New Reef Octupus Skimmer Thread (Pacific Coast Imports)

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i have no experience with the 2000, but my 3000 is currently skimming very thick and dry foam...I need to wet it down a tad, but overall, its doing well...I really dont know how to comapre it to my G1x, its obviously a much bigger and stronger skimmer... as for dialing it in... not really much to do...I did the gate valve mod... also the washer mod for the venturi, I think others are looking to increase the airflow through the venturi through other mods.. but for me, I am happy with what I am getting right now.

G
 
Thanks ghever. I'm glad to hear that you're able to get dry foam with just the basic mods people are discussing here.

Comparing skimmers is tough, but would you say that you have more skimmate (and/or darker skimmate) with the 3000 vs your G1x? Thanks

I know there probably aren't many people out there who can directly compare the 2000 and 3000, so I appreciate your feedback (and anyone else's). Just trying to figure out if the new purchase is worth the cost. I have experience with several other skimmers, so I thought trying to get a comparison with something I know might help. Thanks in advance.
 
well, you have to understand that my G1x was probably undersized for my 120, so it was generating VERY dark skimmate.. I cannot tell right now how dark my skimmate is on my 3000 because its draining into a jug that had some water in it already to dilute the smell.. i will try to remove the contents and try to collect some skimmate over a week in a coke bottle or something to see how dark the skimmate is.... but after I cleaned out the neck of my 3000, the gunk was very dark...

the G1x probably filled its cup up in about a couple of weeks.... obviously the 3000 doesnt fill up its cup since it drains... and cup is much larger so hard to compare...so I cannot say which one pulls out more junk....but I would think that the 3000 does...like I said, over the weekend I will try to wet my foam up a tad... right now its too dry... almost like the kind you can blow on in bubble parties at the clubs hahaha....seriously though, I think it could use a tad more wettness.

G
 
Thanks, ghever, that'd be great. Thank god the bubbles in clubs don't smell like skimmate bubbles!

Any other comparisons to other skimmers would be much appreciated as well.

Has anyone bought the 3000 and then moved down to the 2000? or the other way around?
 
I also am running my 3000 to dry.. It is pulling our about 1/4 - 1/2 cup of tar like junk every day. It is pure black.
 
55kfog, if you have the room, definitely go with the 3000. I am starting to really like mine. I originally set mine kind of wet, but I haven't cleaned the neck in about a week and a half. It's now really dry. Time to clean. BUT, I've got a 4" x 12" collection vessel about 2/3 full of dark junk in that time.
 
55kfog, I'm running my 3000 just off-dry so the foam doesn't stick under the lid -- it gently slides down the tube after expulsion -- and I'm getting about just over a mug full of black gunk each week. See the pictures a couple of pages back. These skimmers DO work nicely whether it is the 2000 or the 3000 model. You'll need about 32" clear inside your cabinet to fit the 3000 and be able to take off the cup for cleaning. If you modify the skimmate outlet on the cup (move it from the bottom to the side) you can save an inch in clearance.

Tone :))
 
Thanks for all of the input. Glad to hear it's doing the job nicely for you all. I've been planning an upgrade for a while now, but have been waiting to move (which is now in the works).

I should have about 140-160G total, and will have at least 32" of clearance. Having that figure helps alot- thanks Tone.

I don't really like the idea of modding a new item, but perhaps I will for better production. Did you other 3000 owners also do the washer mod to the venturi? I'll be well below the 400G rating, so I'm wondering how important this mod would be for me. Thoughts? Thanks
 
55kfog. I'd recommend that you do the washer mod -- very simple -- and the clear-out of the air inlet grommet on the venturi, to make 100% sure that your skimmer will perform at its best. Oh, and another thing, runs a vinegar solution through the skimmer overnight to clean any residues. These are big skimmers and have plenty of acrylic surface to hold residues. i didn't clean mine and it took 2 days to start to foam and a week before it really got cracking.

Tone
 
Start it just below the top of the grey collar Maaate, and see how it goes. Make your adjustments from there. :-) How you going, Zsolt?

Tone :-)
 
I run the bubble break line in my 3000 about 1/2 way up the collection cup. With the pump off, the water level is just about at the union.

Second the gasket mod. A few dabs of superglue and a knife and you're done (watch those hands...safety first). I haven't tried the grommet mod yet, but I will probably do so this weekend.
 
Most of these comments and mods could be classified under "How to make a $400 skimmer perform like and $1200 skimmer". Dead stock these skimmer still beat anything in this class.

Very happy with my 3000.
 
here is a pic of my bubbles...

c1efdc8d.jpg
 
get a free account @ photobucket. upload your pics
& copy clip the img. box.
why, yes it is... it's like swirling powder...
 
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