Why do new skimmers overflow?

[Miami Reef]

This might be the dumbest question I’ve asked yet:

Why do new skimmers need to break in? It’s not like it has a brain that detects if it’s new. Isn’t it just a plastic chamber? I can’t wrap my head around why new skimmer would overflow and needs a break in period.

Sorry!

 

[Flippers4pups]

Micro level, the plastic may have oils from manufacturing. So cleaning with vinegar/water helps. Oils effecs water tension and allows the bubbles to break prematurely.

Once clean, a bio film needs to establish it's self on the surfaces, this bio film slows the bubbles as they rise. Thus taking some time to develop.

 

[AdamNC]

From the oils and dust created during the manufacturing process needs to clear out of it.

 

[BestMomEver]

+1 The plastic is too slick for goop to stick to so water just flies out the top. Happens again if you clean it real well.

 

[Captain Quint]

Not really so much of a 'break in period' as it has more to do with the viscosity of salt water being introduced to the new skimmer parts. Different oils, silicons in a new plastic/acrylic skimmer alone will present more foam production while the new skimmer is for all practical purposes being 'cleaned' by the salt water and a natural coating of fish poo and such is collecting/forming, the bubbles get finer or one begins to be able to fine tune depending on make of the skimmer, water level in chamber intended for the skimmer taking longer time period to climb up the neck, picking up waste and creating foam naturally or by tuning. When pretty much rinsed by the saltwater and fine-tuned it works a bit as it is intended.

Hope this made sense and IMHO 'bout sums it up.

 

[Miami Reef]

Thank you everyone!

About the oils; is it dangerous for the tank? Do I need to rinse before hand?

 

[Captain Quint]

Thank you everyone!

About the oils; is it dangerous for the tank? Do I need to rinse before hand?

No. It is not oil as we think it to be.

Often it is silicone based for O-rings and such.

 

[BestMomEver]

Thank you everyone!

About the oils; is it dangerous for the tank? Do I need to rinse before hand?

I rinse everything that goes in.... soap, water, vinegar, water... in that order. Then a quick saltwater bath. Is that overkill... probably. It’s called OCD.

 

[Captain Quint]

I rinse everything that goes in.... soap, water, vinegar, water... in that order. Then a quick saltwater bath. Is that overkill... probably. It’s called OCD.

I'm like that too kinda. lol

I run mine in a bucket of vinegar/RODI fresh for a couple of hours then rinse with RODI fresh, dry it and then into the tank.

Still has to have the bad juju form a slime coat before it seems to work how I like them to. I dunno.

 

[saltyhog]

I liken it to the residual on dive masks that causes them to fog up until thoroughly cleaned of remnants of the manufacturing process. My understanding is that those products on skimmers act like surfactants which causes the overflowing. Kind of like putting a bottle of dishwashing liquid in your Jacuzzi.

 

[HairlessChewbacca]

I'm jumping onboard here too. Just started a new aquarium and have a new Octo Essence skimmer. It's overflowing like a volcano and has been for two straight weeks. Glad to hear others acknowledging that this is normal for a new device. Wish the company would have given me a heads up (or at least recommended that I rinse it with vinegar to help minimize this). Seems strange that the company knows this is coming, but does nothing to warn you.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Aside from any oils left from manufacturing, the inside surfaces need to develop a bio film.

 

[cracker]

All good answers ! I was curious as well. let it flow not going to hurt anything anyway Unless it spills out a sump or the floor for the over the back skimmers.
I can easily see this freaking out someone new to skimmers though . A note in the instructions would be nice .