Octopus Skimmer Mods - Page 5

Mr Bojangles · 03/01/2007, 07:29 PM

well I just took a idea from my other modded skimmer and used it on the octo, I drilled the stock on out and put a notch in it so the ro tubing can go straight down, cut it on a angle, a zip tie to keep it upright and wallah! This is seeming to pull more than just the regular drill out and shove a tube in. I get my air meeter any day now and I will let you know what I am getting.

mg426 · 03/01/2007, 08:01 PM

FYI I saw Enkamat on ebay for $5:00 inlcludes shipping too.

BLockamon · 03/01/2007, 10:51 PM

Any recommendations for modifying the venturi on a recirc skimmer? It will, of course, need to be water-tight since I run the skimmer external.

rleechb · 03/02/2007, 01:56 AM

Is it really necessary to run the tube that far back? (Behind the gray pvc). I did the same mod, with the co2 tubing slotted like that. With the slot facing towards the pump (like in the above picture), I didn't get very good air at all, and the pump started rattling. With the slot facing the other direction (where water enters the pump) the tubing sounded like an airplane taking off, with lots of air coming in. Wish I had an air meter...

All in all, I don't really see a marked improvement. Maybe my skimmer is maxed out as it was, with 3 layers of PF4 on a NW150.

Malifluous · 03/02/2007, 03:14 AM

Im wondering if the part of the volute that has the o ring on it can be grinded down about 1/4 " to the o ring. This would allow another layer of mesh.

Roland Jacques · 03/02/2007, 07:34 AM

I reversed drilled the air line hole to accommodate a RO Gusset fitting I got at lowes. (drilling is tricky not to go to deep) then threaded the fitting in firmly. I put some Fastweld on it to but it was not absolutely necessary.

Then just drilled the other hole out slightly larger than before, I can pull over 40 scfh through this venturi. (be careful drilling not to go all the way through!!!)

fighton03 · 03/02/2007, 08:50 AM

is it possible to leak-proof your design?

hounddog01 · 03/02/2007, 10:40 AM

This AM my skimmer is pegging the 20scfh meter.

KH971 · 03/02/2007, 10:56 AM

Now i know what to do Roland for my DDNW-250!! Thanks Roland!!

hounddog01 · 03/02/2007, 10:58 AM

Roland,

Give us the specs on the rest of that mod. It really pulls 40? That is huge.

timrandlerv10 · 03/02/2007, 11:46 AM

reverse drill = drilling, but with the bit turning the 'wrong' way?

and we do this too...keep from plunging the bit all the way through the plastic?

does it matter which wheel the mesh goes on?

first mod ever tonight!

Roland Jacques · 03/02/2007, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by timrandlerv10

1. reverse drill = drilling, but with the bit turning the 'wrong' way?

2. and we do this too...keep from plunging the bit all the way through the plastic?

3. does it matter which wheel the mesh goes on?

first mod ever tonight!

1. yes (use a vise to hold it)

2. yes, and if you go forward it tends to bite to much, unless you are real good with a drill or have a dull bit...

3. many ways of doing it most work good enough to get 20-25.

the venturi in that photo is water tight.

TYPE -O i said "Fastweld" I ment "Weld On 16". You can use Goop instead of Weld-on, it probably a little stronger even. Actualy fastweld would work also

Yes i can get40 scfh and more. (I think Rich has goten 60 out of a Otp 3000.) but the NW-200 skimmer neck cant handle it. 20-25 is good IMO.

timrandlerv10 · 03/02/2007, 06:12 PM

where can i get a replacement impeller and...w/e that is where the airhose connects to the threaded piece?

i want to order replacements today, and drill tonight...if i break them, replacements already on the way. if i dont..well, i will. i was that guy in high school shop

i have the 110 with the otp 1000.

thanks!

tim

timrandlerv10 · 03/02/2007, 06:12 PM

where can i get a replacement impeller and...w/e that is where the airhose connects to the threaded piece?

i want to order replacements today, and drill tonight...if i break them, replacements already on the way. if i dont..well, i will. i was that guy in high school shop

i have the 110 with the otp 1000.

thanks!

tim

Roland Jacques · 03/02/2007, 06:20 PM

venturi where air hose connects are not in stock any where right now that i no of. I was told a few weeks. impellers maybe octopusskimmer.com, but they dont return my emails about venturis ether.

