New Reef Octupus Skimmer Thread (Pacific Coast Imports)

[drock59]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6959563#post6959563 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by condair
I read in the first few pages of the thread that there is an air intake problem. He describes the gasket blocking 80% of the hole. Ilooked at mine and it is partially blocked. I am going to get an O-Ring instead of the flat hose type rubber washer and see if that helps. Even slightly blocked this thing bubbles like crazy.

what page was this on?

Dan

 

[sknoch78]

drock59 the problem you talk about with the water going up the airline and not being able to start on its own once restarted, is a direct result of the gasket blocking the airhole partially. I spoke to the distributer about this problem and he said it has come up before and the reason had to do with the gasket being mis-aligned. I think the O-ring idea may be a good solution to keep the blockage from happening. I would take it apart and take a look.

Shawn

 

[drock59]

Just took it apart and I am not seeing a blockage. I dont understand the problem. IF someone could take a pic I would greatly appreciate it.


I have now removed all gaskets fromthe entire skimmer and it still does not restart on its own. I ordered a new induction assembly, maybe that is the problem.

 

[condair]

Go to page 1 or page 2 of this thread. there is a great post about this. If you look at the hole the airline tubing attaches to you will see that the hole is drilled half way in, then it turns 90 degrees and is drilled from the face of the union. the gasket that seals both halves of the union(which looks like a garden hose washer). yo should notice that whith the washer in place it blocks like 60% of the air intake hole.

And yes it is the union between the pump and the skimmer on the external models.

 

[drock59]

ok i see, so why on Earth would they do this? Seems kind of rediculous no?

 

[condair]

It still works good, BUT could it work better? As far as the water rising up in the airline...thats normal. when the pumps is off water will seek its own level. just make sure the airline is always the highest part of the skimmer body.

However, you shouldnt have to blow into it to get the air going. Mine is blocked and it fires up right away. FYI, the intake will need to be cleaned out now and them. dust and salt creep will block it.

 

[drock59]

Ill wait until tomorrow or friday and see what happens with the new induction assembly.

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

More Pics More Pics More Pics!!!

This looks like an awesome skimmer for the money.

 

[condair]

OK, I removed the gasket that blocks a good portion of the air intake. I carefully cut some of the center out with a razor. this basically enlarged the ID of the gasket. now it only blocks about 20% of the hole. Reassemble and start. I left the settings alone like water in and outlet valves. It works better. I can see a noticable increase in bubbles, size is still very small. I actually had to adjust the flows to keep from wet skimming. We shall see.

The cylinder does have more bubbles in it. Still very quiet.

 

[Pyrrhus]

The issue with the RPS-2000 needing the air primed on restart is a bit of a PITA, but price and performance considered I am willing to deal with it. I have not heard of this issue on any other models. I am convinced that this is not caused by the o-ring because I have cut a notch out in the o-ring and it blocks less than 10% of the air intake on the skimmer.

 

[drock59]

Ya, I removed the O ring, running in sump, and the problems persisted.

Also, some of you say this skimmer is quiet. I have what I like to call a "stealth reef." My set up is rediculously quiet and I love it. So, when you say quiet, could I get a comparison? How quiet is quiet?

 

[labragg1]

Which one to get???
Ok, so I was thinking about giving one of these skimmers a try on my new 220 gal tank that I'm getting ready to setup. I will be running a 75gal sump under the tank and want to run it in-sump.

I don't really have the cash to go for the re-circ model, so which of the others would be the best?
I was looking at the NW-200 needlewheel and the DD-150 downdraft model
Which one would work the best for me?
They are both around the same price.
I was running a CSS 220 needlewheel on my previous 120 gal tank and was wondering if one of these units would perform better?

I would appreciate any input.

 

[drock59]

sell your soul for the recirc. Im having problems and still love it.

 

[labragg1]

ok... so if I don't sell my soul.....would you go dd or needlewheel.

And can't you just mod the needlewheel for re-circ later?

 

[trmiv]

Get the needle wheel. Yes you can mod it for recirc later, but you can't use it externally.

 

[labragg1]

Thanks. I wasn't planning on running it externally anyway.

 

[labragg1]

Anybody done the re-circ mod on the Octopus NW-200? Also any other mods to this skimmer worth doing. I have a little time before I get my new tank set up, so I was thinking of doing the mods beforehand if they are worth it.

 

[Pyrrhus]

for those who are considering modifying the non-recirc models, keep in mind that all of the fittings on these skimmers are metric fittings and US standard fittings and plumbing will not work with them.

 

[drock59]

I got the new induction assembly and it is MUCH quieter. Must have been a problem in manufacturing with the other. Im pleaed now.

 

[dhnguyen]

Pictures.... I wanna see more pictures of these guys in action.