Skimmer break in?

[Srt4eric]

So following the directions on the skimmer it says to keep the air valve wide open for at least a week. When doing so this happens. Is this normal? I have the skimmer set at the right water level. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Meshmez]

Yes, if it's a brand new skimmer especially. It takes a while to "break in" it needs to build up a film. What I have done in the past (if this works for yours) is flip the cup upside down and put the lid on top, so the water bubbles down the body instead of getting all over

 

[Srt4eric]

Yes, if it's a brand new skimmer especially. It takes a while to "break in" it needs to build up a film.

So I should just let it over flow like that for a week? It's making the inside of my cabinet super wet with condensation.

 

[Meshmez]

You can figure out a way to cover it. Or do a small water change and run it in a bucket of dirty tank water elsewhere where it won't make a mess

 

[Coral reefer]

Turn down the pump speed?

 

[Meshmez]

You an also raise it way up so the water isn't overflowing, and then lower it down when the internal level goes down

 

[Srt4eric]

You can figure out a way to cover it. Or do a small water change and run it in a bucket of dirty tank water elsewhere where it won't make a mess

That's an awesome idea!!! Thank you.

 

[Srt4eric]

Turn down the pump speed?

It's funny, it didnt mention anything about pump speed. Just to run the air wide open. Thanks

 

[jhuynh]

if a brand new spanking skimmer, raise it way above the water level or take off the collection cup and let it simply overflow until its it's good to go.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[jccaclimber]

Every couple years I get it in my mind to do a really good cleaning on my skimmer, and it usually needs a bit of break in when I return it to the system. I leave the cup on, but I open the drain in the bottom of the cup so that everything just flows through and drains back into the tank. So long as it isn't bubbling over faster than the drain can flow this isn't an issue, and it keeps the popping bubbles from making a mess.

 

[Srt4eric]

I ended up using a bucket out on my back porch for the break in. I got tired of cleaning salt off the inside of my cabinet.

 

[Vincerama2]

The salt creep/buildup is from tiny popping bubbles in the foam. Invert a plastic mixing bowl over the skimmer to keep the mess contained.