Octopus Skimmer Mods

[RichConley]

Jesus christ Cwlrk. This is like any other DIY mod. If you dont do it correctly, it wont work.


I've seen dozens of maxistream mods where people put them together incorrectly, and they dont work. Are you saying theyre a failure as a DIY? Because I sure as hell dont think so.

I've seen plenty of failed DIY calcium reactors. Does that mean DIY calcium reactors are junk? No.

You can't assume that something is crap because people put them together wrong.


As to having it be repeatable, etc. I've done it on a maxijet, an OTP3000, an OR2700, and a Resun King 590 needlwheel pump, and seen significant improvement in each. The reason most of the success stories are between the three of us is because we're the majority of the people trying this.

Again, I've only seen two succesful TinyMight needlewheel pumps. Does that mean theyre crap? No. It just means that some people aren't doing it right.

 

[Robert Patterso]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8051914#post8051914 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
I've seen it on Genx pumps, I've seen it on the octopus pumps, I've seen it on ORs, its all about the threadwheel style impellar.


Robert Patterson, have you made your venturi more restrictive yet? Have you used larger airline (or more airline taps in the venturi?).


Robert, I've only used the short venturi, but I believe roland got better performance out of it than the long one.

Rich what I've done is put two air lines in, both are next each other approx. 5deg angle. I have'nt done anything to restrict water flow at input of pump, if that is what you are talking about, but with the second air line and both pulling air, if I plug one of the lines the water level will rise about 1"-11/2" ins. That tell me its pulling more air. Correct me if I'm wrong. What did do also but removed it, was glue a piece of rigid air line tube to the end of the intake of pump which slowed gph quite a bit. I'm shooting in dark here cause I don't have gph gauge. I removed it to see if it changed air intake, no noticable diff.. To me it seems awful turbilent in skimmer and top of bubbles in skimmer is like club soda fizzing in there. It's been running for 4 days and not one ounce of skimmate. I don't doubt the skimmer is a good one, I've seen pics on here. I need this thing to start making some skum, I got a tank with about 12 or so acro. frags ect.

 

[clkwrk]

This has nothing to do with Spazz's mods with the tiny might so leave him out of this! He is not going around boasting like you .

Also I am talking about the simple cut the nizzel off maxi jet mod ........It is just as simple to ziptie some guttergard onto a NW.

Putting gutterguard on a NW isn't technical :lol: Unlike the MJ stream mod thats has alot more involved.

 

[Robert Patterso]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8052141#post8052141 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Roland Jacques
Robert,
The 2 venturis are pretty close in performance IMO. I do like the short one better. I did some modifications to it also. I don’t think it is necessary to get over 20 scfh with the NW-200. So getting any more air now does not mean much.

I ordered you NW impeller. Ill mod it, test it, and get it to you as soon as I can.

Where you’re at now. I was getting 16- scfh, before I did the venturi work. So you’re not far off. Just wait to you get the GG wheel impeller. That alone may put you into the19s or low 20s. we just have to see.

Thanks Roland, I'm trying to be patient, this thing is about to drive me crazy. ( pretty short trip for me )

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8052327#post8052327 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clkwrk
This has nothing to do with Spazz's mods with the tiny might so leave him out of this! He is not going around boasting like you .

Also I am talking about the simple cut the nizzel off maxi jet mod ........It is just as simple to ziptie some guttergard onto a NW.

Putting gutterguard on a NW isn't technical :lol: Unlike the MJ stream mod thats has alot more involved.

No, its not as simple CLKWRK, because your have to pay attention to certain things. If the zipties are in the wrong place, it binds up the pump. If you put too much gutterguard on, the impellar is too heavy, and it wont spin. If the gutterguard isnt the right diameter, it grinds on the housing.


I'm not boasting. I'm responding to your repeated, unfounded, accusations that Roland and I are lying to you people. Why the hell would I lie about this? Its his mod, not mine

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8052322#post8052322 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Robert Patterso
if I plug one of the lines the water level will rise about 1"-11/2" ins. That tell me its pulling more air. Correct me if I'm wrong. What did do also but removed it, was glue a piece of rigid air line tube to the end of the intake of pump which slowed gph quite a bit. I'm shooting in dark here cause I don't have gph gauge

If blocking one of the airlines cuases the water level to rise, yeah, you're moving more air with both of them open.

I'm not sure what you're doing with the rigid tube. If you want to restrict the venturi to get a higher air/water ratio, you need to make the air intake be between the restriction and the pump. It sounds to me like the restriction is between the air and the pump.

 

[clkwrk]

Whatever! I just wanna see results and so far it very very limited.......

Also I think you seem to have forgotten I own an RPS3000 . So if this can work for many others using the same pump and or skimmer then I may jump on this lil bandwagon until then I value my 1 year manuf warranty .

