New Reef Octupus Skimmer Thread (Pacific Coast Imports)

[trmiv]

Haven't gotten my skimmer yet, but I plan on using a Mini-jet 606 that I use on my ASM G1X. Although I think I probably need a bigger pump now that I think about it. I currently only pump like 5 inches to my skimmer, with the external it's going to be like two feet. I'll likely end up with a Maxi-jet 900, since it's much more energy efficient than the 1200 and doesn't pump that much less.

 

[drock59]

I am wondering if the MJ 1200 is too much for the skimmer.

 

[trmiv]

You only want to be feeding your skimmer 1 to 1.5x your water volume per hour. If you are feeding the skimmer with an MJ 1200 unrestricted without a lot of head pressure, you are feeding too much to your skimmer. You can test it out. Get yourself 5 gallon container, time how long it takes the pump to fill that container through your feed hose, and then work that out over an hour to see what GPH you are feeding your skimmer. Then either get a smaller pump, or use a valve to restrict the feed pump until you get around 1 to 1.5x your water volume per hour.

 

[drock59]

ive heard the 1.5x turnover rule but i am not sure I buy it. What is the reasoning behind it?

 

[condair]

Tigerarmy,
Why pay more for a skimmer like H&S, Deltec or so on when this thread proves the ability of the RPS-3000? Those are all good skimmers but come on, were talking about some plastic, a few fittings, an hour or two of labor and a pump. then charge $900 to $1000. No Way, I'm out! No offense.

My 3000 kicks azz love it and glad to have saved $500 or more.
BTW i lived in Clovis, CA for 24 years, born there actually.



Everyone else, I used an old, had it in a drawer, runs, cheap RIO 700 or something like that. I'm not sure of the M# but its a small RIO. I put a valve on the inlet and i use a clear hose out of the skimmer to determine flow. right now the outlet runs level for 3 inches and its a 1 1/4" ID hose. it runs with the water about 1/3 up the sides. When i ran the flow faster it made to skimmer turbulent at the neck (a tad) and it seemed like it didnt skim as good. I can put a photo in later this week. I think i am running about 200 gph.

 

[dhnguyen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7015373#post7015373 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drock59
ive heard the 1.5x turnover rule but i am not sure I buy it. What is the reasoning behind it?

less turbulence which means better skimming.


D.

 

[tigerarmy40]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7014562#post7014562 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sknoch78
It is not uncommon for someone with a new product in a given market to do an initial offering of said product to get people to try it out. The idea behind this is that most people are reluctant to fork out good cash on an unproven product. However, people are willing to take a chance when there is a financial incentive to do so. I would be one of those people. I am putting together a 240g SPS tank. I have spared no expense on setting it up. I had planned to spend a considerable chunk of change on a name brand skimmer, that is until I walked into my LFS and they had these on display. At over half the cost, I figured it was worth a shot. My point is that many companies do this. They want to create a buzz about there product. I would have to say mission accomplished. As for the fact that it costs so little to produce. While the manufactures cost may be significantly lower, that number is not entirely accurate. That number is more than likely a cost based on quantity. You can make one at x but you can make 1,000 for marginally more. There pricing also would not reflect importing as well as the costs incurred by the distributor and or LFS. The fact of the matter is that this is a nice skimmer for a good price. If you don't like it, don't buy it. Just my .02

Shawn

take it easy bro, check your tone....I am not saying I dont like it and maybe you didnt read my first line....what I am saying is that I watched these on some online sites(not going to mention any names) and ebay for months and I didnt see any price change until a few pages into this thread!!! I guess its just kinda discouraging to actually watch the price rise, kinda like fuel prices....I dont know if I will try one not only based on this but the skimmate I have seen tends to be very light in color, I have only seen one guy come through with some good dark skimmate!

condair,
I here ya, maybe I could come by some time and check out your skimmer for my self and see what its really like!!!

 

[scarletknight06]

tigerarmy,
i'm with you. I was excited about these until the price was raised. there are more proven options for not much more $$ IMO.

 

[drock59]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7015637#post7015637 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dhnguyen
less turbulence which means better skimming.


