Newbie needs help w/ skimmer operation

dankoos · 03/04/2010, 07:15 AM

Ok, so I finally get my skimmer that was on backorder...2010 model of Octopus 110. It comes w/ instructions on how to put it together, but says nothing on how to operate the darn thing. My sump compartment where the skimmer sits is about 15 inches deep...so I assume I am going to have to build a little platform for it to sit on. But how deep should it sit? In 15 inches of water, the whole thing fills up w/ water all the way to the collection cup. Also, there is a tube/pipe you can twist..one side says "open", one side says "closed". The end of this tube/pipe is cut at a 45 degree angle. Is this how you make water go up and down inside the skimmer?

Also, when it comes to building a little stand, I see a lot of people use that light diffuser stuff (eggcrate). Do you build the "walls" of the stand w/ that stuff too, or just the "floor"? If not for the walls, what do you use for the base of the stand?

Thanks!!

rdog · 03/04/2010, 07:42 AM

I'm kinda new to the whole saltwater game but have done alot of reading... From what i read the best water depth is 8 inches... And yes the platform and sides can be made up of the eggcrate... It works very well... Made one already and used wire ties to hold it all together... There are alot of more qualified people on here that will also help and give good suggestions... Hope this helped for now...

dankoos · 03/04/2010, 12:37 PM

Got the eggcrate. What is the best way to cut this stuff..wire snips? Small saw?

herozero · 03/04/2010, 01:07 PM

skimmer q&a thread is a great reference

sdc19982002 · 03/04/2010, 01:13 PM

You can cut it with wire snips (I do). Then I just use plastic zip ties to hols it together.

dankoos · 03/04/2010, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dankoos

Got the eggcrate. What is the best way to cut this stuff..wire snips? Small saw?

Saw that...but its huge!!

dankoos · 03/04/2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herozero

skimmer q&a thread is a great reference

Quoted the wrong post!

This is where I meant that thread is huge! (and hard to find an answer to specific question)

rdog · 03/04/2010, 03:15 PM

I used sheet metal snips and then broke anything else off by hand... Then just for the heck of it took a small pneumatic grinding wheel to smooth it down... Then took black Krylon Fusion(only paint that i read about so far that is fish safe) and painted it... White is ok but i just think black shows the corals colors off more...

dankoos · 03/04/2010, 03:17 PM

I emailed coralvue and they sent me real instructions on how to use the skimmer. They apologized and said they are working on instructions for all their model skimmers.

tmgrash · 04/03/2010, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdog

I'm kinda new to the whole saltwater game but have done alot of reading... From what i read the best water depth is 8 inches... And yes the platform and sides can be made up of the eggcrate... It works very well... Made one already and used wire ties to hold it all together... There are alot of more qualified people on here that will also help and give good suggestions... Hope this helped for now...

Wire ties are going to rust and you don't want that in your tank.

03/04/2010, 07:15 AM	#1
dankoos Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 271	Newbie needs help w/ skimmer operation Ok, so I finally get my skimmer that was on backorder...2010 model of Octopus 110. It comes w/ instructions on how to put it together, but says nothing on how to operate the darn thing. My sump compartment where the skimmer sits is about 15 inches deep...so I assume I am going to have to build a little platform for it to sit on. But how deep should it sit? In 15 inches of water, the whole thing fills up w/ water all the way to the collection cup. Also, there is a tube/pipe you can twist..one side says "open", one side says "closed". The end of this tube/pipe is cut at a 45 degree angle. Is this how you make water go up and down inside the skimmer? Also, when it comes to building a little stand, I see a lot of people use that light diffuser stuff (eggcrate). Do you build the "walls" of the stand w/ that stuff too, or just the "floor"? If not for the walls, what do you use for the base of the stand? Thanks!!

03/04/2010, 07:42 AM	#2
rdog Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: central wisconsin Posts: 68	I'm kinda new to the whole saltwater game but have done alot of reading... From what i read the best water depth is 8 inches... And yes the platform and sides can be made up of the eggcrate... It works very well... Made one already and used wire ties to hold it all together... There are alot of more qualified people on here that will also help and give good suggestions... Hope this helped for now...

03/04/2010, 12:37 PM	#3
dankoos Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 271	Got the eggcrate. What is the best way to cut this stuff..wire snips? Small saw?

03/04/2010, 01:07 PM	#4
herozero Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 717	skimmer q&a thread is a great reference

03/04/2010, 01:13 PM	#5
sdc19982002 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wills Point,Texas Posts: 925	You can cut it with wire snips (I do). Then I just use plastic zip ties to hols it together.

03/04/2010, 03:15 PM	#8
rdog Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: central wisconsin Posts: 68	I used sheet metal snips and then broke anything else off by hand... Then just for the heck of it took a small pneumatic grinding wheel to smooth it down... Then took black Krylon Fusion(only paint that i read about so far that is fish safe) and painted it... White is ok but i just think black shows the corals colors off more...

03/04/2010, 03:17 PM	#9
dankoos Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 271	I emailed coralvue and they sent me real instructions on how to use the skimmer. They apologized and said they are working on instructions for all their model skimmers.