Octopus Skimmer Mods

[pluvialis]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9411357#post9411357 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Covey
I guess I can't speak for the smaller Octos but the impeller on the OTP-3000 on the larger skimmers has that play built in. Also my MAG drive, maxi-jet and CAP 2200 all have it built in as well.

Are you sure you didn't get anything bound in it or glue on something in all the moding?

I tired at one point to hold the mesh down with a bed of super-glue instead of the wire ties and the glue got in the impeller assemble and seized it. With the impeller glued into one large piece I can tell you that in that form it would not start at all.

For some reason I can not log in as malifluous anymore. But any way, Im the same guy. The impeller on mine would freeze up frequently before I did any mods and I have not used glue so Im sure there is no glue in the impeller. Perhaps some packing is stuck inside? The skimmer is brand new. I can not see anything inside the impleller assembly that would be jammin it. It spins independent of the magnet but only with great force applied.
I spoke to Albert at Aqucave where I got the skimmmer. He said that the OTP 1000 should have play in the impeller and he offered to replace the impeller no problem.

Jeff, I think U may have a broken impleller also. If you got the skimmer from Aquacave, Albert will take care of you and replace the impeller. Ive had similar problems with Ocean runner pumps and these seem to be the same manufacturer.

 

[JCTewks]

Malifilous, I don't know if the impeller is broken or not....the skimmer is still kicking butt and I ain't complaining about 1 1/2 gal of skimate a week and 20 SCFH out of a dnw 110. I got mine from marine solutions who is about 10 miles from me, and Joe takes good care of me with spare stuff when he's got it. when he gets some more of the venturi elbows in I'm going to try and make a venturi that will get 30 SCFH on the OTP1000 pump. right now I think the venturi is the limiter. I don't need any more air at all, but really, what kind of DIYer are you if you ever get satisfied with what you've got

Jeff

 

[Mr Bojangles]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9413561#post9413561 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kurt03
did you test your air before the rodi venturi?
Just wondering if thats whats limiting mine right now.
I have 3 layers of mesh, nw200, and im pulling around 15scfh

its the same ro venturi, and no I didn't get to check it before I wish I could have. I am also using to two layers of mesh. Have you tried putting a small air valve in the venturi? I know it sounds wired but it will suck more air. My air meter with full open is 16~17 cfm, but when I pinch it a little it jumps to 25cfm, its funky, but it works

 

[cthetoy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9412691#post9412691 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mr Bojangles
well I just got my air flow meter and with 2 layers of mesh on the stock NW-200 impeller and the RO tubing venturi I have 25 cfm, dose that sound about right? I am seeing less bubbles in the skimmer but the amount of skimmate looks and makes much more then before

Great info. Im about to mod my NW200 as well. Did you cut any part of the stock needle wheel before you put the mesh in? Was your mesh the Ekamat material?

 

[Mr Bojangles]

nope, I did what impur (thanks) did an just zip tied 3 layers on front of the needle wheels. And the material was P4

 

[hounddog01]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9416425#post9416425 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cthetoy
Great info. Im about to mod my NW200 as well. Did you cut any part of the stock needle wheel before you put the mesh in? Was your mesh the Ekamat material?

I removed the first layer of pins on my impeller and modded the venturi like stated before in this thread. I am getting over 20scfh it pegs the 20scfh meter. I figure i am arround 25 or so.

 

[Mr Bojangles]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9416992#post9416992 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mr Bojangles
nope, I did what impur (thanks) did an just zip tied 3 layers on front of the needle wheels. And the material was P4

my bad, All I did was 2 layers, not three

 

[curtisk]

Anybody here using the new needlwheel quads?

J/K...It's something I modded. I guess it's pulling more air 'cause before I did this I could never run my airline wide open. I had to restrict it almost to the point where it was completely closed off. Now I can run it wide open. Although I'm not seeing any difference in the amount of skimmate. Oh well. Doesn't hurt to try.

 

[newreef8584]

plumbing

plumbing

I am going to be going to Lake Placid for a few days and am in need of a Gate Valve for a mod. These are nearly unobtainable north of the border. I could order one through Savco but shipping will exceed the part. Anyone know where is a good place to go looking fro one in Lake Placid?

