Octopus Skimmer Mods - Page 31

davidabrown66 · 06/19/2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ppurcell
no problem.

I don't have a before and after pic, but here is what I am currently getting when using the diffuser. Note the the bubbles are very small and very evenly flowing out over the cone. There was much more turbulance before I installed the diffuser.

and skimmate:

Does the diffuser plate sit just above the skimmer output? How did you secure the mesh once you cut it? I'm using a recirc Octopus, and the neck is just large enough to fit my hand in, but I'd have to have something bendable in order to fit it in the neck, and then open up to the roughly 8" diameter body, and be secure enough. The mesh seemed kind of flimsy...did you use this material from the link?

ppurcell · 06/19/2007, 04:37 PM

Good questions. Actually I took a few medium size wireties to make a ring about the size of the diffuser and then used the really small wireties to attach it to make the diffuser a little more rigid. I then used a few pieces of foam (I think a single long piece all the way around would be better) to make it snug and installed it just above the inlet about 1/2 in the body. It might be better to put it a little higher and open some of the holes a bit as I think even with the massive number of holes it creates some backpressure.

All in all, if someone could come up with a mounting solution to make the outside ring seal better and make it a bit more rigid I think the diffuser would work better.

davidabrown66 · 06/19/2007, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ppurcell
Good questions. Actually I took a few medium size wireties to make a ring about the size of the diffuser and then used the really small wireties to attach it to make the diffuser a little more rigid. I then used a few pieces of foam (I think a single long piece all the way around would be better) to make it snug and installed it just above the inlet about 1/2 in the body. It might be better to put it a little higher and open some of the holes a bit as I think even with the massive number of holes it creates some backpressure.

All in all, if someone could come up with a mounting solution to make the outside ring seal better and make it a bit more rigid I think the diffuser would work better.

Ok, I think I got a visual. You used a few wire ties to make one large ring, and then attached the mesh using smaller wire ties, and I suppose fishing line might work also. Anyway, the foam is then placed inside the skimmer just above the pump input plumbing (if not a little higher), and in my case would be the small feed line I have which only pushes about 1 1/2 times the tank volume per hr as with all recirc skimmers, but I don't think that will matter.

How do you keep the mesh ring from floating upwards towards the neck? Do you insert the wire ties through the foam when you're securing the mesh to the outer ring?

ppurcell · 06/19/2007, 05:10 PM

the foam/sponge is straddles the outside edge of the ring so some of it is pinched above and below the diffuser ring. This creates a friction fit that holds it in place. If you use wireties or fishing line to secure the sponge to the ring that would make it easier to install and adjust.

If you go buy 1/2" or 3/4" hdpe weather stripping you could use that around the outside edge instead of foam or sponge.

skwirl · 06/19/2007, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by davidabrown66
Did you get a performance gain from doing this? I know that seems like a stupid ?, but it seams like reaming out the stock nipple to the ID of ro/di tubing (1/8") and then drilling the other half of the airway to the same 1/8" would have the same effect without having to drill out the nipple and replace with JG fitting...? I've done it both ways, and my results were still 20 SCFH either way.

I continue to play with the stock venturi's and OTP-3000 just to torture myself. I keep thinking maybe I just didn't do it right...even after testing and modding 3 different stock venturi's I wonder If I didn't do the right combination of venturi mods.

I keep hoping for that AH HA! moment, but no...Oh well.

The good news is I should have good #'s to report on Thurs or Fri from the Gen-x 4100 with Euroreef SP4 mod.

i have 2 of the octo water pumps, not the needlewheel, so i have no nw impeller, or venturi. thats why i needed to get one. i made one out of pve pipe fittings, buti dont have an air meter, and also i dont know how good it is, but my pump is doing pretty good. i know it can be better though. i never could find people who completely made thier own venturi, just people who modded their stock venturi.
does anyone have diy venturis on thier pumps, and what are the results/ how dod you do them? i want to see if mine should be another way. i have my pump on a euroreef cs8-2 body, and its doing well, but its not like the pics i have seen throughout this post.

cato · 06/19/2007, 10:22 PM

Alright, I've had enough! I've been screwin with this thing all night and it still leaks like a sieve. I tore it down to mesh mod it and drill out the venturi a tad. No probs with that but when I reassembled it and turned it on...the damn dam burst. For some reason it is leaking at the housing o-ring seal. I never even touched this part except to clean it. It is an OTP 3000 pump for a DNW-200. Anyone else have this happen to them? Any ideas how to seal it so it won't leak. My system is currently running skimmerless till this is resolved so all ideas are welcome. Thanks.

JCTewks · 06/19/2007, 10:39 PM

I had the smae prob with mine. it has something to dp with the volute cover not going all the way down....the ceramic shaft is not quite cenered and is keeping the cover from seeting properly. to resolve that, I just popout the little rubber boot that the shaft sits in(right in the middle of the inlet on the cover), and put it on the shaft before i put the volute cover back on. then give the volute cover a little twist as your putting it back on. it will seat properly and your leak should be gone. The only other explanation would be that you nicked the o-ring. if my first suggestion doesn't work, check the o-ring and replace if you have to. Please post if it worked or not.

outy · 06/19/2007, 11:17 PM

ive heard of this before.

take off the o-ring and put a little teflon tape in the o-ring groove then reinstall the o-ring and volute cover

cato · 06/20/2007, 05:37 AM

OK, thanks guys. I will try these and see how it goes and let you know. Likely won't have a chance to do it till later today.

Which Ocean Runner pump is identical to these OTP 3000's?

skwirl · 06/20/2007, 05:43 AM

i think the 3700

Bunkerbean · 06/20/2007, 11:28 AM

Apparently I am to new and don't have enough posts to put an add in the classifides.

I have the Air flow meter I want to sell. Could someone maybe post it for me. Or you can PM me if you would like it.

davidabrown66 · 06/20/2007, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bunkerbean
Apparently I am to new and don't have enough posts to put an add in the classifides.

I have the Air flow meter I want to sell. Could someone maybe post it for me. Or you can PM me if you would like it.

Wow, you just got it! What were your readings? You must be satisfied with your mods...?

I don't have a pic either, and I don't have that many more posts than you so I probably can't post it either.

I'm sure someone will be wanting one soon.

Bunkerbean · 06/20/2007, 11:50 AM

I just didn't want to go find all the fittings I need to make it work for my setup.

It said 60 days or 90 posts.

I was going to ask 25 bucks shipped for it.

davidabrown66 · 06/20/2007, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bunkerbean
I just didn't want to go find all the fittings I need to make it work for my setup.

It said 60 days or 90 posts.

I was going to ask 25 bucks shipped for it.

Can you just return it to Dwyer? Or, call them to see if they have the right fittings for you, if you plan on doing more mods that is you'll probably want to keep it.

How many days until you hit 60? It looks like you'll hit this month.

Bunkerbean · 06/20/2007, 12:46 PM

No I am done with mods on this skimmer.

Yeah sometime.

cato · 06/21/2007, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by outy
ive heard of this before.

take off the o-ring and put a little teflon tape in the o-ring groove then reinstall the o-ring and volute cover

If the volute cover o-ring needs replacing, is this something I can pick up at my local Lowes?

impur · 06/21/2007, 09:39 AM

Probably. Just take it with you and match it up with what they have.

cato · 06/21/2007, 09:54 AM

OK, will do.

davidabrown66 · 06/21/2007, 10:05 AM

Received my new Gen-x 4100 last night, and only had time to test the SCFH with the Euroreef NW, volute and venturi. I measured 18 SCFH after doing that which seems a little lower than expected, but then again I have to add mesh still. Which leads me to the next question. How do I mesh the ER needle wheel? I've done the OTP many times, and this one is completely different. Do I cut all the pins off or most? Do I drill into the disk that the pins connect to in order to secure with wire ties?

Anyone have a link?

outy · 06/21/2007, 08:03 PM

i did it, i cut all the needles off, hand filed them down after using a dremel. then drilled holes for zipties. kinda like you described lol

carlos_fb · 06/22/2007, 11:29 PM

I'm about to throw the towel with my NW-150. I did the gate valve mod and I still can't get it to work properly. Either it won't skim or it will overflow with any minimum adjustment.

Please check out the picture to see if you can pin point the problem. When I used it with the riser pipe, it worked perfectly but it was too noisy.

humbugy · 06/22/2007, 11:58 PM

have you tried lowering the sump level??

ppurcell · 06/23/2007, 06:48 AM

I see three possible problems.

1. the output from the skimmer is under water which creates some backpressure. You should have the output above water and find someway to deal with bubbles created by that. (put the output into that filter sock maybe)

2. gatevalves and a fluctuating water level in the sump do not go together. if your water level fluctuates because of evaporation, ATO, or any other reason you should use an adjustable standpipe instead. I've used a couple of skimmers with gatevalves and I have never been able to get them to not misbehave from time to time.

3. the gatevalve is too high on the riser pipe. I think if you move it lower using a T right off of the end of the grey pipe then you may have better control, but my opinion about #2 above still stands.

Mr Bojangles · 06/23/2007, 07:57 AM

I would lower it in the sump and you will need to get the return out of the water. Look at my pic and you can see that I sliced it, it will let the water flow down without splashing every where

carlos_fb · 06/23/2007, 02:55 PM

I did what you guys suggested. However the water level in the area where I have the skimmer fluctuates with my Osmolator so I guess I won't be able to get it right with my current setup.

Is there any other alternative to the gate valve? can you do something like a "u" for the adjustable standpipe so that it does not make that much noise?

06/19/2007, 10:22 PM	#756
cato New England Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CT Posts: 5,450	Alright, I've had enough! I've been screwin with this thing all night and it still leaks like a sieve. I tore it down to mesh mod it and drill out the venturi a tad. No probs with that but when I reassembled it and turned it on...the damn dam burst. For some reason it is leaking at the housing o-ring seal. I never even touched this part except to clean it. It is an OTP 3000 pump for a DNW-200. Anyone else have this happen to them? Any ideas how to seal it so it won't leak. My system is currently running skimmerless till this is resolved so all ideas are welcome. Thanks. __________________ -Cato I swear it's an illness... Current Tank Info: On Hiatus

06/20/2007, 05:37 AM	#759
cato New England Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CT Posts: 5,450	OK, thanks guys. I will try these and see how it goes and let you know. Likely won't have a chance to do it till later today. Which Ocean Runner pump is identical to these OTP 3000's? __________________ -Cato I swear it's an illness... Current Tank Info: On Hiatus

06/21/2007, 09:39 AM	#767
impur Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 4,262	Probably. Just take it with you and match it up with what they have. __________________ Great spirits often encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds. Current Tank Info: 75gal, 20gal sump, 6-54w T5 TEK

06/21/2007, 09:54 AM	#768
cato New England Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CT Posts: 5,450	OK, will do. __________________ -Cato I swear it's an illness... Current Tank Info: On Hiatus

06/19/2007, 04:37 PM	#752
ppurcell Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 2,911	Good questions. Actually I took a few medium size wireties to make a ring about the size of the diffuser and then used the really small wireties to attach it to make the diffuser a little more rigid. I then used a few pieces of foam (I think a single long piece all the way around would be better) to make it snug and installed it just above the inlet about 1/2 in the body. It might be better to put it a little higher and open some of the holes a bit as I think even with the massive number of holes it creates some backpressure. All in all, if someone could come up with a mounting solution to make the outside ring seal better and make it a bit more rigid I think the diffuser would work better.

06/19/2007, 05:10 PM	#754
ppurcell Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 2,911	the foam/sponge is straddles the outside edge of the ring so some of it is pinched above and below the diffuser ring. This creates a friction fit that holds it in place. If you use wireties or fishing line to secure the sponge to the ring that would make it easier to install and adjust. If you go buy 1/2" or 3/4" hdpe weather stripping you could use that around the outside edge instead of foam or sponge.

