Adjusting Octopus 100 HOB Skimmer

[Chris Bruce]

I bought this Octopus 100 Skimmer a week or so ago and cannot for the life of me keep the thing from overflowing. I'm doing something wrong or this thing is garbage. Can someone explain to me, please, how to adjust the collection cup without having water pour out from the seams underneath the cup, or from the compartment next the collection cup. Basically, I start this thing up and it pours way too much water into the unit which in turn leaks onto the floor. The pictures I've seen on here from other owners do not seem to have this problem as their water levels inside the skimmer are much lower. I would have spent twice as much on a skimmer had I known I'd be mopping water all week.

 

[dzeadow]

is this stock out of the box? Did you remove the sponge filter on the outlet side? The reason I ask if this is out of the box is, some people have modded this and put different pumps on it, and if you put a pump on it that's too much for the skimmer it would cause it to do this. As for the sponge, removing this would drop the water level in the reaction chamber and overall skimmer as it is not causing any back pressure. Also, have you checked to make sure there were no obstructions in the outlet pipe? i.e. snails?

 

[Chris Bruce]

Thanks for replying. It's out of the box and about 9 days running. I did remove the sponge but that's the only modification I made. It made no difference in terms of water level - I thought that it may. There are no snails in it I just checked. Maybe buying a new pump is the answer. Could anyone make a suggestion on a pump at a reasonable price?

 

[dzeadow]

That's odd. The pump that comes with it should be fine... I'm still waiting on my 100F, so I can't give complete advice. Did you raise the collection cup by using the rubber o-ring? I'm just trying to think out loud here. have you put any medication in the tank recently?

 

[VengefulNemesis]

Check to make sure the airline is not kinked, drawing in more water and less air. It may not looked kinked but it probably is. Pulling the sponge will make the water level drop to the top of the divider unless there is to much water being drawn in.

 

[FishAreFriends2]

Thats never happened to me neither. I agree with vengeful make sure your airline isn't kinked or clogged. If its clogged your water level will rise. I hope that air line isnt in the water if its heads in the water it would be sucking water instead and also cause the water to rise. And are you using any checmicals like amqual, or conditioners if so that will cause your skimmer to react and might overflow... one last idea, where is your exit pipe facing if its facing the wall make sure there is enough space for the water to come out or else it would cause the water to rise.

 

[Chris Bruce]

That was it - my airline was kinked horribly and it was covered up with intake cover so I never even knew...thanks!

 

[VengefulNemesis]

Glad to hear you got it all worked out . I only know this because it happened to mine, it's something to keep an eye on.

 

[happyface888]

Glade to know all is well

 

[pIankton]

Word of advice. The best airline that I've found for this unit is the 1/4" ID. Right now, I've been using RO water tubing. It's a bid more rigid and 1/4" ID.