Octopus Skimmer Mods - Page 10

RichConley · 08/27/2006, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bspete
Well I purchased the DNW-200 recirc model and was pulling 5 lpm through the stock setup. Thanks to the help here at reef central I just opened up the throat of the pump output by 5/8" and cleaned the venturi with a small drill bit and now I am pulling 8/lpm (unsure what that is in SCFH) but a significant jump to be sure. You would think they would be optimized from the factory, however if it just takes an hour of time to double check/modify and it costs so much less then it is still a great value. Many thanks again to all you experimenters. I would have never thought that it could be improved so much with so little.

Thanks,
Bryan

5lpm is about 10.5 SCHF
8lpm is about 16.8 SCFH

Roland Jacques · 08/27/2006, 09:13 AM

The Skimmer fairy came to my house also last night.

i turned the air down to 21 last night and this morning 25 scfh. wide open 28 scfh. on the skimmer!!!!

I got to go and thank God, and ask for some more help with this one. i guess i no what im doing after church today.

Unbelivable

Ereefic · 08/27/2006, 09:27 AM

It sounds like it is not pulling a consistant amount of air? Is this the case?

RichConley · 08/27/2006, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ereefic
It sounds like it is not pulling a consistant amount of air? Is this the case?

I dont think its that. When I originally went to the gutter wheel, mine was pulling 25. THe next morning it was pulling 30. I think its something to do with the gutter guard chunks alligning themselves or something.

Roland Jacques · 08/27/2006, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ereefic
It sounds like it is not pulling a consistant amount of air? Is this the case?

Yeah it is definitely the case over the first 12 hours anyway.
When I tested the other one I watched it, and just adjusted it trying to get dry foam. This time I just put it together adjusted it to get a wetter foam and went to bed. Good thing was cup only had 1/4 cup of skimmate in it.
It definitely went up 4 SCFH over 12 hours. I agree with Rich, I think the centrifugal force straightened out the material, and performance improved.

Tip number 43, wait 24 hours before doing final adjustment to the skimmer. When you have the Ghetto wheel, GG wheel, RoJac wheel, what ever we call it.

wjhuie · 08/27/2006, 01:35 PM

Does MS have any Xtra NW for sale?

Robert Patterso · 08/27/2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wjhuie
Does MS have any Xtra NW for sale?

That's a good question!! I've emailed them twice now and still response. Although it's only been a couple of days. I'm also looking for the gray type venturi. Mine came with I'm guessing the older style.
Does anybody know if for certain the gray style works any better. I modified the black style and installed a second air inlet. It does seem to pull more air.
Can anybody tell me where to get shcf guage?

Covey · 08/27/2006, 02:39 PM

Here you go.
http://www.dwyer-inst.com/htdocs/flo...MPrice.cfm#CRA

Ereefic · 08/27/2006, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wjhuie
Does MS have any Xtra NW for sale?

Custom Aquatics has the replacement pumps (on there site) and they say they have the NW impellers (not on there site) too. Should hear back from them tomorrow on a price.

ChemE · 08/27/2006, 04:11 PM

You guys keep saying Custom Aquatics has replacement pumps but I don't see OTP pumps anywhere on their site. How about a link?

Deuce67 · 08/27/2006, 04:32 PM

Here is my version of the venturi mod on my RPS 2000. Basically I cut off the venturi stem and tapped the hole to a 1/8 npt.

I then inserted a piece of 3/16 rigid tubing into a 1/8mpt X 1/4 JG fitting. I had to ream out the JG a bit for the rigid tubing to fit. Glued the tubing on and cut the end at an angle.

I just marked the JG fitting where the opening of the tubing is so I know where the opening is. I just use an RO tubing for my venturi hose.

It works a lot better than the stock venturi IMO since I have not had to blow into the tube to start the bubbles everytime I shut off the pump or if the power went off.

Deuce67 · 08/27/2006, 04:37 PM

As for my pinwheel mod, basically I just used a Sedra 5000 pinwheel. I cut off the shaft a bit and used some maxijet rubber end tips for the ends of the shaft. This brought my air lpm from around 5-6 lpm to around 8 lpm.

