New Reef Octupus Skimmer Thread (Pacific Coast Imports)

[Covey]

Just got my 3000 yesterday and thought I would post some pics.

For size comparsions.
Here's a pic for size comparsion.
The 3000 on the left.
The MR-1 on the right.
and just for kicks a seaclone fits in the neck of the beast.

Here it is shortly after hookup. In all its milky glory.

It hasn't started skimming let but I am really impressed with it so far.

Hopefully I have some nasty foam pics tomorrow.


BTW for those looking for a perfromance boost for cheap. I've read the last couple pages of this thread and I had a suggestion. I noticed you can blow about twice as much air thru the venturi than it draws before it starts to trip the pump up. I was thinking before everyone starts craving these up to try different pumps and parts you could just run a modest size air pump nothing crazy just a boost to put some more air in it.

I am impressed with it stock anyway.

 

[BLockamon]

Covey, yeah I have considered an air pump. You can get a (supposedly) quiet, high-flow one from Aquatic Ecosystems for about ~$65--85. Of course, the Ocean Runner 3700 is only $90.

I figured I'd try a venturi and volute (~$25 total) first and then go from there. My next try would be the OR3500 w/ the Octopus needlewheel...but only because I have the OR3500 already.

Did the bubble size change much with the higher air flow (or could you tell after your vision started to blur)?

 

[tonyf]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7345561#post7345561 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BLockamon
tonyf, please keep us posted! If you can, please post pictures of the two venturi nipples. I'm curious whether mine if affected. Thanks.

I'll post the manufacturer's diagram when I get home from work.

Tone

 

[mr. pluto]

by the weekend i'll have the ocean runner bolted on
just got to sand & glue a bit.
you know, a fine pore air stone or 2 w/ a decent air pump
would probably be a better mod. then bolting on pumps.
way easier on people who have limited dyi skills like me.

 

[spykes]

uhm im doing 12lpm with a or2700 what are you guys doing?? just use the sedra5000 venturi with the or2700

 

[Covey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7348857#post7348857 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BLockamon
Covey, yeah I have considered an air pump. You can get a (supposedly) quiet, high-flow one from Aquatic Ecosystems for about ~$65--85. Of course, the Ocean Runner 3700 is only $90.

I figured I'd try a venturi and volute (~$25 total) first and then go from there. My next try would be the OR3500 w/ the Octopus needlewheel...but only because I have the OR3500 already.

Did the bubble size change much with the higher air flow (or could you tell after your vision started to blur)?

The bubbles stayed the same size. You wouldn't have to have much of an air pump since the venturi is still sucking air. The $7 walmart air pump in my closet wasn't quite enough but you will don't need to spend $85.

For anyone that is curious just give it a try. Blow air into the silencer. There is quite alot of room to work with with the stock pump.

Mine 3000 is pretty milked out I am wondering how many "bad venturis" there are floating around.

One thing I did notice with the brand new one I got is that it came with more than enought metric PVC so I don't have to try coverting. Maybe their listening.

 

[BLockamon]

spykes, OR2700 or OR3700? I've got a Sedra venturi on the way (should be here Monday), glad to hear it works with the OR.

 

[nebraskareef]

Tone, Do you have the diagram yet? How long did it say they would take to get you the new venturi?

Thanks again
Daniel

 

[tonyf]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7344927#post7344927 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tonyf
The skimmer manufacturer has advised me that there has been a batch of the venturi nipples (short length of pipe connecting the skimmer to the pump inlet) that has a misaligned shaft. The shaft referred to is the one that runs // to the length of the nipple and exits at the pump end -- it connects the air inlet with the venturi outlet. This shaft is drilled too close to the edge and breaches the water inlet tube of the venturi nipple -- a very small pin hole near the end of its penetration into the wall of the venturi nipple.

A replacement part has been dispatched to me for testing.

Must say that Reef Octopus manufacturer and its local Australian agent have been absolutely first class to deal with. Well done!

Tone

Here we go Peoples ... sorry for the delay, golf got in the way!

Tone

 

[Covey]

If that what they are talking about I think you could just drill it out.

 

[tonyf]

As a temporary fix, I attached a cheap 520L/hr air-pump to the venturi tube and this is the result after a week ...

Top quality foaming

The skimmate - a mug full of black gunk

My only conclusion is that these are great value skimmers ... hallelujah!

Tone :bum:

 

[tonyf]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7356965#post7356965 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Covey
If that what they are talking about I think you could just drill it out.

Covey, you don't want the hole there as it 'kills' the venturi effect.

Tone

 

[scubaduderon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7356901#post7356901 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tonyf
Here we go Peoples ... sorry for the delay, golf got in the way!

Tone

Those drawings look identical to me. I don't get it.... I have poked a thin metal wire through the hole and there is no restriction. Does that mean my 2000 is ok?

If so it still won't self start.

I am working on a solution. A method of slightly restricting the flow of the water upstream from the hole creating lower pressure to draw air in. It works but isn't perfected yet. Almose though. I'll let everyone know when I've got it.

Ron

 

[tonyf]

Ron, sorry for the small diagram. The right hand partial section titled "Unacceptable one" indicates a small pin hole where it is circled and annotated "A hole penetrated through". The left hand partial section is how it should be and is titled "Acceptable one".

I think that the easiest way to determine if you have the pin-hole is to shine some light down the venturi nipple and see if there is a pin-hole. Maybe it can be felt with a finger?

Tone

 

[scubaduderon]

The light test showed another potential problem...

The light test showed another potential problem...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7357106#post7357106 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tonyf
Ron, sorry for the small diagram. The right hand partial section titled "Unacceptable one" indicates a small pin hole where it is circled and annotated "A hole penetrated through". The left hand partial section is how it should be and is titled "Acceptable one".

I think that the easiest way to determine if you have the pin-hole is to shine some light down the venturi nipple and see if there is a pin-hole. Maybe it can be felt with a finger?

Tone

Thank you Tone, I tried the light down the ventury test and mine passed, but showed another potential problem. If the nipple is pushed too far in it will partially obstruct the air flow. Mine was perhaps 10% obstructed. I simply put a drill bit in the other hole and shaved a little plasic away from the inserted nipple pipe.

I don't believe this will fix the failure to draw air after a power loss problem so I'll keep trying other ways.

What kind of pump did you use?

Thanks again,
Ron

 

[Paulairduck]

rubber washer question

rubber washer question

I just received my 2000 and this thing looks great, built like a tank. Only thing I question is the pump, but I have not tried it yet. I did notice that during assembly that when I installed the washer that it covers the venturi hole. I am assuming that this should not be the case, and I was wondering, what to do? I see that you can cut a hole in it, but to me, it is more of a design problem. I was wondering what are the popular solutions for this, I have seen many on the 3000 but very few on the 2000. I know somebody has some ingenious idea. thanks

 

[scubaduderon]

Either cut a notch in the washer or get

Either cut a notch in the washer or get

a different one. There are washers from McMaster-Carr that have an x shaped cross section.

trmiv came up with it and to quote from page 19 of this thread:

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.

They come in 10 packs and trmiv sent me a couple for free. What a nice person!

Ron

 

[Paulairduck]

Thanks

Thanks

Thats exactly what I needed !!!

thank you

:rollface:

 

[BLockamon]

tonyf, do you have a model number for your air pump? Thanks!

 

[tonyf]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7359074#post7359074 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BLockamon
tonyf, do you have a model number for your air pump? Thanks!

It's an 'el cheapo' Aqua One Precision SR9500 air pump from China -- don't know if you guys have them.

Tone :bum: