New skimmer wont break in

[texanjordan]

I got a new Skimz Protein Skimmer from BRS, and installed it in my sump 12 days ago. It has been foaming and overflowing since that day and has not stopped. How long does it take to break in? I did not soak it in vinegar, and Im just gettting really tired of seeing all of the micro bubbles in my DT. Thanks for your advice!

[Cammed_02]

It definetely shoud have broken in by now. Have you fully adjusted the air valve and made sure its seated properly? A couple of times after a cleaning I didnt seat the hose all the way on my BM skimmer and dialing it in was near impossible. If everything is good pull it and run it in a vinegar bath for a couple of days and go from there.

[texanjordan]

Im pretty sure the valve is on there correctly, I will check when I get home. I did call BRS last night and they told me that it could take up to 4 weeks. That just seemed like a really long time to break in.

[Zack]

I've had to skimmers, one took three days to break in and one took three weeks. Did you make sure to wash it in RO when you got it? Others have also found that running it in vinegar is also helpful but you said you didn't go that route. Four weeks is not out of the question, but it also could be your DT. Is this a new tank? I've read the newer the tank the longer a skimmer takes to break in as there is not as much stuff for it to pull out.

Some skimmers will always have micro bubbles, i'd recommend if it continues to plumb an outlet over the water line so the bubbles can escape.

[texanjordan]

I did not rinse it off or run it in vinegar, just plopped it into my sump. If I took it out and ran it in vinegar for a while would that help things? Also, how long would I have to run it?

[Zack]

When I had my old skimmer, people with the same model were getting theres to break in after 24-48 hours in vinegar vs one- three weeks without. The fact that it wasn't washed concerns me a tad, as when I rinsed my skimmer, even NIB there was some stuff from the manufacturing process that I was able to keep out of my tank.

[texanjordan]

So it might still be working out some of the oils and grease... Should I just be patient and give it some more time?

[Zack]

Personally I'd take it out and give it a vinegar bath. I don't think the stuff is that harmful to our tanks but it would let me sleep better at night.

[Zack]

Also is your water level in your sump within the recommended level for your skimmer?

[texanjordan]

Yes, the manufacturer recommends 8-9.5 inches. Mine is at 9.25 inches deep.

[jrsatx20]

put some filter floss on the inlet of the pump and run it for bout a day like that

[texanjordan]

I picked up a couple of 12x12 tiles at home depot during lunch, im going to try and raise the skimmer up about an inch to an inch and a quarter. Maybe that will help things work out.

[Dean]

I picked up a couple of 12x12 tiles at home depot during lunch, im going to try and raise the skimmer up about an inch to an inch and a quarter. Maybe that will help things work out.

I bet that does the trick.

[texanjordan]

I went home and raised my skimmer about 1.5 inches. It now sits in 8 inches of water. It doesnt overflow nearly as much, but it still does. Might need some more time, I will ride it out for a little while longer.

[jrsatx20]

try my tip

[texanjordan]

I did try that last night, didnt really do anything. Or slow it down at all. I dropped a few drops of EVOO, and that really calmed it down for about 8 hours, and now greatly reduced the overflow rate

[Dean]

I did try that last night, didnt really do anything. Or slow it down at all. I dropped a few drops of EVOO, and that really calmed it down for about 8 hours, and now greatly reduced the overflow rate

What is EVOO?

[texanjordan]

Extra virgin olive oil. Picked up that tip on another forum

[Dean]

Interested. That's a good piece of info. Let us know if that solved it for good.

[texanjordan]

It only worked temporarily. It completely stopped the overflow for about 8 hours, and this morning it was just overflowing a little, not like crazy.

[Big_Pun]

some stuff ive caught over the years, are you dosing anything into the system daily? i had this issues when i start up new tanks as i dont use ro/di to cycle them, just tap and prime. my skimmers would go nuts until i did a big water change with rodi water, so i think the prime made them go wacky, i also noticed if you wash them in hot soapy(dish soap) when you first get them to remove manufactures oil and residue this helps also.

[texanjordan]

The only thing I dose is Alk and Cal, and that is mixed using RODI water. Nothing else is dosed. All water changes are done with RODI salt water, and my top off is all RODI.

[Big_Pun]

feeding any coral foods daily?

[texanjordan]

I feed a cube of food every other day, and i mix that with rodi first

[350gt]

Did u adjust it properly? Where is the bubble line, or whatever its called, set?

Maybe just running wet?

[Justin]

If it is overflowing then you probably have it in too deep of water. How deep of water is it in? Usually aim for 5 inches. The micro bubbles mean your bubble traps are not working. Do you have a pic of the sump with it in?

[texanjordan]

I raised up the water level on thursday of last week, and I opened up the air valve all the way, it has settled down completely, and is now pulling out tea colored skimmate.

[Big_Pun]

Great! Now see if you can adjust to pull "drier" skim, just to see if you have full control, basically can you lower the water level a little. i liked pulling in the middle of the spectrum not too tea like and not super thick skimmate.

[Zack]

Obligatory skimmate pic needed! Congrats man, glad you were able to get it going! I always skimmed really dry and it was DISGUSTING.