Skimmer Question

wbdevers · 10/10/2010, 08:16 PM

Hey all. I just bought an Octopus HOB 100bh skimmer from another customer at my LFS (he upgraded to a sump and didn't need it). I've set it up, it's running and skimming, but two things, 1) it seems loud to me. I can hear it across the room (really no way to adjust that I see--but is this normal), 2) it's putting bubbles and microbubbles into the tank. The return doesn't fill up with water all the way so it sucks air. Is there a way to raise the water level much higher? The bubble break is only a small piece of course sponge btw.

Thanks for the help,

Wes

mcoomer · 10/10/2010, 08:56 PM

Are you hearing motor hum or air intake noise? If it's the intake make certain that you've got the black mufflers installed on the air lines. It won't be silent but it should be better. You should see a reduction in bubbles as the skimmer breaks in and you get it adjusted. Make sure that you're running the black foam sponge on the outlet.

Mike

wbdevers · 10/10/2010, 09:48 PM

Hey Mike. Yeah I've got the muffler installed. I guess I just assumed that it would be quiet. What I'm hearing is the "roar" of the bubbles in the reaction chamber I think plus there seems to be a vibration type noise. It only came with one sponge and that one is in the bottom of the return chamber. It sits on top of an acrylic plate that is covered in holes. I did see in the "instructions" that it showed something there on the outlet, but I wasn't sure if I was supposed to have it. The little valve that you use to prime it was missing as well.

Thanks,

Wes

mcoomer · 10/10/2010, 10:57 PM

Go to coralvue.com and let them know about the pieces that are missing. I was missing a sponge for the outlet on my skimmer and they sent me one right away. Get what you paid for. If you're hearing a vibration type noise it's almost certainly the pump as it's the only mechanical piece of the skimmer. My pump had rubber feet on it but I don't know about your BH 100. You might be able to tweak the pumps position if it's touching the sides of the skimmer.

Mike

wbdevers · 10/11/2010, 06:57 AM

Thanks again Mike. I will send them an email right away. Thanks for the advice.

Wes

10/10/2010, 08:16 PM	#1
wbdevers Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MS Gulf Coast Posts: 754	Skimmer Question Hey all. I just bought an Octopus HOB 100bh skimmer from another customer at my LFS (he upgraded to a sump and didn't need it). I've set it up, it's running and skimming, but two things, 1) it seems loud to me. I can hear it across the room (really no way to adjust that I see--but is this normal), 2) it's putting bubbles and microbubbles into the tank. The return doesn't fill up with water all the way so it sucks air. Is there a way to raise the water level much higher? The bubble break is only a small piece of course sponge btw. Thanks for the help, Wes

10/10/2010, 08:56 PM	#2
mcoomer Rat Bastard! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 1,487	Are you hearing motor hum or air intake noise? If it's the intake make certain that you've got the black mufflers installed on the air lines. It won't be silent but it should be better. You should see a reduction in bubbles as the skimmer breaks in and you get it adjusted. Make sure that you're running the black foam sponge on the outlet. Mike __________________ Spending exorbitant amounts of money on this hobby since 1998! My wife thought the tank would be cheaper and easier to keep than a dog...no seriously! Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef; Reeflo Barracuda, Tunze 6105 (X3), 250W Radiums with dual HQI Blue Wave 7, Reefkeeper Elite controller, custom sump with ASM G4, carbon and GFO reactors

10/10/2010, 10:57 PM	#4
mcoomer Rat Bastard! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 1,487	Go to coralvue.com and let them know about the pieces that are missing. I was missing a sponge for the outlet on my skimmer and they sent me one right away. Get what you paid for. If you're hearing a vibration type noise it's almost certainly the pump as it's the only mechanical piece of the skimmer. My pump had rubber feet on it but I don't know about your BH 100. You might be able to tweak the pumps position if it's touching the sides of the skimmer. Mike __________________ Spending exorbitant amounts of money on this hobby since 1998! My wife thought the tank would be cheaper and easier to keep than a dog...no seriously! Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef; Reeflo Barracuda, Tunze 6105 (X3), 250W Radiums with dual HQI Blue Wave 7, Reefkeeper Elite controller, custom sump with ASM G4, carbon and GFO reactors

10/11/2010, 06:57 AM	#5
wbdevers Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MS Gulf Coast Posts: 754	Thanks again Mike. I will send them an email right away. Thanks for the advice. Wes __________________ Wes Beatings will continue until morale improves!!! "I've sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it. I felt I owed it to them."--Judge Smails Current Tank Info: 125g ML dual corner OF mixed reef, Custom stand and canopy, 40g custom sump, lighting (in flux :( )

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10/10/2010, 09:48 PM	#3
wbdevers Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MS Gulf Coast Posts: 754	Hey Mike. Yeah I've got the muffler installed. I guess I just assumed that it would be quiet. What I'm hearing is the "roar" of the bubbles in the reaction chamber I think plus there seems to be a vibration type noise. It only came with one sponge and that one is in the bottom of the return chamber. It sits on top of an acrylic plate that is covered in holes. I did see in the "instructions" that it showed something there on the outlet, but I wasn't sure if I was supposed to have it. The little valve that you use to prime it was missing as well. Thanks, Wes