I think Im going to try the RoJac gutter mod here and see if I can get this thing to pull around 10 lpms.

Robert Patterso · 08/27/2006, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Covey
Here you go.
http://www.dwyer-inst.com/htdocs/flo...MPrice.cfm#CRA

Thanks Covey, now i can see what my skimmer is doing exactly

ChemE · 08/27/2006, 04:49 PM

I'd recommend you go with the 5" scale rather than the mini master. The bounce will span a much smaller portion of the scale and you'll be able to take much more precise readings.

Avast Marine · 08/27/2006, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChemE
You guys keep saying Custom Aquatics has replacement pumps but I don't see OTP pumps anywhere on their site. How about a link?

voila

Ereefic · 08/27/2006, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChemE
You guys keep saying Custom Aquatics has replacement pumps but I don't see OTP pumps anywhere on their site. How about a link?

There under 'skimmer replacement parts and accessories'.

http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...dexid=ps-ac-pm

Avast Marine · 08/27/2006, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChemE
I'd recommend you go with the 5" scale rather than the mini master. The bounce will span a much smaller portion of the scale and you'll be able to take much more precise readings.

rmb-52????

Roland Jacques · 08/27/2006, 06:30 PM

Just a report on my latest mod. Well, I think we gone beyond the air capacity of the skimmer/ neck. Currently I have been running the air wide open. Today it has crept up a little more to right at 29 scfh. The water level is just below the BOTTOM of the transition of the body to the neck. Even though the water level is in the skimmer body, it is working great and foam is very dry. It easy to reduce the air flow so this is not a problem. I could even just remove a disk from my impeller. That would also decrease the water flow and watts draw.

FWIW, I found Kill-a Watt meters locally at the Harbor Freight Store $25.00. Im picking one up tomorrow.

outy · 08/27/2006, 07:51 PM

Deuce67

can you eplain the pinwheel mod a little better

i want to do the rojac gutter mod to the sedra 3500

any ideas would be helpful

Ereefic · 08/27/2006, 08:11 PM

Roland, what is your explanation for the skimmer pulling more air after 12 hours? For some reason, that doesn't seem like it should be doing that.

clkwrk · 08/27/2006, 08:13 PM

Has anyone thought about the strain on the pump?

Robert Patterso · 08/27/2006, 08:22 PM

has anybody noticed an increase in temperature after installing their otp 200 nw? Since mine was installed my tank temp. has gone up 3 deg. From 79 during the day to 82. It has never run over 79. Not to happy about it.

I think the skimmer is great, would like to figure out what to do about it though. A chiller is not really in cards, would be a last alternative.

Covey · 08/27/2006, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roland Jacques

FWIW, I found Kill-a Watt meters locally at the Harbor Freight Store $25.00. Im picking one up tomorrow.

crkwrk I think he is on it.

Anyone moding these should have a killawatt or the old fashion V/A meter and some math. As moding the pump without it could get you more airflow but at the cost of burning out the pump.

Roland I lost track but what do you think the max air is for this giving neck and what leads you to believe this?

Again I don't remember and the new model number confuse me what RO are you moding?

Abengochea · 08/27/2006, 10:09 PM

I want to do the mod to the elbow but want to make sure I get it right. With using a 5/8 bit, i just drill straight through? Or do I have to shave more than the width of the bit? In other words how big can the hole be without going through the elbow?

MadTownMax · 08/27/2006, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dandy7200
voila

wow - those are some seriously cheap needlewheels!

