Fired up the Reef Octopus... Nothing???

newman330 · 03/03/2007, 08:53 PM

I have the recirc model DNWS 150 (external). I am powering it with a Hydor 30 (approx 250 gal per hour) on my 120 + 40g sump.

First off, dam thing is noisy. Secondly, the chamber is full of foam (top half), but the 'collected' foam at the top is no more than 1/2" thick.

I just fired up my aquarium last saturday (8 days back). I am cycling with 90lbs of cured live rock. I have not seen ammonia yet, but I had an explosion of green hair algae about 2 days ago and it is getting thicker and thicker. Not sure whether the rock is giving off phosphate / nitrate or both, but I thought it would be a good opportunity to test out the skimmer

Anyway, I have heard on this forum people talk about 'tuning' the skimmer. I have adjusted the heighth of the water column back and forth. Other than that, what should I do. I have also read all the threads where people talk about a 'breaking in' period. I am not expecting to produce tons of black gunk immediately, but with the obvious nutrients available, I was expecting something.

Appreciate any guidance

BreadmanMike · 03/03/2007, 09:01 PM

Give it 48-72 hours to break in. It should start skimming then.

newman330 · 03/03/2007, 10:33 PM

Yeah that is what I hear. It is strange though... With so many nutrients, I just expected a faster response.

Latest update: The 1/2" skimmate layer on top is starting to form a dark ring on the top edge. I think things are getting started.

Thing is noisy though! The wife who has been enjoying watching copper band butterflys whack aiptasia, is now on my butt about the noise. One step forward - two steps back. Really hard to keep the wife happy with an aquarium (or anything for that matter

)

I am impressed with the butterfly fish. They have really done a job on the aiptasia in little over a day. Should be able to return them in the next day or so.

schristi69 · 03/05/2007, 04:45 PM

I discovered on thing with the Octopus skimmer. They give you several hose gaskets and O-rings. I made the mistake of putting one of the gaskets in the intake fitting with the venturi. Suprise, the gasket covered the air hole and suprise...little or no air got through. One of those little things that make ya go hmmmmmm. The water coming out of the outlet makes a lot of noise too. The gate valve mod should cure that.

Lo0seR · 03/05/2007, 05:05 PM

Ya schristi69 is right...I took mine down to Lowes and did an O ring match in order not to block the air intake. I have a 200 I bought 2 weeks ago and it is now just starting to pull some muck.

Randy1 · 03/05/2007, 06:48 PM

I've heard this so much with this skimmer thats why I opted to buy the Eruoreef RS 180. I just bought it Saturday and already 1-2 in. in the cup. I really don'y get the break in peroid thing, I've never had that happen.

03/03/2007, 08:53 PM	#1
newman330 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Singapore Posts: 55	Fired up the Reef Octopus... Nothing??? I have the recirc model DNWS 150 (external). I am powering it with a Hydor 30 (approx 250 gal per hour) on my 120 + 40g sump. First off, dam thing is noisy. Secondly, the chamber is full of foam (top half), but the 'collected' foam at the top is no more than 1/2" thick. I just fired up my aquarium last saturday (8 days back). I am cycling with 90lbs of cured live rock. I have not seen ammonia yet, but I had an explosion of green hair algae about 2 days ago and it is getting thicker and thicker. Not sure whether the rock is giving off phosphate / nitrate or both, but I thought it would be a good opportunity to test out the skimmer Anyway, I have heard on this forum people talk about 'tuning' the skimmer. I have adjusted the heighth of the water column back and forth. Other than that, what should I do. I have also read all the threads where people talk about a 'breaking in' period. I am not expecting to produce tons of black gunk immediately, but with the obvious nutrients available, I was expecting something. Appreciate any guidance

03/05/2007, 04:45 PM	#4
schristi69 Master of Space and Time Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 1,340	I discovered on thing with the Octopus skimmer. They give you several hose gaskets and O-rings. I made the mistake of putting one of the gaskets in the intake fitting with the venturi. Suprise, the gasket covered the air hole and suprise...little or no air got through. One of those little things that make ya go hmmmmmm. The water coming out of the outlet makes a lot of noise too. The gate valve mod should cure that. __________________ "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely" - Lord Acton Current Tank Info: None, nada, gone

03/03/2007, 09:01 PM	#2
BreadmanMike Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,886	Give it 48-72 hours to break in. It should start skimming then.

03/03/2007, 10:33 PM	#3
newman330 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Singapore Posts: 55	Yeah that is what I hear. It is strange though... With so many nutrients, I just expected a faster response. Latest update: The 1/2" skimmate layer on top is starting to form a dark ring on the top edge. I think things are getting started. Thing is noisy though! The wife who has been enjoying watching copper band butterflys whack aiptasia, is now on my butt about the noise. One step forward - two steps back. Really hard to keep the wife happy with an aquarium (or anything for that matter ) I am impressed with the butterfly fish. They have really done a job on the aiptasia in little over a day. Should be able to return them in the next day or so.

03/05/2007, 05:05 PM	#5
Lo0seR Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: La Mesa, Ca. Posts: 443	Ya schristi69 is right...I took mine down to Lowes and did an O ring match in order not to block the air intake. I have a 200 I bought 2 weeks ago and it is now just starting to pull some muck.

03/05/2007, 06:48 PM	#6
Randy1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lorain, Ohio USA Posts: 578	I've heard this so much with this skimmer thats why I opted to buy the Eruoreef RS 180. I just bought it Saturday and already 1-2 in. in the cup. I really don'y get the break in peroid thing, I've never had that happen.