D.

Im not seeing any turbulence in the kneck. I take it this is ok then?

 

[Pyrrhus]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7014562#post7014562 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sknoch78
It is not uncommon for someone with a new product in a given market to do an initial offering of said product to get people to try it out. The idea behind this is that most people are reluctant to fork out good cash on an unproven product. However, people are willing to take a chance when there is a financial incentive to do so. I would be one of those people. I am putting together a 240g SPS tank. I have spared no expense on setting it up. I had planned to spend a considerable chunk of change on a name brand skimmer, that is until I walked into my LFS and they had these on display. At over half the cost, I figured it was worth a shot. My point is that many companies do this. They want to create a buzz about there product. I would have to say mission accomplished. As for the fact that it costs so little to produce. While the manufactures cost may be significantly lower, that number is not entirely accurate. That number is more than likely a cost based on quantity. You can make one at x but you can make 1,000 for marginally more. There pricing also would not reflect importing as well as the costs incurred by the distributor and or LFS. The fact of the matter is that this is a nice skimmer for a good price. If you don't like it, don't buy it. Just my .02

Shawn

Well said.

As far as being proven, have there yet been any unhappy owners? I know that the RPS-3000 will outperform a Tunze 9015, I also know that it will outperform an Aqua-C, and has at least operated at the level of an ER, all of these are well established skimmers that are known to perform well. Seems to be proving itself rather quickly IMO.

 

[tigerarmy40]

Im not going to continue to argue I was only making a point for dicussion reasons and got rude answers back! you guys obviously are not interested in discussion unless its pro octopuss. I think sknoch could have sadi everything he said except the last line I wouldnt feel as if he was tryin to take a shot at me for rasising a discussion topic!!!

 

[Pyrrhus]

I didnt see anything that was a shot at you Tiger, but I guess it could be read differently.

As far as anti-octo or pro-octo I dont really care, please post your opinions. That is why we come here after all. Arguing about skimmers is a bonus.

 

[Psionicdragon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7014210#post7014210 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tigerarmy40
Im not posting this as a bash but c'mon, why would anyone pay these prices when yoiu could get a skimmer that has been proven for just a small chunk of change more......I really was thinking that I was going to try one out until the sudden price increase! these guys are still getting them at the same price but yet they saw the interest in them and bang!! perfect opp for filling their pockets

From another opinion, the skimmer has been tested...as deltecs. They are just clones and would basically work the same if they had a needle/pin wheel that chop enough bubble.

From another opinion, true its expensive to try something new. However, if you have cash, you can do as you please (you used in a general term).

From another opinion, ya..the skyrocketting price made me decide to bail on it for the time being. If you are referring to the first price posted, that price is not correct because a single customer didn't order a Container worth of these to get that price.

 

[Psionicdragon]

Anyway,

This thread is getting good, so take a step back and chill.


Could someone explain how these can be run externally?

 

[Pyrrhus]

its pretty simple, you just run a line from your overflow or pump to the skimmer, and the output comes with enough PVC to plumb it up to about a foot and a half to the sump and an elbow to go down into the sump. make sure all o-rings are in place and all fitting are tightened and/or glued, and fire her up. run the drain hose into a collector or a bucket.

 

[drock59]

What do you mean? THey are all sealed up, all you need is to dump the return water into the sump.

 

[trmiv]

My skimmer is here!! So I'm trying to set this thing up. I've got everything put together, except there is this extra small union in the box. Anyone know what this thing is for? It's a union the same size as the threads on the feed.

Also, there are four white seals `that were included. I know where two go, where do the other two go? Spares?

 

[Pyrrhus]

its there if you want to hard plumb in the feed line. just swap the socket with the barb portion of the feed union.

 

[trmiv]

Ahh. And the two extra white seals? Also, what size PVC fits this Tee on the exit side? And I assume I need to use PVC cement to attach the exit riser to the true union?

 

[Pyrrhus]

dry fitting the PVC worked for me, but gluing it would be better. As far as pipe size its 50mm on the output for the RPS-3000. 3/4" vinyl works for the input plumbing. The white seals should be on the pump or are extras.