08/27/2006, 09:13 AM	#227
Roland Jacques Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 2,848	The Skimmer fairy came to my house also last night. i turned the air down to 21 last night and this morning 25 scfh. wide open 28 scfh. on the skimmer!!!! I got to go and thank God, and ask for some more help with this one. i guess i no what im doing after church today. Unbelivable __________________ Roland

08/27/2006, 04:11 PM	#235
ChemE Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: East Nashville, TN Posts: 1,607	You guys keep saying Custom Aquatics has replacement pumps but I don't see OTP pumps anywhere on their site. How about a link? __________________ Holding it down on the engineering tip y'all Current Tank Info: 190G

08/27/2006, 04:49 PM	#239
ChemE Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: East Nashville, TN Posts: 1,607	I'd recommend you go with the 5" scale rather than the mini master. The bounce will span a much smaller portion of the scale and you'll be able to take much more precise readings. __________________ Holding it down on the engineering tip y'all Current Tank Info: 190G

08/27/2006, 06:30 PM	#243
Roland Jacques Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 2,848	Just a report on my latest mod. Well, I think we gone beyond the air capacity of the skimmer/ neck. Currently I have been running the air wide open. Today it has crept up a little more to right at 29 scfh. The water level is just below the BOTTOM of the transition of the body to the neck. Even though the water level is in the skimmer body, it is working great and foam is very dry. It easy to reduce the air flow so this is not a problem. I could even just remove a disk from my impeller. That would also decrease the water flow and watts draw. FWIW, I found Kill-a Watt meters locally at the Harbor Freight Store $25.00. Im picking one up tomorrow. __________________ Roland

08/27/2006, 08:13 PM	#246
clkwrk Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Mesa ,Az Posts: 10,257	Has anyone thought about the strain on the pump? __________________ ------- Feel free to use my photos for ONLY informative sites, education or enjoyment.All I ask is to include my Reef Central User id and where you got the photo ( RC).

08/27/2006, 09:27 AM	#228
Ereefic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,821	It sounds like it is not pulling a consistant amount of air? Is this the case?

08/27/2006, 01:35 PM	#231
wjhuie Moved On Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: dyersburg Tn Posts: 764	Does MS have any Xtra NW for sale?

08/27/2006, 02:39 PM	#233
Covey Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Davenport IA Posts: 2,018	Here you go. http://www.dwyer-inst.com/htdocs/flo...MPrice.cfm#CRA

08/27/2006, 04:32 PM	#236
Deuce67 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: CO Posts: 3,750	Here is my version of the venturi mod on my RPS 2000. Basically I cut off the venturi stem and tapped the hole to a 1/8 npt. I then inserted a piece of 3/16 rigid tubing into a 1/8mpt X 1/4 JG fitting. I had to ream out the JG a bit for the rigid tubing to fit. Glued the tubing on and cut the end at an angle. I just marked the JG fitting where the opening of the tubing is so I know where the opening is. I just use an RO tubing for my venturi hose. It works a lot better than the stock venturi IMO since I have not had to blow into the tube to start the bubbles everytime I shut off the pump or if the power went off.

08/27/2006, 04:37 PM	#237
Deuce67 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: CO Posts: 3,750	As for my pinwheel mod, basically I just used a Sedra 5000 pinwheel. I cut off the shaft a bit and used some maxijet rubber end tips for the ends of the shaft. This brought my air lpm from around 5-6 lpm to around 8 lpm. I think Im going to try the RoJac gutter mod here and see if I can get this thing to pull around 10 lpms.

08/27/2006, 07:51 PM	#244
outy Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: auburn CA Posts: 4,021	Deuce67 can you eplain the pinwheel mod a little better i want to do the rojac gutter mod to the sedra 3500 any ideas would be helpful

08/27/2006, 08:11 PM	#245
Ereefic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,821	Roland, what is your explanation for the skimmer pulling more air after 12 hours? For some reason, that doesn't seem like it should be doing that.

08/27/2006, 08:22 PM	#247
Robert Patterso Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denton, Tx Posts: 711	Increased temperature has anybody noticed an increase in temperature after installing their otp 200 nw? Since mine was installed my tank temp. has gone up 3 deg. From 79 during the day to 82. It has never run over 79. Not to happy about it. I think the skimmer is great, would like to figure out what to do about it though. A chiller is not really in cards, would be a last alternative.

08/27/2006, 10:09 PM	#249
Abengochea Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 670	I want to do the mod to the elbow but want to make sure I get it right. With using a 5/8 bit, i just drill straight through? Or do I have to shave more than the width of the bit? In other words how big can the hole be without going through the elbow? __________________ Armando Current Tank Info: 29 Biocube