Octopus Skimmer Mods

[davidabrown66]

Ok, I'll try that again:

I don't think rolands mod was intended for recirc models b/c on the recirc models the stock venturi has two sets of threads. That's why I'm extremely interested in how you did it on yours.

[outy]

which air flow meter are most of you using the 2" or 5" ??

[davidabrown66]

Originally posted by outy
which air flow meter are most of you using the 2" or 5" ??

2" RMA-7 Here: http://www.dwyer-inst.com/htdocs/flow/SeriesRMPrice.cfm

[outy]

yep thats the one i was thinking or the 5" but if the 2" gets the job done theres no need for spending extra cash

ill get pics of my venturi mod tonight when i get off work. basicaly i used the JG 1/4" fitting for RO tubing and drilled it and installed the JG i kept the 90 dgree bend in the venturi i just reamed everything out to the id of the plastic tubing

[davidabrown66]

Originally posted by outy
yep thats the one i was thinking or the 5" but if the 2" gets the job done theres no need for spending extra cash

ill get pics of my venturi mod tonight when i get off work. basicaly i used the JG 1/4" fitting for RO tubing and drilled it and installed the JG i kept the 90 dgree bend in the venturi i just reamed everything out to the id of the plastic tubing

Ah, Ok I wasn't sure if you'd gone to a 1" coupler or not

[davidabrown66]

Originally posted by Bunkerbean
I got to thinking a little more about my mesh mod. Since I have the 2000 pump, my needlewheel came with only 2 rows. I wonder if I should clip off the first one and double mesh the last one. Not sure if that would be beneficial or not.

It's what I did, and used three rows initally, then four, but four layers started to raise my wattage to 70

[RobSW1]

i figured id ask here since you guys are the resident experts, and i know you guys run these skimmer.

I cant find the footprint dimensions for the
NW-150
NW-200

Could you guys please help me out?

Thanks in advance
Rob

[outy]

theres no use going to a 1"coupler with the 1/2" id venturi inlet.

the venturi only needs a little modding on these pumps its the output that needs all the help.

if i dont like the results of my modding ill replumb the output to 3/4" or 1" and put standard unions on the skimmer and ditch the T,s inside and go to 2 45,s

[outy]

rob premium aquatics should have the footprint

[davidabrown66]

Originally posted by outy
theres no use going to a 1"coupler with the 1/2" id venturi inlet.

the venturi only needs a little modding on these pumps its the output that needs all the help.

if i dont like the results of my modding ill replumb the output to 3/4" or 1" and put standard unions on the skimmer and ditch the T,s inside and go to 2 45,s

I reamed out the output ot he pump 90 to 5/8", and I'd like to go 1" on the output but not brave enough to try and hole saw out the metric unions. Is that what you were thinking if you were to change out the unions? The Tee you are referring to is that the output tee inside the chamber? I see ER's have a 45 which I like better than the restrictive tee.

[RobSW1]

outy, i checked at Premium Aquatics but did not see a listed footprint.......anyone know for sure?

thanks
rob

also i have done a little more reading and think i am going to get the NW-200 if it fits into my sump space. The skimmer is for a 29gallon SPS w/a 20L sump with 2 fish. I understand it will be more than nessecary but if i upgrade to a 75 i wont have to worry about a skimmer. I read somewhere that these skimmers pull alot less air thon others , so what can be done to change this?

[davidabrown66]

Originally posted by RobSW1
outy, i checked at Premium Aquatics but did not see a listed footprint.......anyone know for sure?

Aquacave has this in their site for the NW200:

Dimmensions:

- Overall Height: 24"
- Cup Removal Clearance: 0.75"
- Reactor Diameter: 8"
- Footprint: 13.25" x 11.5"
- Needle Wheel Pump included (approx. 790 gph)


thanks
rob

also i have done a little more reading and think i am going to get the NW-200 if it fits into my sump space. The skimmer is for a 29gallon SPS w/a 20L sump with 2 fish. I understand it will be more than nessecary but if i upgrade to a 75 i wont have to worry about a skimmer. I read somewhere that these skimmers pull alot less air thon others , so what can be done to change this?

[squin]

Originally posted by medic29
I have casted a few more venturis and have played with them some. I even casted one where I can drill out the inside of the venturi to the diameter I want. I'm not sure if I want it larger than the stock venturi or smaller. I was thinking smaller, which would increase the velocity of the water being pulled through and thus should increase the venturi (suction) action and thus pull more air; but, I'm sure this theory will work. I guess I could try it and check the results, then cast another one and drill it larger and check the results.

Any thoughts??

medic29,

Try smaller. You can always drill it larger. I got better results by slightly reducing the venturi waterway and enlarging the stock airway to 11/64". Air flow stayed about the same at 26 SCFH, but the wattage dropped vs. the stock diameter waterway. This tells me I'm probably pulling as much air as the airway will allow. Turbulence also went down inside the water column which I think is a good thing.

Please share how you "cast" venturis. Sounds like fun!

[medic29]

I picked up a poly/plastic molding/casting kit from the local Hobby Lobby. I can't remember the name of the stuff, but you can make medical grade equipment out of it as well. A lot of hobbiest use it to cast various things like model soldiers, etc. Making the mold is a little bit of a pain. Not hard, just tedious. Then casting the item is fast and easy. Takes less than 5 minutes and it's done and can be drilled, etc.

Pretty cool stuff actually.

[outy]

RobSW1

allot can be done. i like playing with things tinkering and modding. thats why i got this skimmer over the ATI bm200.

for the money if you like modding these skimmers are hard to beat.

[coryjac0b]

Well the pump that came with this skimmer went out, i've taken it apart done everything i can to try and get it to work again, and it won't. its the OTP 3000, which im guessing is the same as the Oceanrunner 3700, should i replace it with same pump, or is there a better pump to use?

[nebraskareef]

I thought the OTP-3000 was the clone of the 6500, I may be wrong though.

[BLockamon]

OPT-3000 is a clone of the Ocean Runner 3500. You can use the 3500 for a direct replacement.

Note: You can NOT use the OR3700 unless you modify the outlet plumbing. The 3700 is modified vs. the 3500 to include a 1" outlet.

[Tony44]

I just got the NW recirculating 150, what easy, and effective mods should I do?

How is the mesh mod done?

[tonyf]

Originally posted by davidabrown66
Mine has been just the opposite. The DNW-200 sucks (not in a good way) right out of the box without mods (6-7 SCFH), and it just sat there like a giant tube of water with a fizzy stone attached until I did enough of the mods to get at least 15 SCFH. I've had it for a couple of months now, and I've only recently started to get daily 1/4 cup of medium colored green tea.

My old DNW-200 sucked big time in a good way and drew a cup of black sh8t per day from the start. Now have FDNW-400 and it is just as good

Tone

[-MillerTime-]

anyone know the sizes of pvc and where to get the parts for the gate valve mod for a NW-150.

[davidabrown66]

Besides Squin, is anyone else getting more than 20 SCFH on a recirc after doing all the mods?

I was getting closer to 25-28 SCFH, but I think switching to 4 layers of enkamat and modding my original venturi is what's keeping me at 20 SCFH. It's still pulling out a forest green looking skimmate with only 3 fish so not too unhappy. I'm checking into buying metric pvc from spears, but not sure what sizes I need yet, and have a call into Coralvue to see what the dimensions are for the plumbed unions and pump fittings.

I'd like to change the pump output to 1" and get rid of the tee inside the cylinder and change it out to a 45, but not that brave yet.

Thanks Squin for the website and casting ideas, let me know how that works out, and what type of resin you used.

[spongebobby]

Where can replacement part's, mainly needle wheels for the OTP3000 pump, be purchased at online?

Thanks

[192clark]

custom aquatic

[squin]

Originally posted by davidabrown66
Besides Squin, is anyone else getting more than 20 SCFH on a recirc after doing all the mods?

I was getting closer to 25-28 SCFH, but I think switching to 4 layers of enkamat and modding my original venturi is what's keeping me at 20 SCFH. It's still pulling out a forest green looking skimmate with only 3 fish so not too unhappy. I'm checking into buying metric pvc from spears, but not sure what sizes I need yet, and have a call into Coralvue to see what the dimensions are for the plumbed unions and pump fittings.

I'd like to change the pump output to 1" and get rid of the tee inside the cylinder and change it out to a 45, but not that brave yet.

Thanks Squin for the website and casting ideas, let me know how that works out, and what type of resin you used.

I received my backup OTP-3000 today, and guess what? With the new pump motor running my modded venturi, discharge elbow, and mesh neddle wheel the best I can get is 20 SCFH @ 65 Watts. Sound familiar. I cannot explain the difference, but my original pump motor performs differently than the replacement. I can only assume that the new pumps have been detuned to provide better reliabilty and meet the rated wattage.

Needless to say I've put the original pump back on.