Skimming at reduced salinity

[Jdgreef24]

I’ve been slowly bringing my tank from 1.020 to .026 within the first 6 weeks it’s been running. Started up my redsea Rsk300 to get it broken in. The skimmer has been running for three weeks and still overskims. Fills up and bubbles overflow right after turning it on. There’s uneaten food in the tank and 7 small fish so there must be waste even though nitrates have not started to show yet. Do skimmers overskim or run poorly at anything less than .025-26? I really wish it would start producing foam or even just stop overflowing. Thanks!

 

[homer1475]

New skimmer?

New skimmers usually will overflow for a few days when first turned on. This is due to manufacturing chemicals and/or oils. Until they wear off, your skimmer will go crazy.

 

[Jdgreef24]

Should I be removing a couple collection cups worth because of those oils? Right now I have it draining into another chamber and it’s been doing the same thing for a while.

 

[homer1475]

Just remove the cup, and let it overflow into the sump. It will calm down in a couple days.

 

[ca1ore]

Skimmers do work 'better' as specific gravity increases …. which is why they don't work in FW. Not sure 1.020 to 1.026 makes that much difference though.

 

[Jdgreef24]

I didn’t think so either because some fish stores run hypo and still use skimmers as filtration. Hopefully the .026 gives it the edge but I’ve also never owned a skimmer this size so I’m learning.

 

[DeniableArc]

Do you have the water line within the sticker on the adjustment knob shaft? I have a rs 300 and it maybe a week to really skim but it’s bullet proof now.

 

[Bryknicks]

You could speed up the "break in" process by running the skimmer in a vinegar and water solution for an hour. I do this with any new skimmer I buy and they work right away when put into use.

 

[Jdgreef24]

Right now I have the adjustable baffle as low as possible on a redsea 350 and the skimmer sits at 6.5 inches. I’ve heard of people precleaning before dropping it in. I may do that if a lot more time goes by. The tank is still very young so there’s that too.