06/19/2007, 10:39 PM	#757
JCTewks Moved On Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wilmington, Ohio Posts: 3,040	I had the smae prob with mine. it has something to dp with the volute cover not going all the way down....the ceramic shaft is not quite cenered and is keeping the cover from seeting properly. to resolve that, I just popout the little rubber boot that the shaft sits in(right in the middle of the inlet on the cover), and put it on the shaft before i put the volute cover back on. then give the volute cover a little twist as your putting it back on. it will seat properly and your leak should be gone. The only other explanation would be that you nicked the o-ring. if my first suggestion doesn't work, check the o-ring and replace if you have to. Please post if it worked or not.

06/19/2007, 11:17 PM	#758
outy Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: auburn CA Posts: 4,021	ive heard of this before. take off the o-ring and put a little teflon tape in the o-ring groove then reinstall the o-ring and volute cover

06/20/2007, 05:43 AM	#760
skwirl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: tn Posts: 872	i think the 3700

06/20/2007, 11:28 AM	#761
Bunkerbean Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: McDonough, GA Posts: 298	Apparently I am to new and don't have enough posts to put an add in the classifides. I have the Air flow meter I want to sell. Could someone maybe post it for me. Or you can PM me if you would like it.

06/20/2007, 11:50 AM	#763
Bunkerbean Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: McDonough, GA Posts: 298	I just didn't want to go find all the fittings I need to make it work for my setup. It said 60 days or 90 posts. I was going to ask 25 bucks shipped for it.

06/20/2007, 12:46 PM	#765
Bunkerbean Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: McDonough, GA Posts: 298	No I am done with mods on this skimmer. Yeah sometime.

06/21/2007, 10:05 AM	#769
davidabrown66 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 231	Received my new Gen-x 4100 last night, and only had time to test the SCFH with the Euroreef NW, volute and venturi. I measured 18 SCFH after doing that which seems a little lower than expected, but then again I have to add mesh still. Which leads me to the next question. How do I mesh the ER needle wheel? I've done the OTP many times, and this one is completely different. Do I cut all the pins off or most? Do I drill into the disk that the pins connect to in order to secure with wire ties? Anyone have a link?

06/21/2007, 08:03 PM	#770
outy Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: auburn CA Posts: 4,021	i did it, i cut all the needles off, hand filed them down after using a dremel. then drilled holes for zipties. kinda like you described lol

06/22/2007, 11:29 PM	#771
carlos_fb Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 879	I'm about to throw the towel with my NW-150. I did the gate valve mod and I still can't get it to work properly. Either it won't skim or it will overflow with any minimum adjustment. Please check out the picture to see if you can pin point the problem. When I used it with the riser pipe, it worked perfectly but it was too noisy.

06/22/2007, 11:58 PM	#772
humbugy Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: bloomington, il Posts: 464	have you tried lowering the sump level??

06/23/2007, 06:48 AM	#773
ppurcell Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 2,911	I see three possible problems. 1. the output from the skimmer is under water which creates some backpressure. You should have the output above water and find someway to deal with bubbles created by that. (put the output into that filter sock maybe) 2. gatevalves and a fluctuating water level in the sump do not go together. if your water level fluctuates because of evaporation, ATO, or any other reason you should use an adjustable standpipe instead. I've used a couple of skimmers with gatevalves and I have never been able to get them to not misbehave from time to time. 3. the gatevalve is too high on the riser pipe. I think if you move it lower using a T right off of the end of the grey pipe then you may have better control, but my opinion about #2 above still stands.

06/23/2007, 07:57 AM	#774
Mr Bojangles Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Brevard county, Fl Posts: 914	I would lower it in the sump and you will need to get the return out of the water. Look at my pic and you can see that I sliced it, it will let the water flow down without splashing every where

06/23/2007, 02:55 PM	#775
carlos_fb Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 879	I did what you guys suggested. However the water level in the area where I have the skimmer fluctuates with my Osmolator so I guess I won't be able to get it right with my current setup. Is there any other alternative to the gate valve? can you do something like a "u" for the adjustable standpipe so that it does not make that much noise?