New Reef Octupus Skimmer Thread (Pacific Coast Imports)
- Thread starter Psionicdragon
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Covey
New member
I said this but I want to point it out again.
I don't think it is:
1-1.5X feed rate by tank rating.
I am getting 2x the performance
1-1.5X feed rate for the SKIMMER RATING
I switched from a mj1200 at 295gph to direct feed at about 400GPH. I was treated yesterday to a full gallon of green tea colored skim in a 24 hour period. This is serious outpacing the smaller pump feed in quality and quantity.
If the organics never make it into the skimmer they will never get skimmed.
I don't think it is:
1-1.5X feed rate by tank rating.
I am getting 2x the performance
1-1.5X feed rate for the SKIMMER RATING
I switched from a mj1200 at 295gph to direct feed at about 400GPH. I was treated yesterday to a full gallon of green tea colored skim in a 24 hour period. This is serious outpacing the smaller pump feed in quality and quantity.
If the organics never make it into the skimmer they will never get skimmed.
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Well, I switched back to the notched o-ring and was getting too much air, causing the large bubbles and turbulence in the neck, So I turned it down with my coarse valve. As soon as I get the right fitting for the dwyer, I'll get some numbers for the RPS-2000 owners. I'm acctually feeling much better now that bubble size is down and density is up.
I may be jumping the gun here again, and will probably wait a few days before I change anything else. I'm currently running a SLOW flowrate through the skimmer, but as Covey has stated below, I may try to boost it up to nearly full strength on the MJ-900.
Obviously the 1-1.5X feed rate is a little subjective. IMO, everyone needs to pretty much get it into a decent range, and then start making adjustments to one or the other, AIR/WATER until they find the "sweet spot" for their configuration.
WE CAN DO IT!
I may be jumping the gun here again, and will probably wait a few days before I change anything else. I'm currently running a SLOW flowrate through the skimmer, but as Covey has stated below, I may try to boost it up to nearly full strength on the MJ-900.
Obviously the 1-1.5X feed rate is a little subjective. IMO, everyone needs to pretty much get it into a decent range, and then start making adjustments to one or the other, AIR/WATER until they find the "sweet spot" for their configuration.
WE CAN DO IT!
tonyf
New member
Dan, it just needs time to settle in 
. I had exactly the same emotions that you have experienced when I first set up my 3000. I understand this. You're also using the same pump I think as the 3000 has so you'll get much more bubble activity -- same bubble numbers in less water -- than what the 3000 has. And of course as you say, the feed rate is subjective but there is an equilibrium to be tweaked for water flow rate and air flow rate -- it's each individual's perception of 'success'. I've had guys who after years have set up becketts following my basic beckett setup and have been knocked out by the skimmate results -- "Wow, never knew it should look like that," they said.
Covey is absolutely right for what he (pardon my presumption)wants to extract from his skimmer. IMHE the amount of DOC that is removed is pretty much the same between wet skim and dry skim ... it's just the amount of water that it comes out with. Hence dry skim = black and wet skim = khaki and everything else in between. Life is just shades of grey, LOL!
I fully agree with your statement, "everyone needs to pretty much get it into a decent range, and then start making adjustments to one or the other, AIR/WATER until they find the "sweet spot" for their configuration."
Skim little Reef Octopus, skim!
Tone
. I had exactly the same emotions that you have experienced when I first set up my 3000. I understand this. You're also using the same pump I think as the 3000 has so you'll get much more bubble activity -- same bubble numbers in less water -- than what the 3000 has. And of course as you say, the feed rate is subjective but there is an equilibrium to be tweaked for water flow rate and air flow rate -- it's each individual's perception of 'success'. I've had guys who after years have set up becketts following my basic beckett setup and have been knocked out by the skimmate results -- "Wow, never knew it should look like that," they said.Covey is absolutely right for what he (pardon my presumption)wants to extract from his skimmer. IMHE the amount of DOC that is removed is pretty much the same between wet skim and dry skim ... it's just the amount of water that it comes out with. Hence dry skim = black and wet skim = khaki and everything else in between. Life is just shades of grey, LOL!
I fully agree with your statement, "everyone needs to pretty much get it into a decent range, and then start making adjustments to one or the other, AIR/WATER until they find the "sweet spot" for their configuration."