So with that said lets hear from some other people who have done this mod.

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8052407#post8052407 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clkwrk

So with that said lets hear from some other people who have done this mod.

Thats the whole problem right there.

People like you with their "warrantys" :rollface:

I think its really just a couple of us hacking the crap out of these things. Everyone else is sitting around waiting. THats the problem. Your'e not going to hear from many people, because not many people are willing to try.

 

[Robert Patterso]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8052376#post8052376 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
If blocking one of the airlines cuases the water level to rise, yeah, you're moving more air with both of them open.

I'm not sure what you're doing with the rigid tube. If you want to restrict the venturi to get a higher air/water ratio, you need to make the air intake be between the restriction and the pump. It sounds to me like the restriction is between the air and the pump.

At the very end of venturi which would put air between restriction and pump, restriction, air, pump. With the tube glued on end of intake furthest out to water, the water level in skimmer would drop by a couple of inches easily. I may glue it back on. Have a small sump, quite the drag to get to. Like I said though, with or without seemed to make no diff. in air. You think I should restrict water?

 

[JoeESSA]

Take it no one though much of my suggestion above???

 

[Roland Jacques]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8051232#post8051232 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JoeESSA
Anyone tried using a power head with venturi as feed pump for a recirculating skimmer?

Last night when I changed my Rio 600 out for a mj1200 as feed to my rps-2000 I thought about connecting the air line to the mj1200, but abandoned the attempt when I realized that I would need an adapter to the water feed hose to the skimmer.

Occured to me that I could regulate water feed flow rate to the skimmer by adjusting the venturi to the mj1200 and at the same time introduce more air.

Am I a genius or has this been tried and thrown out before?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8052608#post8052608 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JoeESSA
Take it no one though much of my suggestion above???

You're a genius

 

[B33FST3W]

So has anyone tried the gutter gaurd mod on a NW150? Can someone give me link on how to do this?

 

[ChemE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8051892#post8051892 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Robert Patterso
If anything if someone could give me deminsions of shorter one I could have one machined at the shop I work in. OD,ID and overall length. If anybody has any info. on this it would be appreciated.

PM BeanAnimal. He just recently spent some time designing a real venturi not these hacked up pieces of junk that ship with commercial skimmers. I'm sure you could supply you with a good starting point and I know he was looking for someone to machine one or two for him. Sounds like a match made in heaven.

 

[JoeESSA]

Suppose it's kind of like these big Deltec skimmers with multiple recirculation pumps, well sort of - just use the water feed pump with venturi to push more bubbles into the badboy....Oh, I suddenly feel all trippy with happiness ...aarharr

 

[Roland Jacques]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8052747#post8052747 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by B33FST3W
So has anyone tried the gutter gaurd mod on a NW150? Can someone give me link on how to do this?

Duece tried tryed hes DNW 150 with no improvement. He allready had a modded impeller to a pinwheel. If you would like to bring your by. Im in Stone Mountain you can PM me, we will see what it can do.

Or look at page 7

 

[Deuce67]

In all fairness, I really didnt put too much time and effort to perfect the Rojac GG mod. Ill work on it this weekend and Ill try again.

 

[Robert Patterso]

And let there be skimmate, finally, hoooray skimmate!!!!!!!!

 

[Ereefic]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8054074#post8054074 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Robert Patterso
And let there be skimmate, finally, hoooray skimmate!!!!!!!!

I don't believe you, post a pic. :lol:

 

[boxfishpooalot]

My NW 30" tall 8" diameter rc octopus was not putting out any skimmate at all. Finally I figured out why and it skimms like a champ.

Originally I got mine from SWC (saltwater connection). The skimmer has stock pipe wich looks like an L . My mistake was putting a pipe to lower the effect of water splashing back into my sump. The pipe was underwater and put alot of back pressure on the skimmer. The result was "alkaseltzer bubbles" that popped.

When I removed the pipe that I had in there and just let it "water fall" back into the tank and left the pipe as it came stock, it immediately started to produce shaving cream looking foam. I now have skimmate every day!

So, watch out how you plumb this skimmer if your not getting any skimmate for days, or weeks. Chances are its your plumbing causeing back pressure. Fwiw.


Woops, thought it was the other thread. Hope nobody is mad about posting in a modification thread. Sorry about that.

 

[Robert Patterso]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8054088#post8054088 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ereefic
I don't believe you, post a pic. :lol:

Oh come now, believe me Pleeeease. If I had a camera I would post a pic, many of them! But due to this hobby (ADDICTION!) I can't afford one, I'm broke. And yet I'm already planning a 180g. No priorities. I'll have a camera soon! Then I'll post my 52schf skimmer.:lol: