Octopus Skimmer Mods - Page 4

boxfishpooalot · 02/27/2007, 04:29 PM

Im weary about that idea. I actually want to make one new all together this way im not damaging the stock unit. I hate the fact that the measuements are in metric! That sux.

Well yea why cut off the airline cant we just make the hole bigger from inside the venturi? This would increase flow. Look at the hole in the first place its very tiny. I wonder.

hounddog01 · 02/27/2007, 05:26 PM

by drilling the venturi and adding the ro line your increasing the size by 50-75%

SeaView · 02/27/2007, 05:35 PM

Hey that notch was a good idea. I did something a little different. I widened the top hole where the nipple was to about the diam of RO tubing. Then I inserted a piece of solid plastic tubing (I modded this from the end of a papermate pen). I realized pushing it in far enough to stay secure, even if glued would restrict some air flow. So I notched the front of the solid tubing. Now even if inserted all the way, there is no restriction. Great idea.

I then slid a peice of flexible hose into the other end of the pplastic tube. With the water height all the way down as soon as I turned it on foam was at the top of the riser tube. Massive amounts of air now. Thanks for the tips.

impur · 02/27/2007, 06:07 PM

The problem with the venturi is the 90 elbow is makes inside that grey fitting. The hole is even smaller at that 90 giving the venturi a bottleneck. If you drill it out go all the way to the 90.

I tried this and didn't get any increase in performance.

Mr Bojangles · 02/28/2007, 07:06 PM

so before I do the mesh mod, I was wondering what is the best layout?

a layer of mesh in the front, and on in between the needle wheels

or

2 or 1 on the front needle wheel

DrBegalke · 03/01/2007, 01:09 AM

where do you get the mesh from?

curtisk · 03/01/2007, 09:47 AM

Quote:

where do you get the mesh from?

Yeah really. I've been waiting since early Jan. to get some enkamat from Marinesolutions. It took them 3 weeks to send my gate valve mod and promised me they would send some enkamat with my order. I got the gate valve and needlewheel about a month after I ordered it and I'm still waiting for the enkamat. So I guess I'll have to find another source. Any advice?

fighton03 · 03/01/2007, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by impur
I agree 100%.

impur,
Are you still running the same setup with the venturi mod as the picture you posted? Still a little confused on the "notching" referenced by hound dog. Yours looks straight forward enough. My skimmer is out of the sump. Have you successfully sealed the airline tube entry to the venturi?

tgunn · 03/01/2007, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by boxfishpooalot
Im weary about that idea. I actually want to make one new all together this way im not damaging the stock unit. I hate the fact that the measuements are in metric! That sux.

Well yea why cut off the airline cant we just make the hole bigger from inside the venturi? This would increase flow. Look at the hole in the first place its very tiny. I wonder.

I wonder if you could just try using a small air pump to push air into the venturi? Same way that users of the Dart Needlwheels "turbocharge" it with an external air pump...

I agree on the fittings though; it's annoying that everything is in metric. I would love to find a source for the metric fittings as I wouldn't mind making a new venturi myself (I too am not brave enough to mod my existing one).

Tyler

Kurt03 · 03/01/2007, 10:11 AM

would it work to drill straight down through the hard plastic airline on the venturi and shove rodi line in there, then have it stick out on the inside a tad? I just cant see being able to make that 90 degree turn with the rodi to get it closer to the pump input. Would soft airline work better since it can make the turn? OR does it put to much of a crease in it?
Does this make sense? lol

impur · 03/01/2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fighton03
impur,
Are you still running the same setup with the venturi mod as the picture you posted? Still a little confused on the "notching" referenced by hound dog. Yours looks straight forward enough. My skimmer is out of the sump. Have you successfully sealed the airline tube entry to the venturi?

I am still running it that same way and its rockin! I've got 3 times the skimmate i was getting before i bored it out. I run mine insump, so i did not seal the tubing. If i were to do that, i would cover the area in superglue, filling in any gaps. Then line the whole area with silicon to seal it up. Since the hole i drilled is barely larger than the airline tubing, its a real tight fit in there as it is. I had to get the tubing wet to slide it into the hole i drilled.

Kurt - i think which ever is easier for you would work fine. Drilling straight down would work just as well, i would make sure the tubing goes down into the fitting a bit, so its directly in the water stream being pulled into the pump.

Kurt03 · 03/01/2007, 11:16 AM

mines in sump so im assuming i wouldnt have to glue it, would let me tweak the depth alot easier!

hounddog01 · 03/01/2007, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kurt03
would it work to drill straight down through the hard plastic airline on the venturi and shove rodi line in there, then have it stick out on the inside a tad? I just cant see being able to make that 90 degree turn with the rodi to get it closer to the pump input. Would soft airline work better since it can make the turn? OR does it put to much of a crease in it?
Does this make sense? lol

That is why you notch the ro line. it lets air go both ways. I also took a slightly (and I mean slightly) larger drill bit to the 90 degree hole. Air will flow both ways.

Kurt03 · 03/01/2007, 12:08 PM

sounds like a plan, i might try this out today.
Also my mesh modded nw200 is sitting in about 13.5" of water, its currently drawing 15scfh or 7.08 l/min seems low to me so i was going to build a platform for it to sit on. What kind of air should i be expecting out of a mesh modded nw200? Ive bored the 90 elbow and the stock venturi some, next step is to bore it a ton more!

flasher1 · 03/01/2007, 12:39 PM

Sorry guys, but there is just too much info to read through everything. I recieved my Octopus NW150 today and would like to know if there are any mods that are considered necessary for optimal performance?

Kurt03 · 03/01/2007, 01:01 PM

you can start at the beginning of the thread
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1
Theres the boring of the venturi and replacing oring if you have one.
GateValve if you want to
Boring out the 90 elbow on the pump output.
port and polish of the pump housing

(thats what the do on motors anyways, same concept.)
Pics from roland

And of course the meshmod, it all just depends on how far you want to go.

hounddog01 · 03/01/2007, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kurt03
sounds like a plan, i might try this out today.
Also my mesh modded nw200 is sitting in about 13.5" of water, its currently drawing 15scfh or 7.08 l/min seems low to me so i was going to build a platform for it to sit on. What kind of air should i be expecting out of a mesh modded nw200? Ive bored the 90 elbow and the stock venturi some, next step is to bore it a ton more!

I would say 20 would be about right. Mine is running at 20 right now and I did not do any mod on the elbow. I am not sure if this will help pull more air since that is about the venturi and the suction that you get from it. The elbow mod should allow more flow into the skimmer with less turbulance.

Kurt03 · 03/01/2007, 01:38 PM

i was thinking it would help pull more air since it doesnt have to suck the air down through as deep of water?

luke33 · 03/01/2007, 02:47 PM

FWIW, here's a link to a small piece of mesh, so you don't have to buy 100yrds. 3.99 with 7.95 shipping ofcourse : )

http://www.bigalsonline.com/edealinv...6&ctl_nbr=3684

klasiksb · 03/01/2007, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by luke33
FWIW, here's a link to a small piece of mesh, so you don't have to buy 100yrds. 3.99 with 7.95 shipping ofcourse : )

http://www.bigalsonline.com/edealinv...6&ctl_nbr=3684

I swear, some of these places never heard of the USPS before.

DrBegalke · 03/01/2007, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by klasiksb
I swear, some of these places never heard of the USPS before.

Thanks for the link!

Big Al's is in Canada... don't think they have USPS postal stations there

Roland Jacques · 03/01/2007, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kurt03
sounds like a plan, i might try this out today.
Also my mesh modded nw200 is sitting in about 13.5" of water, its currently drawing 15scfh or 7.08 l/min seems low to me so i was going to build a platform for it to sit on. What kind of air should i be expecting out of a mesh modded nw200? Ive bored the 90 elbow and the stock venturi some, next step is to bore it a ton more!

Give it 48 hour to settle in. durring that time wacth your skimmer closely. it may pick up when your not looking and overflow your cup. is agust it on the dry side for that first 48 hours.

20 scfh is good IMO 24scfh is about max for the skimmer's neck size.

impur · 03/01/2007, 04:53 PM

Nice find luke33!!

I need to get a airflow meter...

Roland Jacques · 03/01/2007, 05:13 PM

I just noticed somthing on the new OTP 3000 Octopus skimmer pumps. The NW/impeller is smaller dia. about .5" than the older ones.

I guess some comparing is in order.

Kurt03 · 03/01/2007, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roland Jacques

Give it 48 hour to settle in. durring that time wacth your skimmer closely. it may pick up when your not looking and overflow your cup. is agust it on the dry side for that first 48 hours.

20 scfh is good IMO 24scfh is about max for the skimmer's neck size.

Before changing my height i have had the mesh running for several weeks. Max ive gotten was around 15scfh. do you think the depth it was at was causing any loss in air draw?

02/27/2007, 04:29 PM	#76
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	Im weary about that idea. I actually want to make one new all together this way im not damaging the stock unit. I hate the fact that the measuements are in metric! That sux. Well yea why cut off the airline cant we just make the hole bigger from inside the venturi? This would increase flow. Look at the hole in the first place its very tiny. I wonder. __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.

02/27/2007, 05:26 PM	#77
hounddog01 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Bloomington, IL Posts: 1,045	by drilling the venturi and adding the ro line your increasing the size by 50-75% __________________ Brad "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." - Socrates Current Tank Info: 180 gallon Acrylic, 65 gallon custom sump, Octopus Extreme 250, 150 LBS Marco Rock, 2-250 W Phoenix with 4 110 VHO supplement

02/27/2007, 06:07 PM	#79
impur Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 4,262	The problem with the venturi is the 90 elbow is makes inside that grey fitting. The hole is even smaller at that 90 giving the venturi a bottleneck. If you drill it out go all the way to the 90. I tried this and didn't get any increase in performance. __________________ Great spirits often encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds. Current Tank Info: 75gal, 20gal sump, 6-54w T5 TEK

03/01/2007, 01:09 AM	#81
DrBegalke Go Buckeyes! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Phoenix area, AZ Posts: 2,599	where do you get the mesh from? __________________ ~Jason Begalke Current Tank Info: Latest project: JBJ Cubey

03/01/2007, 12:39 PM	#90
flasher1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 651	Sorry guys, but there is just too much info to read through everything. I recieved my Octopus NW150 today and would like to know if there are any mods that are considered necessary for optimal performance? __________________ My girlfriend lit the kitchen on fire making a salad!!! Good...now you are just as confused as I am. Current Tank Info: Been out of the game for a while and a lot has changed. Doing my due diligence before I jump in the deep end

02/27/2007, 05:35 PM	#78
SeaView Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: LI/NY Posts: 586	Hey that notch was a good idea. I did something a little different. I widened the top hole where the nipple was to about the diam of RO tubing. Then I inserted a piece of solid plastic tubing (I modded this from the end of a papermate pen). I realized pushing it in far enough to stay secure, even if glued would restrict some air flow. So I notched the front of the solid tubing. Now even if inserted all the way, there is no restriction. Great idea. I then slid a peice of flexible hose into the other end of the pplastic tube. With the water height all the way down as soon as I turned it on foam was at the top of the riser tube. Massive amounts of air now. Thanks for the tips.

02/28/2007, 07:06 PM	#80
Mr Bojangles Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Brevard county, Fl Posts: 914	so before I do the mesh mod, I was wondering what is the best layout? a layer of mesh in the front, and on in between the needle wheels or 2 or 1 on the front needle wheel

03/01/2007, 10:11 AM	#85
Kurt03 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,602	would it work to drill straight down through the hard plastic airline on the venturi and shove rodi line in there, then have it stick out on the inside a tad? I just cant see being able to make that 90 degree turn with the rodi to get it closer to the pump input. Would soft airline work better since it can make the turn? OR does it put to much of a crease in it? Does this make sense? lol

03/01/2007, 11:16 AM	#87
Kurt03 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,602	mines in sump so im assuming i wouldnt have to glue it, would let me tweak the depth alot easier!

03/01/2007, 12:08 PM	#89
Kurt03 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,602	sounds like a plan, i might try this out today. Also my mesh modded nw200 is sitting in about 13.5" of water, its currently drawing 15scfh or 7.08 l/min seems low to me so i was going to build a platform for it to sit on. What kind of air should i be expecting out of a mesh modded nw200? Ive bored the 90 elbow and the stock venturi some, next step is to bore it a ton more!

03/01/2007, 01:01 PM	#91
Kurt03 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,602	you can start at the beginning of the thread http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1 Theres the boring of the venturi and replacing oring if you have one. GateValve if you want to Boring out the 90 elbow on the pump output. port and polish of the pump housing (thats what the do on motors anyways, same concept.) Pics from roland And of course the meshmod, it all just depends on how far you want to go.

03/01/2007, 01:38 PM	#93
Kurt03 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,602	i was thinking it would help pull more air since it doesnt have to suck the air down through as deep of water?

03/01/2007, 02:47 PM	#94
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	FWIW, here's a link to a small piece of mesh, so you don't have to buy 100yrds. 3.99 with 7.95 shipping ofcourse : ) http://www.bigalsonline.com/edealinv...6&ctl_nbr=3684

03/01/2007, 04:53 PM	#98
impur Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 4,262	Nice find luke33!! I need to get a airflow meter... __________________ Great spirits often encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds. Current Tank Info: 75gal, 20gal sump, 6-54w T5 TEK

03/01/2007, 05:13 PM	#99
Roland Jacques Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 2,848	I just noticed somthing on the new OTP 3000 Octopus skimmer pumps. The NW/impeller is smaller dia. about .5" than the older ones. I guess some comparing is in order. __________________ Roland