break in?

so what is skimmer break in? what is actually happening?
is it a matter of breaking the surface tension of the skimmer housing and/or allowing the protiens to build on the walls of the skimmer so excess can be carried out with the bubbles?
is a matter of science in cohesiveness?
where are all the physics buffs around here?

 

I may be wrong but I beleive people on here said that its just the oils from when it was produced that are being removed when you first turn it on. And I have also read that you can soak the skimmer in vinegar to lose the break in period.

 

Jturnbull summed it up IMO
New skimmers have oils/ grease etc on them and these prevent the formation of froth/ foam on the walls of the skimmer - the foam gets created but collapses before any of it reaches the collection cup
once these are cleaned/ cleared off the skimmer starts to function properly

Steve