BLockamon · 03/02/2007, 06:24 PM

You can get the impellar from Custom Aquatics, but they don't list the venturi on their website.

I e-mailed SWC a while back and asked about getting a replacement impellar and venturi. He had the impellar but not the venturi, although he said he would have some after his return from China in "a few weeks."

You might want to call SWC (Salt Water Connection).

hounddog01 · 03/02/2007, 10:35 PM

Do not worry about the replacement impeller. If you break yours and you want a new one let me know. I have 2 now since I did not want to take the chance of it not working. The mesh mod will work and I would not worry about makeing the change.

PM me if you want the impeller I will sell it at cost.

lynxdevlopment · 03/03/2007, 02:09 PM

I can't get my octo 400 to stop leaking from around one of the pump intakes, the black part of the pump that comes off if I turn it a 1/4 turn and the impeller is inside of. Also of course it's full of twenty or so gal's of water any suggestions how to fix it with out taking apart.

D-Rod · 03/03/2007, 03:28 PM

I'm looking for the gate valve MOD for the NW150, anybody have a list of parts with that I need purchase with measurements.

Thanks
D-Rod

JCTewks · 03/03/2007, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Malifluous
Im wondering if the part of the volute that has the o ring on it can be grinded down about 1/4 " to the o ring. This would allow another layer of mesh.

I was anle to get about an 1/8th of an inch off of mine and was enough to get another layer in. i wasn't comfortable going any more than that. afraid i would go through. be careful not to grind off the center part that holds the shaft.

Jeff

Malifluous · 03/03/2007, 04:18 PM

lynxdevlopment
I think u will have to take it apart to fix the leak properly. I would remove the leaking peice and wipe some silicone grease on the
O-ring

Jef, I forgot about the middle where the shaft goes still needs to remain untouched, but grinding around it should make some more room in there. I will do the venturi mod before I start grinding that part down. Did u enlarge the existing venturi or made a completely new hole ?

Malifluous · 03/03/2007, 08:46 PM

Hey Jeff, Thanks for the tips! I added another 1/4" ID venturi on the opposite end of the the stock venturi. Drilled a hole and tapped it, screwed in a 3/16" barbed fitting. Im pulling about 18 scfh. My bubble / water line is at the point where water enters the skimmer from the tank. Cant get any lower than that!. The only mods i have done are
1. mesh wheel
2. reamed out the area where the water leaves the volute to make a smooother ride.
3. Larger venturi.

JCTewks · 03/04/2007, 12:33 AM

Malifilous, I actually bored out that entire piece where the existing venturi hole comes in. it comes stock at about 3/8" ID and I bored it out as large as I could, about 13/16 or so. I'v thought about adding a second airlineto the other side of the venturi, but, like i've said....I can't handle any more air. Is your foam just pouring into the collection cup uncontrollably??? if not yet....watch out....you'll be needing a neck extension like mine.

Here is mine before I had the air meter at what i would guess to be 17-18 SCFH

Jeff

Malifluous · 03/04/2007, 02:07 AM

I was afraid to mess with the stock venturi so I did a separate one that I could close up if I messed up. No uncontrollable foam yet. I experimented with the skimmer mods on a 10 gallon with no bioload. In the 10 gal I had foam like crazy but not uncontrolable as long as I kept the effluent valve open all the way. I just hooked it up to my main tank and glued one part and the foam is very minimal. I think this is from the glue. Hopefully I am around when it gets rid of the glue and breaks in so It doesnt make a mess.