As well, any good LFS's in that area?

 

[Papajin]

Re: plumbing

Re: plumbing

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9428759#post9428759 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by newreef8584
I am going to be going to Lake Placid for a few days and am in need of a Gate Valve for a mod. These are nearly unobtainable north of the border. I could order one through Savco but shipping will exceed the part. Anyone know where is a good place to go looking fro one in Lake Placid?

As well, any good LFS's in that area?

Even shipping via US postal service? I always thought it was fairly reasonable to Canada. Regardless, I've personally found it exceedingly difficult to find gate valves locally anyplace, as it's not something you normally find stocked in a plumbing section.

One alternative that you might consider if possible, is to buy through a place like Savko, and have it shipped to an address in Lake Placid where you'll be able to pick it up while you're there. I bet you could even arrange to have it shipped to a parcel store of some sort and have them hold it for you.

 

[kroe]

I just tried the enkemat mod and the wattage draw doesn't seem right... Did I do something wrong?

I have a NW-200. The NW was the two row impeller. I broke the outer row off, left the inner row on (including the nubs)cut two squares of enkemat, and zip tied them to the impeller with a small zip tie every other rung of the impeller. I then cut the enkemat to the size of the impeller and trimmed any danglers.

It is pulling 65 watts on my kill-a-watt. I didn't get a baseling reading, but this seems too high. Did I do something wrong? The foam seems good, but the wattage draw should drop from stock, right?

Before I modified the venturi with 1/4" PEX it was pulling 99 watts, so if anyone has the stock venturi with the mesh wheel definitely do the venturi mod.

 

[Roland Jacques]

65 watts is right about normal for that pump.

 

[hounddog01]

You should try 3 layers. I do not know what it KWH it pulls but mine pulls over 20SCFH of air. I think that is much more important than KWH since it is the amount of air that makes them work.

 

[rleechb]

anyone know where to buy a new venturi? After drilling mine out, even though the intake is louder, the skimmer doesn't seem to perform as well; I wish I hadn't done it.

 

[Mr Bojangles]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9441519#post9441519 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rleechb
anyone know where to buy a new venturi? After drilling mine out, even though the intake is louder, the skimmer doesn't seem to perform as well; I wish I hadn't done it.

its sounds goofy, but you need to put a air valve or something in the intake tube to slow the air down just a but, I did the same thing and thought the same thing until someone told me to do this and it works like a champ

 

[JRod]

Anyone drill into the tube and install a drain to be able to drain the skimmer out if you need to clean it or mod it.

Doing the Mesh mod today and have to pick up skimmer and tip it over to pour water out.

Would love to add one of these, but there lies the fear of cracking the acrylic.

 

[SeaView]

anyone know where to buy a new venturi? After drilling mine out, even though the intake is louder, the skimmer doesn't seem to perform as well; I wish I hadn't done it.

I am seeing similar performance issues. While the air intake seems greater there is also more turbulence in the riser tube and the foam is very wet and not forming well. In order to get the best foam I need to lower the water level height and then the foam doesn't overflow the tube. No matter what height I can't tweek it to perform as well as it was before enlarging the venturi.

 

[hounddog01]

I'm not sure how large you made it but if you stuck to the RO line you should be ok. If you just did it give it a day or two to come to life. I run my water level right at the top of the skimmer body where it starts to taper in.

If you have not done the mesh mod I do not know if this will work very well for you. I am watching mine now and in 2 days there is an inch and 1/4 of skimate in the cup and foam coming up and over the cup riser.

I think the venturi mod and mesh mod need to be done together.

 

[rleechb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9442174#post9442174 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mr Bojangles
its sounds goofy, but you need to put a air valve or something in the intake tube to slow the air down just a but, I did the same thing and thought the same thing until someone told me to do this and it works like a champ

I have an air valve on it. Anyone know where I can buy a new venturi adapter? I was much happier with my skimmer before this mod.

I've been running it for 2 weeks, btw.

 

[Roland Jacques]

last i checked no one had venturis

Check SWC i have not checked there yet. let me no if they have any i need 1 also for a different skimmer.

i think a new shipment is comming soon