Need help with skimmer break in / operation

[jwt1603]

Eshopps X-160. Raised several inches off the base of the sump per instructions from LFS and what I've read on R2R. Tank is a new RS XL 525 that is cycled. No fish or inverts in it yet, just corals.

Never had a skimmer before and the LFS isn't being very helpful. They said it needed to run for a few days and the bubbles would calm down. Said to run it with the gate and the silencer wide open.

It's been running like that for over a week now. Still can't put the lid on the collection cup because the bubbles float it off because there are so many coming out of the skimmer. It's like a volcano erupting. Full bubble flow out of the gate at the bottom too. Any time I turn the gate down at all or move the silencer a little the bubbles get even worse. There's so many bubbles that I have to dry off the inside of the cabinet from the spray.

Suggestions?

 

[Scurvy]

No experience with that skimmer but what ive done to break in a new skimmer is to run it in a bucket of RO and vinegar for 2 or 3 days. The vineger will clean off any residues from manufacturing.

Then put it in your sump without the cup and place a large zip lock bag over the top so anything overflowing doesnt make a mess and run it like that until it calms down and you can add the cup.

It can take 2 weeks or more to break in a new skimmer and get it dialed in.

 

[jwt1603]

No experience with that skimmer but what ive done to break in a new skimmer is to run it in a bucket of RO and vinegar for 2 or 3 days. The vineger will clean off any residues from manufacturing.

Then put it in your sump without the cup and place a large zip lock bag over the top so anything overflowing doesnt make a mess and run it like that until it calms down and you can add the cup.

It can take 2 weeks or more to break in a new skimmer and get it dialed in.

Thanks.

 

[sweendog87]

Close the air valve line I had the same problem now at least I can control the rate of bubbles it pretty touchy between no bubbles and a valcanoe but it will get there patience is key im still loving the look if the tank with no lights of life at all just rock and sand

 

[jwt1603]

Close the air valve line I had the same problem now at least I can control the rate of bubbles it pretty touchy between no bubbles and a valcanoe but it will get there patience is key im still loving the look if the tank with no lights of life at all just rock and sand

Air valve line? You mean the rubber tube on the outside of the skimmer body?

And do you tie off the bag or just set it on there to keep the spray down?

 

[Scurvy]

No need to tie off the bag. just cover the opening so the spry drains down into the sump and doesn’t splash everything else.

 

[jwt1603]

No need to tie off the bag. just cover the opening so the spry drains down into the sump and doesn’t splash everything else.

Thanks. That's what I thought but I wanted to be sure.

 

[mjlash22]

Mine (different skimmer) took over 2 weeks to break in so I wouldn't be worried. I just let it overflow back into the sump as already mentioned above. I never had a crazy overflow or splash, so I did not use the bag method, but it is definitely a good option. Over time you will start to see the bubbles stop overflowing and gradually lower in the chamber. Once they settle at or below the half way point of your skimmer cup, this is when you know it has broken in and should begin fine tuning the gate valve.

 

[jwt1603]

Mine (different skimmer) took over 2 weeks to break in so I wouldn't be worried. I just let it overflow back into the sump as already mentioned above. I never had a crazy overflow or splash, so I did not use the bag method, but it is definitely a good option. Over time you will start to see the bubbles stop overflowing and gradually lower in the chamber. Once they settle at or below the half way point of your skimmer cup, this is when you know it has broken in and should begin fine tuning the gate valve.

Thanks. I'm new to SW so still trying to figure it all out.