Malifluous · 03/04/2007, 02:21 AM

5 minutes later............yes the foam is out of control. Its uncontollably Great!!!!!

03/01/2007, 08:01 PM	#102
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	FYI I saw Enkamat on ebay for $5:00 inlcludes shipping too. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

03/02/2007, 07:34 AM	#106
Roland Jacques Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 2,848	I reversed drilled the air line hole to accommodate a RO Gusset fitting I got at lowes. (drilling is tricky not to go to deep) then threaded the fitting in firmly. I put some Fastweld on it to but it was not absolutely necessary. Then just drilled the other hole out slightly larger than before, I can pull over 40 scfh through this venturi. (be careful drilling not to go all the way through!!!) __________________ Roland Last edited by Roland Jacques; 03/02/2007 at 07:41 AM.

03/02/2007, 10:40 AM	#108
hounddog01 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Bloomington, IL Posts: 1,045	This AM my skimmer is pegging the 20scfh meter. __________________ 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

03/02/2007, 10:58 AM	#110
hounddog01 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Bloomington, IL Posts: 1,045	Roland, Give us the specs on the rest of that mod. It really pulls 40? That is huge. __________________ 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

03/02/2007, 06:20 PM	#115
Roland Jacques Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 2,848	venturi where air hose connects are not in stock any where right now that i no of. I was told a few weeks. impellers maybe octopusskimmer.com, but they dont return my emails about venturis ether. __________________ Roland

03/01/2007, 07:29 PM	#101
Mr Bojangles Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Brevard county, Fl Posts: 914	well I just took a idea from my other modded skimmer and used it on the octo, I drilled the stock on out and put a notch in it so the ro tubing can go straight down, cut it on a angle, a zip tie to keep it upright and wallah! This is seeming to pull more than just the regular drill out and shove a tube in. I get my air meeter any day now and I will let you know what I am getting.

03/01/2007, 10:51 PM	#103
BLockamon Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,104	Any recommendations for modifying the venturi on a recirc skimmer? It will, of course, need to be water-tight since I run the skimmer external.

03/02/2007, 01:56 AM	#104
rleechb Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 2,684	Is it really necessary to run the tube that far back? (Behind the gray pvc). I did the same mod, with the co2 tubing slotted like that. With the slot facing towards the pump (like in the above picture), I didn't get very good air at all, and the pump started rattling. With the slot facing the other direction (where water enters the pump) the tubing sounded like an airplane taking off, with lots of air coming in. Wish I had an air meter... All in all, I don't really see a marked improvement. Maybe my skimmer is maxed out as it was, with 3 layers of PF4 on a NW150.

03/02/2007, 03:14 AM	#105
Malifluous Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hawaii Posts: 417	Im wondering if the part of the volute that has the o ring on it can be grinded down about 1/4 " to the o ring. This would allow another layer of mesh.

03/02/2007, 08:50 AM	#107
fighton03 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: baytown, tx Posts: 331	is it possible to leak-proof your design?

03/02/2007, 10:56 AM	#109
KH971 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Eatonton,GA. Posts: 824	Now i know what to do Roland for my DDNW-250!! Thanks Roland!!

03/02/2007, 11:46 AM	#111
timrandlerv10 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 1,409	reverse drill = drilling, but with the bit turning the 'wrong' way? and we do this too...keep from plunging the bit all the way through the plastic? does it matter which wheel the mesh goes on? first mod ever tonight!

03/02/2007, 06:12 PM	#113
timrandlerv10 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 1,409	where can i get a replacement impeller and...w/e that is where the airhose connects to the threaded piece? i want to order replacements today, and drill tonight...if i break them, replacements already on the way. if i dont..well, i will. i was that guy in high school shop i have the 110 with the otp 1000. thanks! tim

03/02/2007, 06:12 PM	#114
timrandlerv10 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 1,409	where can i get a replacement impeller and...w/e that is where the airhose connects to the threaded piece? i want to order replacements today, and drill tonight...if i break them, replacements already on the way. if i dont..well, i will. i was that guy in high school shop i have the 110 with the otp 1000. thanks! tim

03/02/2007, 06:24 PM	#116
BLockamon Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,104	You can get the impellar from Custom Aquatics, but they don't list the venturi on their website. I e-mailed SWC a while back and asked about getting a replacement impellar and venturi. He had the impellar but not the venturi, although he said he would have some after his return from China in "a few weeks." You might want to call SWC (Salt Water Connection).

