Reef Octopus installation

blakeoe · 07/13/2006, 12:06 PM

I just recieved my octopus skimmer. The directions it came with are not very user friendly. It came with two small washers, i know one goes between the pump output and the elbow to the skimmer but where does the other one go? The diagram shows 2 washers but the other is bigger and is on the other side of the same elbow where the elbow meets the skimmer.
Also It has something wierd that i don't see a spot for and it's not on the diagram. It's nothing more than a piece of pipe with a cap on each end and a piece of air tube sticking out of each cap. What is this and where does it go?
The pump intake (when the airline attachment is installed) does not have a prefilter. Is this o.k. My sump will go: Bio Balls,Fuge, then skimmer. Should i worry about a prefilter or is it o.k w/o one?
THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP YOU GUYS!!

RichConley · 07/13/2006, 12:58 PM

that wierd piece is a silencer for the airline.

Between the pump and the skimmer, theres two places to fit washers: between the pump and the fitting that screws into it, and in the union.

I think a washer is supposed to go between the venturi and the volute, but I found mine restricted air draw, and wasnt helpful.

Any prefilter woudl restrict the pump which woudl make it less effective. Personally, I'd get rid of the bioballs, and put the skimmer before the fuge. Theres no reason to let stuff settle in your fuge when the skimmer could be taking it out first. Skimmer shoudl always come first, it'll take care of the particulate, and the fuge will take care of anythign dissolved.

I've pulled everythign from whole frozen mysis, to whole flake,etc from my skimmer cup. Contrary to some manufacturers claims, no half decent skimmer is plankton safe.

blakeoe · 07/13/2006, 02:06 PM

Sorry im a newbie and have no experience with skimmers.
Is the union the thing that attaches the skimmer to the elbow? then elbow to the pump? If so one washer went inbetween the pump and elbow and there was an existing O ring in the union.
Can you explain what venturi and volute are?
Also how does the silencer go? Do you just squeeze the airline over the smaller pipe at the top of the airline?
Sorry for all the questions and
Thank you for your help

07/13/2006, 12:06 PM	#1
blakeoe Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New Orleans Posts: 370	Reef Octopus installation I just recieved my octopus skimmer. The directions it came with are not very user friendly. It came with two small washers, i know one goes between the pump output and the elbow to the skimmer but where does the other one go? The diagram shows 2 washers but the other is bigger and is on the other side of the same elbow where the elbow meets the skimmer. Also It has something wierd that i don't see a spot for and it's not on the diagram. It's nothing more than a piece of pipe with a cap on each end and a piece of air tube sticking out of each cap. What is this and where does it go? The pump intake (when the airline attachment is installed) does not have a prefilter. Is this o.k. My sump will go: Bio Balls,Fuge, then skimmer. Should i worry about a prefilter or is it o.k w/o one? THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP YOU GUYS!! __________________ Somethings Fishy Around Here!! Current Tank Info: 72 gallon bow front

07/13/2006, 12:58 PM	#2
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	that wierd piece is a silencer for the airline. Between the pump and the skimmer, theres two places to fit washers: between the pump and the fitting that screws into it, and in the union. I think a washer is supposed to go between the venturi and the volute, but I found mine restricted air draw, and wasnt helpful. Any prefilter woudl restrict the pump which woudl make it less effective. Personally, I'd get rid of the bioballs, and put the skimmer before the fuge. Theres no reason to let stuff settle in your fuge when the skimmer could be taking it out first. Skimmer shoudl always come first, it'll take care of the particulate, and the fuge will take care of anythign dissolved. I've pulled everythign from whole frozen mysis, to whole flake,etc from my skimmer cup. Contrary to some manufacturers claims, no half decent skimmer is plankton safe. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

07/13/2006, 02:06 PM	#3
blakeoe Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New Orleans Posts: 370	Sorry im a newbie and have no experience with skimmers. Is the union the thing that attaches the skimmer to the elbow? then elbow to the pump? If so one washer went inbetween the pump and elbow and there was an existing O ring in the union. Can you explain what venturi and volute are? Also how does the silencer go? Do you just squeeze the airline over the smaller pipe at the top of the airline? Sorry for all the questions and Thank you for your help __________________ Somethings Fishy Around Here!! Current Tank Info: 72 gallon bow front