New Reef Octupus Skimmer Thread (Pacific Coast Imports)
- Thread starter Psionicdragon
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Psionicdragon
New member
Price went back up to 430 at the reeftanksupply.com for the 3000.
trmiv
Active member
For you RPS-2000 owners. I found the perfect thing to replace the gasket that covers part of the hole. Go to McMaster-carr and order part 6540K167. It's a double seal viton o-ring. It fits perfectly, and only covers a bit of the hole, much nicer. It actually made my skimmer more quiet, it go rid of straw slurping sound it was making. The bubble density looks higher to me as well, but I;m not sure.
scubaduderon
Member
It comes in quantities of 10
It comes in quantities of 10
Want to sell me one? I'll send you $3.00 for it.
Ron
It comes in quantities of 10
Want to sell me one? I'll send you $3.00 for it.
Ron
scubaduderon
Member
Question...
Question...
I just don't get it. Wasn't one of the mods people are doing is to increase air flow? Now to get the bubble size down you have to decrease air intake?
It seems to me that a unit of this (ever increasing) cost should work out of the box... I have built many different types of skimmers in the past so I'm sure I'll be able to get it going...
My new 2000 is supposed to arrive soon. We'll see.
Ron
Question...
I just don't get it. Wasn't one of the mods people are doing is to increase air flow? Now to get the bubble size down you have to decrease air intake?
It seems to me that a unit of this (ever increasing) cost should work out of the box... I have built many different types of skimmers in the past so I'm sure I'll be able to get it going...
My new 2000 is supposed to arrive soon. We'll see.
Ron
Whaledriver
New member
You dont want to go over a certain air/watermix since the foam cant be sustained over a certain level. Once that air water mix is maxed out you want to get smaller bubbles while still being under the maximum air water ratio. The smaller bubbles have more surface area than bigger bubbles of the same air volume. This increased surface area is what makes productive foam.
Pyrrhus
New member
I trimmed the gasket on mine, added an airtap, and swapped the supplied airline with black norprene. I maybe touch the ball valve once a month and control the skimmer with an airtap. Needle valves are supposed to be quieter, but it doesnt matter in my situation, noise is a non-issue.
I truly dont understand all the hoopla over gate valves for these guys, they are plenty easy to adjust without one.
I truly dont understand all the hoopla over gate valves for these guys, they are plenty easy to adjust without one.
trmiv
Active member
Re: Question...
Re: Question...
Increasing the air path, and metering the air with a precise needle valve are two different things. You don't want the air path restricted by the gasket, but you can use a needle valve to reduce bubble size and actually INCREASE bubble density. Look at the Deltec and H&S skimmers. Both have air valves they come with stock. The Deltec skimmers work best, draw the most air, and have the smallest bubble size with the valve turned down a bit. There's actually an explanation of why this works, for any needle wheel skimmer, in the Deltec forum. Anthony Calfo also touched on it in a large thread on his former forum. Really though, the cost of a needle valve is pretty small. I got mine for like $6.
Re: Question...
Increasing the air path, and metering the air with a precise needle valve are two different things. You don't want the air path restricted by the gasket, but you can use a needle valve to reduce bubble size and actually INCREASE bubble density. Look at the Deltec and H&S skimmers. Both have air valves they come with stock. The Deltec skimmers work best, draw the most air, and have the smallest bubble size with the valve turned down a bit. There's actually an explanation of why this works, for any needle wheel skimmer, in the Deltec forum. Anthony Calfo also touched on it in a large thread on his former forum. Really though, the cost of a needle valve is pretty small. I got mine for like $6.
more questions..
more questions..
I still havent set mine up yet, but I am trying to understand what it is you guys are doing..
Can you show me pics of the gasket you are replacing or trimming? Especially if you have a 3000 model like I do.
As for a needle valve, where would it go? Sorry, I just dont have the skimmer in my hand and not familiar with these mods just yet, as I have had an ASM skimmer and havent done any mods to it.
I guess the gate valve I can hold off on for a while, but might do it if the other mods arent enough.
Appreciate the help guys.
G
more questions..
I still havent set mine up yet, but I am trying to understand what it is you guys are doing..
Can you show me pics of the gasket you are replacing or trimming? Especially if you have a 3000 model like I do.
As for a needle valve, where would it go? Sorry, I just dont have the skimmer in my hand and not familiar with these mods just yet, as I have had an ASM skimmer and havent done any mods to it.
I guess the gate valve I can hold off on for a while, but might do it if the other mods arent enough.
Appreciate the help guys.
G
scubaduderon
Member
Re: Re: Question...
Re: Re: Question...
I see your point about not wanting undue restrtiction now. Thanks for clearing this up. The point is control.
Ron
Re: Re: Question...
I see your point about not wanting undue restrtiction now. Thanks for clearing this up. The point is control.
Ron
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