SCA-301 Protein Skimmer Breaking in?

SmoothSmoke · Apr 20, 2014

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 · Apr 20, 2014

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

SmoothSmoke · Apr 22, 2014

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

Reefing Madness · Apr 22, 2014

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 · Apr 22, 2014

SmoothSmoke said:
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 · Apr 22, 2014

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

SmoothSmoke · Apr 24, 2014

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

Dalmatia · Apr 24, 2014

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 · Apr 24, 2014

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

Reefing Madness · Apr 24, 2014

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

SmoothSmoke · Apr 24, 2014

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

SmoothSmoke · Apr 24, 2014

Dalmatia said:
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 · Apr 24, 2014

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

Thanks for sharing.

SmoothSmoke · Apr 24, 2014

NanaReefer said:
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 · Apr 24, 2014

SmoothSmoke said:
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.