SCA-301 Protein Skimmer Breaking in?

[SmoothSmoke]

I'm still in the cycling phases and have setup my skimmer 2 days ago. Still nothing collecting in the cup, albeit, no fish or corals in the tank yet. I heard the break in period can take 2 weeks. That is why I have it running now before CUC, corals and fish are purchased.

How does one tell when it's "broken in"?

 

[Reefing Madness]

When you adjust it up to 1/4 of the neck, and it doesn't constantly foam over.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

I'm still not there yet then. No skimmate whatsoever. Whatever is in the cup, it's clear.

 

[Reefing Madness]

If its foaming, then its working, as long as your not getting it to overflow. You want to keep the foam in the neck, and allow the bubbles to force each other through the top.

 

[Dalmatia]

I'm still in the cycling phases and have setup my skimmer 2 days ago. Still nothing collecting in the cup, albeit, no fish or corals in the tank yet. I heard the break in period can take 2 weeks. That is why I have it running now before CUC, corals and fish are purchased.

How does one tell when it's "broken in"?

No need for a skimmer till you add live stock. If your cycling your tank you want ammonia so you bacteria can feed. Till you add fish there won't be any waste but what's on your dry rock for bacteria to grow and develop.

 

[Dalmatia]

Also is your skimmer in a sump or hob on your tank? And what kind of skimmer did you get?

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Its an in sump skimmer. Look what I have today in the cup. Kind of breaking in now?

 

[Dalmatia]

Look up the best depth for you skimmer for it to work at it's best,, should be in the instructions booklet.
When your tank is stocked,,, your gonna be getting more than that per day

 

[Dalmatia]

Also you may have to tweak it when you get live stock, may need to turn it up or down

 

[Reefing Madness]

That looks pretty good for a starter. It'll get much darker and nastier with the bio load on the tank.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Awesome thanks! Looks like I have what u call a wet skim. Cant wait to get some fish in there.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Look up the best depth for you skimmer for it to work at it's best,, should be in the instructions booklet.
When your tank is stocked,,, your gonna be getting more than that per day

This cheap thing didnt come with instructions at all! I have it sitting in 7". That is the sweet spot from what I have gathered.

 

[NanaReefer]

Following as I plan on getting the same skimmer for my 40B & 20L sump Thanks for sharing.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Following as I plan on getting the same skimmer for my 40B & 20L sump Thanks for sharing.

Dont take my last comment too serious. Cheap is good lol. I will update once the skimmate changes...most likely when I have fish. Im satisfied with it thus far, super quiet.

 

[NanaReefer]

Dont take my last comment too serious. Cheap is good lol. I will update once the skimmate changes...most likely when I have fish. Im satisfied with it thus far, super quiet.

Cheap & super quiet?! My kind of skimmer-lol.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Slightly darker skimmate. Not quite gunky like I have seen others have.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Tank must be a bit cleaner than you thought. Whats your phosphate and nitrate reading?

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Nitrate 10ppm

Phosphate is either 0 or .25ppm

API tests

 

[NanaReefer]

Ordered one yesterday! Newest version, cup drain & air silencer

 

[The Flying Turkey]

Is there such a thing as having too large a skimmer?