dry foam. (Only took a couple of days to get the right adjustmenta0 We have the aqua c remora pro on our 75 gallon and put it into operation during cycling and again made only a few minor adjustments of the black band to maximize the dry foam collection. Both were functioning well after only a few days. I love the simplicity of these models.
I have a question along the same line. My skimmer was running good until I added a chemical to control red algae. (I forgot to turn off the skimmer like the directions said). Anyway, I have let the skimmer run for about 5 weeks now and I get massive amounts of bubbles in the tank and the collection cup fills with water. What can I do so that it runs properly again. I have a Marineland Sea Clone skimmer. Thanks for any help.
mogurnda
09-03-2003, 8:54 AM
I think adding a bag of carbon to get the stuff out will help.
BrianH
09-03-2003, 11:13 AM
That along with some water changes.
Brian
I am doing a major water change today, so hopefully that will help. Question about that......I have a 125g tank that has been running for about 7 months now. How much can I / should I change without harming the tennants? About adding cabon bag.....I can put on in a protein skimmer and it will not affect operations????
The main reason skimmers need to break in is because of oils that are on the plastic during the manufacturing process. They need some time to get skimmed out themselves. This process can take a couple days to as much as two weeks from what I've heard. But it's normal.
Or so I've been told...
Guy
While it is true that "new" skimmers need a break in period, my skimmer is almost two years old and has never had this problem before. So I am at a loss when it comes to making it work like it is supposed to. I think I might just have to break down and buy a new one.
Kit Walker
09-06-2003, 4:49 PM
The breaking in period in venturi and needle-wheel skimmers is caused by static in the impeller or needle wheel. It usually takes at least 3 days for the static in the new impeller to wear off.
I had a venturi skimmer that never foamed well, and was told I had to use foam assisting agents which are quite cheap and effective. In the end I sold it and bought a needle-wheel.