Reef octopus skimmer help

[ErosJN]

I picked up a reef octopus today. Not sure the model but it stands 2 feet tall and collection cup is 10 inches in diameter.. its a pretty big skimmer. Im not understanding how to adjust water level inside skimmer. I placed a pvc pipe with a ball valve to adjust water level but it doesnt matter if i have the valve completely opened or closed, the skimmer overflows within seconds and the collection cup is filled immediately. It came with a bubble blaster 5000 pump. My previous skimmers were fine tuned directly from the pump so I'm lost here and without instructions, this has become quite a headache today. Any suggestions?

 

[rfalvey89]

Hmmm.
I love talkin' Reef Octo. Best skimmer out there IMO
is it the REGAL 10" or perhaps the SRO 5000 INT.

Any pics? I would say start at 7-8" water depth and gauge from there...but we certainly need to keep the skimmer in perspective.

 

[ErosJN]

Im having issues posting pics at the moment. If you pm me your number i can send photos. Something is telling me it has to do with the intake. If i put my hand over the pump hole it dies down significantly.

 

[rfalvey89]

ahhh
mine did the same. Impeller is jacked.or something in the pump. I talked to coralvue and bought a replacement pump

 

[ErosJN]

Thanks. I've been doing some research and found a few people who had overflow issues due to water level in sump aswell.

 

[ErosJN]

 

[rogergolf66]

In the pictures I don't see how u r adjusting the water level in the skimmer?

I also would remove those metal clamps from the skimmer. Find a different way to connect it with a pvc fitting.

I would put a t in on that pipe and have a gate valve not a ball valve to adjust the outlet of water. I can try and get a pic of how I have done my skimmers to help u understand

 

[rogergolf66]

Example for u

 

[rogergolf66]

My other slightly larger example built a little different in valve placement.



A ball valve will not work. U won't be able to make small enough adjustments.

The euro reef u have pictured above has an adjustable pipe that slides up and down. But the gate valve is much more accurate

 

[ErosJN]

Thank you. As of right now, I removed the pvc piping on the water return side and brought my sump water level down to 8 inches and the skimmers been working good for the last few hours. Ill try to make my way to getting a gate valve at some point today.

 

[rogergolf66]

Only place local I know of to get gate valves is the ace hardware in Dunedin on 580

 

[rogergolf66]

Also if u want all the pvc to match for looks schedule 80 pipe is the same color and will match the elbow attached to the skimmer already. Then what ever u do will look more factory. If u need any other help let me know. I would copy my first picture if it was my skimmer

 

[nitrodude]

My other slightly larger example built a little different in valve placement.



A ball valve will not work. U won't be able to make small enough adjustments.

The euro reef u have pictured above has an adjustable pipe that slides up and down. But the gate valve is much more accurate

What skimmer is that?! I like it!

 

[rogergolf66]

What skimmer is that?! I like it!

Deltec ap902 if I recall correctly. Best skimmer I have ever owned!!! Hands down

 

[Daimyo68]

Check your local Grainger for the Gate Valve.

 

[ClownMan727]

Hey Roger how many gallons do you think your skimmer holds.? And 4 pumps right? What is the flow rete on pumps? That should give some scale for how big it is.

 

[JonezNReef]

Reef octopus skimmer help

I have almost the same skimmer. Looks like your outlet is modified though. I'm not sure how you are adjusting the water level in your skimmer. This is mine

 

[ErosJN]

Thank you guys for all the info. I took off the PVC pipes completely and because my sump is chamberless, I adjusted the water level to about 9-10 inches so even without a valve I've been getting phenomenal skimmate! I can't believe how much gunk this thing pulls out on a daily basis! Very happy with this purchase.

 

[rogergolf66]

Hey Roger how many gallons do you think your skimmer holds.? And 4 pumps right? What is the flow rete on pumps? That should give some scale for how big it is.

It's about up to my ribs if I stand next to it. Galls I would guess it would fit between 15-20 gallons it's a 10 inch chamber. It has a feed pump and 2 large recirculating pumps. I think that's a 4 cup measuring cup in the pic on the tank and the skimmer goes down about a foot or so below what u can see. I wish I could find one more of these I would buy it in a flash

 

[rogergolf66]

Thank you guys for all the info. I took off the PVC pipes completely and because my sump is chamberless, I adjusted the water level to about 9-10 inches so even without a valve I've been getting phenomenal skimmate! I can't believe how much gunk this thing pulls out on a daily basis! Very happy with this purchase.

Glad u got it working will but trust me u will be very happy if u add a gate valve