orca skimmers

[hahnmeister]

No, I dont have an octo myself. I was basing that off of RichConley's posts w/ a kill-a-watt, as well as others in the octopus skimmer modding thread. Im sure it depends on the impeller you use as well... mesh modding, clipping the needles, how many layers you use, what kind of material, etc... can all affect the actual wattage. From what I remember, these pumps are running about 40% over spec.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

TY.

 

[steve the plumb]

I am getting a skimmer from ORCAI just was surprised to see this becket work aswell as it does.My LFS guy said the same thing he has never seen a skimmer work aswell as this brand.The company is C&C Marine out of Quebec but they don't have a web site.I swa the skimmer in action and I have to say it was pulling alot of nog.I wouldn't go out and buy it but it did work well.He was running a coralife pump on it.I liked to diffuser plate.I will try and take some pics the next time I go to the store.

 

[andyjd]

I've asked ORCA for a quote

 

[smackwater]

congrats to whoever received that 3 pump beast it looks awesome and made it into the orca systems gallery!

thanks

 

[hahnmeister]

I think Ill be giving orca a call about my skimmer idea. Think Ill use a Red Dragon clone based on a Laguna Utility7 pump to get about 2500lph of air (prolly only 2000 on a 4' tall skimmer though). That is, if Spazz is too busy...lol.

Something like this...

 

[andyjd]

I'm waiting for my quote at the moment

 

[steve the plumb]

hahn send him your diagram maybe he will use it and name the skimmer after you.Seems like a nice big skimmer.I am interested to see what he can build you.Its nice to have a good knowledge of skimmer design it helps.I wish I knew more about skimmers.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

Laguna what? Never even heard of that? Is it a pond pump like mag?

 

[hahnmeister]

Bit overkill for a 160g system, eh? But I figure if its that big I can run up to a 500g with it (plan on making a 6'x6'x2'h tank when I move). And right now, I am running SPS, AND, I want to be able to run the skimmer for only 1/2-1/3 of the day. Its in a livingroom, and I dont care what you say about pump noise... a skimmer is a column of water with bubbles in it so you get that foam sound all day long otherwise. So I figure I can get a skimmer that is 2-3x what I would normally use (so something big enough for a 500g) and put it on a timer so that it only works from midnight until 8am. This is also when pH tends to dip, and when skimming seems to happen the most (my skimmers dont skim much during the day, but an hour or two after the lights are off... whoah!).

Sound idea, no?

 

[allykahn]

What is the typical turnaround time for a quote from ORCA?

 

[smackwater]

I was quoted 10 working days

 

[allykahn]

10 working days for a quote? Seems like a long time.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9719269#post9719269 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister

Sound idea, no?

You can only go so big till you hit a point where it's uneccesary and not going to skim more....after it 'catches up' it will regularly skim less than the initial period and no more than a smaller yet big enough for the system would- imo
Hahn...if it really bothers you that much then just run it the 14-19 hrs from going to bed until relaxing back at home after work everyday?

 

[smackwater]

My bad

thought you wanted lead way times on build.

Was the next day on a quote, but think they been covered up since this thread started.

 

[hahnmeister]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9719403#post9719403 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by E-A-G-L-E-S
You can only go so big till you hit a point where it's uneccesary and not going to skim more....after it 'catches up' it will regularly skim less than the initial period and no more than a smaller yet big enough for the system would- imo
Hahn...if it really bothers you that much then just run it the 14-19 hrs from going to bed until relaxing back at home after work everyday?

Yeah... um... the the woman is around the house during the day depending on the day... and I dont sleep until late... so midnight until 8, maybe 10 oclock is the goal.

So you dont think oversizing the skimmer is the best approach for a shortened daily running time?

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

In this case then yes. As it will be catching up constantly since not running 24/7.
She is home everyday, all day?
I meant bedtime 10pm-2am until home from work 4pm-7pm.

 

[steve the plumb]

it wouldn't matter anyway.The skimmer will catch up By oversizing this will allow you to feed alot more if not overfeed.You would still be able to run the skimmer, less if you wanted to.Like all tanks if the skimate isn't there to pick up you won't get much.If its there it will pick it up.I would rather have the ability to overskim than not skim at all or underskim.Even if the skimmer neck is dirty you may not have to clean it as often.I know gcarrol doesn't run his skimmer 24/7.He runs it 18 hrs a day

 

[smackwater]

Took about 36hrs to build foam head. Been kicking out the crud ever since.

Been surprisingly easy to tune so far, compared to bekett anyway.

let it run for a few more days than start to tweak it some more

First NW, appreciate any pointers

 

[steve the plumb]

nice to see your getting some foam.Wait and see when the skimmer breaks in.Then you will be getting even more crude.How do you like the bubble size?How would you compare this skimmer to your old one.