Reef Octopus BH-100F Set-Up

LuckiCharm325 · 09/01/2012, 05:56 PM

Hi, I am new to RC and also to saltwater aquariums. I was so close to finishing the cycling process and the person at the fish store said I had the wrong filter. So I bought the "right" filter, the Reef Octopus BH-100F-6520. I can't figure out how to set this thing up. I have most of it put together but the air hose is hooked up to the pump at the bottom, the pump is attached inside the unit. And the silencer and valve that I have are too small for the air hose they gave me. Does anyone know what I am doing wrong?

ken55 · 09/01/2012, 06:11 PM

I don't quite understand the "wrong filter" part. You are talking about a hang on back skimmer aren't you? I think the BH series by Reef Octo are all hang ons. I could be wrong.

The correct airhose, silencer and valve should have been in the box. What was their reason for telling you that you had the wrong one?

LuckiCharm325 · 09/01/2012, 06:18 PM

Originally I had the Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel filter and the Oceanic BioCube Protein Skimmer, but he said that was the wrong set-up that I needed the reef octopus.

ken55 · 09/01/2012, 06:20 PM

Is this the one you are asking about?

LuckiCharm325 · 09/01/2012, 06:24 PM

It is similar. I think I might have a newer version because the defoaming device is round and that clear tubing is attached at both ends to the bottom of the pump.

ken55 · 09/01/2012, 06:36 PM

Well, ok I now understand the "wrong filter" part. They were talking you out of the bio-wheel. Probably a good idea. Those type of filters are usually frowned upon in saltwater tanks.

Anyway, your question is about the Reef Octo you now have. You mention the clear tubing is attatched by both ends at the pump. Do you mean the airline tubing? If so, that is one problem. One end has to be exposed to the outside so it can draw air in. This is how it gets air to make the bubbles.

Are both ends of your airline below water level?

ken55 · 09/01/2012, 06:42 PM

Also not quite sure by what you mean by "defoaming" device. Skimmers are supposed to make foam.

LuckiCharm325 · 09/01/2012, 06:47 PM

Yes, this is what it looks like...

LuckiCharm325 · 09/01/2012, 06:48 PM

http://www.flickr.com/photos/luckich...n/photostream/

ken55 · 09/01/2012, 06:59 PM

Ok, ignore the photo I found. It's a different model.

Is the blue line your airline? I confess that I'm not really sure of the purpose of the white one.

You mentioned that the valve and silencer don't fit the line. Is it possible that you need to switch places with the blue and white lines?

Is it possible you could post a pic of the unit head on?

ken55 · 09/01/2012, 07:01 PM

Understand what you mean by "de-foaming" device now.

Don't worry, were are getting closer.

LuckiCharm325 · 09/01/2012, 07:07 PM

http://www.flickr.com/photos/luckich...n/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/luckich...n/photostream/

Are these helpful?

ken55 · 09/01/2012, 07:32 PM

Reef octopus bh-100f hob protein skimmer - YouTube

► 4:06► 4:06 www.youtube.com/watch?v=56qY9f-mogs
Feb 14, 2012 - 4 min - Uploaded by smaug1967
Just a short vid to help with those have got one with the new return

I don't know how to do links but this guy has the answers. The blue connects to one end of the white. The other white end goes to the pump. He also mentions the "old" directions being shipped with the "new" design models.

Sorry I couldn't be more help. At least we found the answers you needed.

LuckiCharm325 · 09/01/2012, 07:34 PM

Thank you so much!

ken55 · 09/01/2012, 07:48 PM

Hmmmm...

I have the Bh2000 which is very similar. (That's why I got involved in this thread in the first place) Mine is the older design with the "elbow". Mine, on occasion, does produce the microbubbles he mentioned. Not the end of the world but something that needs to be dealt with.

I'm thinking a few modifications may be the answer to my issue.

So... Thank You! We both got info tonight.

