Hot Water?

Sorry double post

 

But this is during initial set up of skimmer. to help it break in faster

 

Yes,it is for the breaking in. I didn't do it thought. Thanks I han't thought about the effect on the glue joints with the hot water.

 

maybe make the skimmer break in faster. heard the plastics contain a lot of oil, maybe it will break away???

 

I agree. That's exactly how I clean mine. I've found with cold water or hot, nothing will remove the fatty residue from the plastic.

From experience with plastic containers and washing dishes, I know that plastic and fats have a special affinity for one another, and you can even wash a plastic container in the dishwasher with caustic soap, and the next day after it dries, the fat comes out of the plastic and it's still greasy. Anyone ever experience this? There is no removing fat from plastic permanently and completely.

Cold water will slow the inevitable deterioration of the acrylic, in my opinion, hot water will speed the process of pitting, crazing and hazing.

And I would think to never, ever use soap.


Oh, and to address the original question, I've never heard of pouring hot water into the skimmer during operation either. If it did cut the oils from the acrylic where are those oils going to go? Eventually; right back into the skimmer!

 

I don't think it meant during operation --just to clean it first. I have found that if I also wipe it down with a Scott towel I remove more stuff.

 

Ash and Mike? Were you stating you were told to hit it with hot water before the first use? If so, I misunderstood your post.

 

FYI Here is a little tip I found out by accidient ----- Using a paper towel may lead to a problem as they have a antimicrobial agent impregnated with in them.

 

Tangster--thanks for the inf on paper towels, I'll use a clean dish cloth from now on.

 

Thanks for all the responses.. So it looks like we did okay when we set it up, we had just rinsed it about four times with warm/hot water, and it has been in our tank since day 1. =)