MCE600 Break in

Question:

Hi, I received my Deltec MCE300 yesterday, set it up according to your directions. Its now been 24 hours and I have minimal foam production and nothing in my collection cup. My air tap is at the recommended 1/4 past the 2 oclock position. Im aware there is a slight break in period, yet Ive seen multiple other results from 24 hours of skimming, and my skimcup results dont even compare.How long is the break in period? Is this to be expected? 290 bucks for a skimmer- Im hoping it kicks in ASAP, or Im returning this thing back to the place I purchased it from. Thanks, looking forward to a response.

Answer:

John

The trick with the MCE300 is not to run at the 2 oclock position but to set it as follows.

Close the air tap fully and you will hear that the pump gets noisy, (this is the impellor being pushed forward and scraping off the front plate)
Open the air tap slowly until the noise just disappears (has moved back away from the face plate) this is the optimum position.

Then simply move the cup down into the water to raise the head or move it back towards the lid to reduce the head.

I will pass this to Marvin too who will be able to give further assistance if you need it. marvin@theaquariumsolution.com

Cheers
Stuart

Response

Stuart,
Thanks for timely response.The position of airtap that you speak of is actually right about the 2 o'clock position.I did exactly as described,had the airtap off,heard the pump laboring,then released until right after I heard the psshhhh sound.Also,my collection cup is pushed down.Zero skim in the collection cup.can you address my question regarding the break in period? Thanks,
John

DD Response

Unusual John

Couple of questions

1 - Is the skimmer producing a lot of bubbles?

2 - How old is the tank set up

3 – What stocking do you have

4 – How heavily are you feeding?

5 – what is the salinity

Cheers

Stuart

Response

Stuart,disregard last email,accidentally sent with no text. Yes,the skimmer is producing a lot of bubbles.The tank is about 6 months old with a salinity of 1.023.The stock is two oscellaris clowns,a wrasse, a goby,a flamehawk,an open brain,a handful of small acan colonies,some chalices,a torch coral and some inverts.feeding is moderate to heavy.Once again,my old skimmer was pulling a good amount of skim.I did forget to clean the skimmer w vinegar.Is this recommended?could the oils in the skimmer chamber be neutralizing the foam production?

DD Response

John

It can take a few days to settle most skimmers down and also high fatty foods and additives can also kill the foam.

When I feed red plankton it kills the foam on my tank completely and that is only 1 or 2 cubes in 600 gallons of water.

Give it a little time and I am sure that it will settle down as you are not the first to run this skimmer

Cheers

Stuart

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