03/02/2007, 10:35 PM	#117
hounddog01 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Bloomington, IL Posts: 1,045	Do not worry about the replacement impeller. If you break yours and you want a new one let me know. I have 2 now since I did not want to take the chance of it not working. The mesh mod will work and I would not worry about makeing the change. PM me if you want the impeller I will sell it at cost. __________________ 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

03/03/2007, 02:09 PM	#118
lynxdevlopment Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Boulder Colo Posts: 56	I can't get my octo 400 to stop leaking from around one of the pump intakes, the black part of the pump that comes off if I turn it a 1/4 turn and the impeller is inside of. Also of course it's full of twenty or so gal's of water any suggestions how to fix it with out taking apart.

03/03/2007, 03:28 PM	#119
D-Rod Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Paso Robles, Ca Posts: 1,020	I'm looking for the gate valve MOD for the NW150, anybody have a list of parts with that I need purchase with measurements. Thanks D-Rod __________________ The Vino Man - I Trade With Wine...Just Ask! Current Tank Info: Small Tank, Lights, Fish; Tangs a whole bunch, 4 False Perculas, 6 rose anemones Mixed Reef.

03/03/2007, 04:18 PM	#121
Malifluous Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hawaii Posts: 417	lynxdevlopment I think u will have to take it apart to fix the leak properly. I would remove the leaking peice and wipe some silicone grease on the O-ring Jef, I forgot about the middle where the shaft goes still needs to remain untouched, but grinding around it should make some more room in there. I will do the venturi mod before I start grinding that part down. Did u enlarge the existing venturi or made a completely new hole ?

03/03/2007, 08:46 PM	#122
Malifluous Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hawaii Posts: 417	Hey Jeff, Thanks for the tips! I added another 1/4" ID venturi on the opposite end of the the stock venturi. Drilled a hole and tapped it, screwed in a 3/16" barbed fitting. Im pulling about 18 scfh. My bubble / water line is at the point where water enters the skimmer from the tank. Cant get any lower than that!. The only mods i have done are 1. mesh wheel 2. reamed out the area where the water leaves the volute to make a smooother ride. 3. Larger venturi. Last edited by Malifluous; 03/03/2007 at 09:06 PM.

03/04/2007, 12:33 AM	#123
JCTewks Moved On Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wilmington, Ohio Posts: 3,040	Malifilous, I actually bored out that entire piece where the existing venturi hole comes in. it comes stock at about 3/8" ID and I bored it out as large as I could, about 13/16 or so. I'v thought about adding a second airlineto the other side of the venturi, but, like i've said....I can't handle any more air. Is your foam just pouring into the collection cup uncontrollably??? if not yet....watch out....you'll be needing a neck extension like mine. Here is mine before I had the air meter at what i would guess to be 17-18 SCFH Jeff

03/04/2007, 02:07 AM	#124
Malifluous Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hawaii Posts: 417	I was afraid to mess with the stock venturi so I did a separate one that I could close up if I messed up. No uncontrollable foam yet. I experimented with the skimmer mods on a 10 gallon with no bioload. In the 10 gal I had foam like crazy but not uncontrolable as long as I kept the effluent valve open all the way. I just hooked it up to my main tank and glued one part and the foam is very minimal. I think this is from the glue. Hopefully I am around when it gets rid of the glue and breaks in so It doesnt make a mess.

03/04/2007, 02:21 AM	#125
Malifluous Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hawaii Posts: 417	5 minutes later............yes the foam is out of control. Its uncontollably Great!!!!!