Breaking in new skimmer

[uriah]

I got a new skimmer and its not pulling anything unless I run it wet. It has only been a few days; heard it takes a few days to break in. Anyone got any feedback? I assume that I can start running it dry soon...

[JimD]

What skimmer did you get? It can take a while to break in properly but you should at least be seeing bubbles in the reaction chamber..

[uriah]

I am seeing bubbles in the chamber and I can skim wet, just not dry.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Coralife_Super_Skimmer_Needle_Wheel_up_to_125_Gall on_In_Sump_Venturi_Needle_Wheel_Protein_Skimmers-Coralife-ES33000-FIPSISNW-ES33002-vi.html

[JimD]

Im not real familiar with that skimmer but if you can either raise the collection cup or lower the water level in the chamber it should skim drier.

[uriah]

Thanks, I will give it some time and keep adjusting. It seems like a good value, as it produces alot of micro-bubbles. Just gotta break it in and get it dialed in to my sump.

[JimD]

Good luck, let us know how things progress... Many people use that skimmer so Im sure its decent.

[CoryDude]

Have you cleaned the skimmer collection cup and other parts? You probably have, but I've had skimmers in the past that had some type of residue on the plastic that was inhibitting bubble formation in the collection riser.

But, what your seeing is pretty typical in my experience. I've had a Euroreef that took about 4-5 days to start collecting skimmate.

[Jamie]

Sometimes it's helps to clean the skimmer of any oils and such before its first use if you're looking to get immediate results...usually a hot water and vinegar bath will suffice. Otherwise, like most of us, you can just set it up and wait for it to naturally break in. This can take any where from a couple days to a couple weeks. Even now when I thoroughly clean my skimmer, it won't skim very well for a week or more...but once it dials itself in....look out.

I'm sure your skimmer will be working fine in no time...patience s a virtue in this hobby :)

[JimD]

^^^ Perfect! :thumbs_up:

[uriah]

Thanks for the feedback! I will let you know...

[ballardjr2000]

I have the same skimmer, it took about 2 weeks for mine to be able to dry skim, little trick i learned adjust the skimmer to the bottom of the neck, your bubbles should break right there. any higher and it is skimming wet. but if your bubbles line is right at the bottom of the collection cup. with will build up and start to dry skim like you want it takes a little time. also when you go to clean your cup. don't over clean it. leave a little gunk on the inside of the neck. helps for new stuff to stick.

[uriah]

Its starting to skim dry, just gotta be patient... Thanks for the info, bubble line helped...

[ballardjr2000]

welcome