09/01/2012, 05:56 PM	#1
LuckiCharm325 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New York Posts: 7	Reef Octopus BH-100F Set-Up Hi, I am new to RC and also to saltwater aquariums. I was so close to finishing the cycling process and the person at the fish store said I had the wrong filter. So I bought the "right" filter, the Reef Octopus BH-100F-6520. I can't figure out how to set this thing up. I have most of it put together but the air hose is hooked up to the pump at the bottom, the pump is attached inside the unit. And the silencer and valve that I have are too small for the air hose they gave me. Does anyone know what I am doing wrong?

09/01/2012, 06:11 PM	#2
ken55 A wing and a prayer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoChes Posts: 635	I don't quite understand the "wrong filter" part. You are talking about a hang on back skimmer aren't you? I think the BH series by Reef Octo are all hang ons. I could be wrong. The correct airhose, silencer and valve should have been in the box. What was their reason for telling you that you had the wrong one?

09/01/2012, 06:18 PM	#3
LuckiCharm325 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New York Posts: 7	Originally I had the Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel filter and the Oceanic BioCube Protein Skimmer, but he said that was the wrong set-up that I needed the reef octopus.

09/01/2012, 06:20 PM	#4
ken55 A wing and a prayer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoChes Posts: 635	Is this the one you are asking about?

09/01/2012, 06:24 PM	#5
LuckiCharm325 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New York Posts: 7	It is similar. I think I might have a newer version because the defoaming device is round and that clear tubing is attached at both ends to the bottom of the pump.

09/01/2012, 06:36 PM	#6
ken55 A wing and a prayer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoChes Posts: 635	Well, ok I now understand the "wrong filter" part. They were talking you out of the bio-wheel. Probably a good idea. Those type of filters are usually frowned upon in saltwater tanks. Anyway, your question is about the Reef Octo you now have. You mention the clear tubing is attatched by both ends at the pump. Do you mean the airline tubing? If so, that is one problem. One end has to be exposed to the outside so it can draw air in. This is how it gets air to make the bubbles. Are both ends of your airline below water level?

09/01/2012, 06:42 PM	#7
ken55 A wing and a prayer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoChes Posts: 635	Also not quite sure by what you mean by "defoaming" device. Skimmers are supposed to make foam.

09/01/2012, 06:47 PM	#8
LuckiCharm325 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New York Posts: 7	Yes, this is what it looks like...

09/01/2012, 06:48 PM	#9
LuckiCharm325 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New York Posts: 7	http://www.flickr.com/photos/luckich...n/photostream/

09/01/2012, 06:59 PM	#10
ken55 A wing and a prayer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoChes Posts: 635	Ok, ignore the photo I found. It's a different model. Is the blue line your airline? I confess that I'm not really sure of the purpose of the white one. You mentioned that the valve and silencer don't fit the line. Is it possible that you need to switch places with the blue and white lines? Is it possible you could post a pic of the unit head on?

09/01/2012, 07:01 PM	#11
ken55 A wing and a prayer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoChes Posts: 635	Understand what you mean by "de-foaming" device now. Don't worry, were are getting closer.

09/01/2012, 07:07 PM	#12
LuckiCharm325 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New York Posts: 7	http://www.flickr.com/photos/luckich...n/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/luckich...n/photostream/ Are these helpful?

09/01/2012, 07:32 PM	#13
ken55 A wing and a prayer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoChes Posts: 635	Reef octopus bh-100f hob protein skimmer - YouTube ► 4:06► 4:06 www.youtube.com/watch?v=56qY9f-mogs Feb 14, 2012 - 4 min - Uploaded by smaug1967 Just a short vid to help with those have got one with the new return I don't know how to do links but this guy has the answers. The blue connects to one end of the white. The other white end goes to the pump. He also mentions the "old" directions being shipped with the "new" design models. Sorry I couldn't be more help. At least we found the answers you needed.

09/01/2012, 07:34 PM	#14
LuckiCharm325 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New York Posts: 7	Thank you so much!

09/01/2012, 07:48 PM	#15
ken55 A wing and a prayer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoChes Posts: 635	Hmmmm... I have the Bh2000 which is very similar. (That's why I got involved in this thread in the first place) Mine is the older design with the "elbow". Mine, on occasion, does produce the microbubbles he mentioned. Not the end of the world but something that needs to be dealt with. I'm thinking a few modifications may be the answer to my issue. So... Thank You! We both got info tonight.