New Reef Octupus Skimmer Thread (Pacific Coast Imports)

[tacocat]

Where are these skimmers and pumps made?

 

[mr. pluto]

i bought the adapter for the 3000 from mc master
here is a pic

it is a 50mm union to a 1 1/2" union # 5460 k15 I
used 1 1/2" pvc to an slip adapter-threaded on the other end.
i used a 1 1/2 screw on barb fitting but i could screw in my gate
valve if needed. then a plastic flex hose to sump .
fully movable and lightweight.

 

[BLockamon]

You could put the gate valve on the water outlet side of the "T" fitting. Just use a short section of 50mm pipe (comes with the skimmer), 50mm x 1.25" union, short piece of 1.25" pipe, and valve. This would be similar to the Alternate Configuration of the ASM Gate Valve Modification shown at the bottom of this link:
http://www.asmskimmer.com/mod1.htm

 

[ghever]

thanks for the pics...

thanks for the pics...

regarding the McMaster adapter...

Yah, its 50mm x 1.5".... is it necessary to have 1.5 on the skimmer output side? I mean, couldnt we further reduce this to 1inch?

Reason I ask is because the bigger the pipe, the more expensive the gate valve is... so if we can reduce down to 1inch, using a 1inch gate valve, Id rate do that..

i'd then buy the 50mm x 1.5in true union adapter (slip to slip), then use a reducer bushing, 1.5in to 1in (slip to slip or slip to thread?) and then connect that to a 1inch gate valve.. and then everything after that would be 1inch..

I guess if we need to keep it 1.5inch, it might be an issue... then again, its just going back to the sump...so I would just have to suck it up and get a 1.5in gate valve...then use 1.5 inch tubing, or if I wanted to use the 50mm provided, I could get another true union slip to slip and go back from 1.5 to 50mm..

your thoughts??

 

[BLockamon]

By the way you don't need a $27 union. You could use a flexible joiner clamp instead (2"x1.5", Part # 4511K74, $4.02 each). That would clamp over the end of the "T" and a short section of 1.5" pipe going to the valve. A 2"x1.25" version is also available (Part # 4511K23, $6.81).

A guess the size would depend on how much water you are putting though it. I'd say a 1" should be able to handle at least 300 gph with no problem. A 1.5" should easily handle 600 gph. I know that this is about 1/2 the "standard" numbers, but I'm being conservative.

A 1.5" gate valve is $21 at McMaster vs. $12 for a 1", so it's not a lot of difference.

 

[Pyrrhus]

under sizing the plumbing would create too much backpressure on the output which could make it hard to control water level.

 

[ghever]

tanks BLockamon

I was talking about using the joiner between the gate valve and the skimmer ... that we need to do for sure right?

If so, why do we need to use the grey piping from the gate valve to sump? Couldnt I just get 1.5in PVC pipe and T fitting for rest of the application after the gate valve??

G

PS: and thanks Skip...

 

[Pyrrhus]

you could even run the converter right out of the ball valve to 1.5 followed by an elbow, the gate valve and then the tee into the sump.

 

[ScubaMedic]

You guys did see how I adapted the skimmer to 1.5" on page 17 correct? It's much cheaper than the adapter. It gives you 1.5" directly out of the ball valve and there is generally enough room to add a gate valve after without raising the water level to high.

I don't know about the 2000 but on the 3000 I took a drill and just notched out the inside of the washer enough to allow a full opening of the hole. I then tacked it in place so it would not rotate out of position when I put the pump on. I will take a picture the next time I pull it apart to clean.

 

[trmiv]

Do you guys find these skimmer quiet? I find this 2000 extremely loud compared to my ASM G1X. It makes a noise that sounds like sucking through a straw on the bottom of a glass, combined with a hissing noise. Someone else mentioned they had a new induction assembly sent that got rid of this sound?

Mine still really isn't skimming. It's been going since Friday, and hasn't generated but maybe 1/2" of very light skimmate. Hopefully by this Friday with a week of breaking in I can start getting something.

 

[ghever]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7072130#post7072130 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ScubaMedic
You guys did see how I adapted the skimmer to 1.5" on page 17 correct? It's much cheaper than the adapter. It gives you 1.5" directly out of the ball valve and there is generally enough room to add a gate valve after without raising the water level to high.

I don't know about the 2000 but on the 3000 I took a drill and just notched out the inside of the washer enough to allow a full opening of the hole. I then tacked it in place so it would not rotate out of position when I put the pump on. I will take a picture the next time I pull it apart to clean.

please do show us a pic...I have not put it together yet, so dont know what washer you are talking about, but sure I will once i put it together....but if you can provide a pic, even better..

I still think I'd like to go with the adapter...your way is clean but I just want it to look as professional as possible..and I dont see a need for ball valve AND a gate valve...we'll see...still need to figure it out.

G

 

[Stephany]

Custom Aquatic called back same day I called them on the RPS-1000, they are in stock for $199.99.
So all this would really need is a gate valve mod... which I could order from that mcmaster place, right?
There would be no drilling necessary right?

 

[mr. pluto]

why do you need a gate valve on the out when you can put a small one on the input? thats why i didn't put mine on

 

[fkdenton]

I have the H.O.B. one and it is just like a CPR Bak Pak2R. Great skimmer got it for 70 dollars on clearence from premium

 

[Stephany]

Why? I don't know, seems people like having them. I ordered it with the smallest sedra needle wheel pump for it.

 

[moriartiholmes]

A gate valve on the exit allows you to control the internal water level and the 'wetness' of the skimmate.

 

[mr. pluto]

if you have the ball valve they provided attached, i know you can fine tune w/ input just as easily. (recirculating only of course)

 

[ScubaMedic]

Here is a picture of the plumbing on my 3000 converted to 1.5" and with a gate valve added.

The cost breaks down as follows:
$5.00 for one 1.5" slip true union to use on the metric union.
$20.00 for one 1.5" slip x slip gate valve.
$1.00 for one 1.5" slip tee.
$0.50 for one slip 90 degree elbow.
$2.00 for the 1.5" pipe.

$28.50 total to convert a 3000 to US and add a gate valve.

 

[Stephany]

Gonna have to wait until next week to measure before I order that stuff. Thank you for that info though. It did ship today.
I ordered the Sedra needle wheel to go with it, just in case. Not sure if it's appropriate though.

 

[elephen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7075296#post7075296 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Stephany
Custom Aquatic called back same day I called them on the RPS-1000, they are in stock for $199.99.
So all this would really need is a gate valve mod... which I could order from that mcmaster place, right?
There would be no drilling necessary right?

You see Reeftanksupply.com has that RPS-1000 listed at $188?