Skim little Reef Octopus, skim!
Tone
LOL. I let mine sit restricted for a couple of hours so the bubble size would stay small and compact, and they did. I decided to see if the bubble size had anything to do with the "slime coat" on the riser tube after it had been running for awhile. I Removed the valve and was running full air, with the modified gasket and did not see a negative impact at all, infact, I was PLEASENTLY suprised with the results. LOTS AND LOTS OF SMALL BUBBLES! Terrific density! Lower turbulence than before!
I'm extatic!
I gotta wait until I get off this morning to go home and see what I get.
I'm extatic!
I gotta wait until I get off this morning to go home and see what I get.
You know, I always kind of thought "breaking in" was a scapegoat excuse in most instances. It appears that it is indeed fact!
C'mon guys, take some more pics!
C'mon guys, take some more pics!
Thanks for the info on your skmmate production BLockamon.
Glad to hear the bubble/skimmate production has improved, nebraskareef. My friend's 2000 is "adjusting" as well (he did not do a vinegar wash at all). Good to know there is hope.
tripstank, is the 1000 you just got an additional one to the 2000 you ordered? can you compare the production once they're broken in? Or did you just decide to go with the 1000 instead of the 2000? Thanks
Glad to hear the bubble/skimmate production has improved, nebraskareef. My friend's 2000 is "adjusting" as well (he did not do a vinegar wash at all). Good to know there is hope.
tripstank, is the 1000 you just got an additional one to the 2000 you ordered? can you compare the production once they're broken in? Or did you just decide to go with the 1000 instead of the 2000? Thanks
Re-reading this, it made me think about something. If you folks are using a feed pump, where are you feeding it from? I'm currently feeding with my pump in open water in the sump, which is pretty crappy source for protien rich water. I'm going to put my feed pump either directly into my overflow box, a small catch container from the drain, or most likely redo my drain line to run a direct feed.
Food for though guys.
You know, I have been kicking around the idea of buying a 1000 in addition to the 2000, for that very reason. I'd really like to see some pics of the tiny 1000 in operation. I've only got the one tank setup now, but I feel the 1000 could be useful for a QT tank, or maybe a mushroom setup for my wife.
1000 owners, chime in!
Damn, I've been spamming this thread!
tonyf
New member
I have an ORP monitor mounted in the outfall compartment from the skimmer. It is interesting to monitor the ORP against the build-up of skimmate deposits in the neck of the skimmer. The skimmer gets a clean once a week, almost immediately the ORP rises +/- 20mV. It's peak performance is the first 2 days after cleaning. By the third day as the neck of the skimmer starts to get a dark coating the ORP is already dropping and then levels out after 5 days when it has dropped back to it's starting point again -- sort of a reverse 'J' curve.
Tone
Tone
Tony, I need about a 5-8 hour turnaround from cup cleaning (every 3 days or so) to foam building. I don't think thats TOO bad, My ER would take a comparable amount of time as well. Interesting findings with the ORP probe. Thanks for sharing!
Here are some pics I took just a few minutes ago guys. They aren't the best. One includes the tank that it's skimming, so you get a bioload idea.
Now it's your turn!
Daniel
Here are some pics I took just a few minutes ago guys. They aren't the best. One includes the tank that it's skimming, so you get a bioload idea.
Now it's your turn!
Daniel
LOL!
Tony, that tank is awesome! I don't want to steer this thread off topic but can we get some more specs? Do you have a tank thread?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Tony, that tank is awesome! I don't want to steer this thread off topic but can we get some more specs? Do you have a tank thread?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Covey
New member
I never did post pics of the direct feed and I thought I would post some pics of some nice goop. I wet skim so I don't have any coffee skim pics. It is more a tea colored but I do have some good detritus splatter pics. This is day 3 before I cleaned it.
The best pic of the direct feed too.
A cup pic 3 days of skimming
Crud build up in the bottom of the cup
And here it is about a day later.
I am very happy with this skimmer.
The best pic of the direct feed too.
A cup pic 3 days of skimming
Crud build up in the bottom of the cup
And here it is about a day later.
I am very happy with this skimmer.
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