question about skimmer depth

lifesworksataol · 01/14/2008, 12:20 AM

i have this skimmer http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...y_Code=Octopus
its the octopus 200
how high should the sump water go up on it?
i know my euro reef is 6 to 8 inchs.
anyone know what it is for this skimmer?
there website is not any help at all.

TheGrog · 01/14/2008, 03:13 AM

I am not 100% on this brand, but it is very similiar to ASM and euroreef skimmers. I think they are set at the same depth. I would set it so the top of the intake gasket is covered (usually 6-8")

Hope this helps.

sytanek · 01/14/2008, 06:13 AM

I do my octopus to the top of the union, I just start there and adjust for how wet I want the skimmate. Not sure on height, exactly, because I believe the 200 is taller than the other ones.

lifesworksataol · 01/14/2008, 07:35 AM

its huge! i get alot of skim but it never makes it to the cup. it just clings to the inside wall of the tube and the adjuster cant go any higher. i have the water at 8 or 9 inches already. thank you guys for your help

AJ69 · 01/14/2008, 11:37 AM

mine is the 150 and always try to keep it at 6-8" depth

markandkristen · 01/14/2008, 12:06 PM

can you put a gatevalve mod on it?

lusenut2 · 01/14/2008, 01:49 PM

Call skippy he has the same skimmer. He would know.

dugg · 01/14/2008, 02:05 PM

I have my NW-150 modded with a gate valve. It sits in from 8 to 11 inches of water, depending on if i remember to fill my topoff water. It doesn't effect the skimmer when the level drops to 8 inches at all. My internal water level doesn't depend on the outside level with the gate valve. I never used it with the stock riser pipe, so i don't know how the internal water level acts when using the stock pipe as opposed to the gate valve.

lifesworksataol · 01/14/2008, 08:09 PM

do they have a gate valve setup for sale anywhere? i need to call skippy! i just never remember to call him when he is home

jade2122 · 01/14/2008, 09:00 PM

once you get it going you will have to let me know how good the skimmer is, that is one of the ones i was thinking about getting. best of luck

lifesworksataol · 01/14/2008, 09:07 PM

thanks - iam going to try that gate mod. that is the same mod i never did on my euro reef that i always wanted to do.

dugg · 01/14/2008, 09:59 PM

My mod is just 1 1/2 inch pvc. I have a straight 1 1/2" coupling slid over the original riser tube. When the center part of the coupling hits the o'ring, it seals up snug. Then just plumb it from there. No glue or cutting on the skimmer is needed.

dugg · 01/14/2008, 10:19 PM

Here is mine. I haven't taken it back apart to make it all final yet, but it works fine. The other plumbing in the background is the 2" drain from the tank, and the bypass for the return, and DIY phosban reactor.

lifesworksataol · 01/15/2008, 07:17 AM

thanks - thats project 1 for today (if i dont end up working) is that a wrasse by your dump out?
why do you have your up pipe on your skimmer going out and over? dont people usually just go up with it? just wondering if you found a cool better way or something

thor32766 · 01/15/2008, 07:49 AM

actually i would say thats a skunk clown.

lifesworksataol · 01/15/2008, 09:20 AM

well i like your old avatar better! my monitor sucks, but it looks to long to be a clown. drum roll....

dugg · 01/15/2008, 10:23 AM

It's a pink skunk clown that was picking at my new black clowns. The up pipe on my skimmer is just like that because i was testing it out, and didn't have any more straight PVC lol. I still need to go to lowes and get some more PVC and re do everything. The 90's on the up pipe are actually a problem. They cause a kind of surge in the flow if the water level reaches the bend.

lifesworksataol · 01/15/2008, 10:27 AM

dang i was wrong. give it up for thor!
where can you get the black pvc pipes?

sytanek · 01/15/2008, 03:15 PM

This is what the official gate valve mod looks like, its a small pic, but you can get the idea. With my DIY skimmer, I didn't have a T I just used a 90 and then to a gate valve, and it works fine.

dugg · 01/15/2008, 04:47 PM

Here, i fixed it lol. I just noticed a huge type-0 in my first post. The skimmer parts are 1 1/4 inch PVC not 1 1/2. There is no need to cut off the original riser pipe IMO. The 1 1/4 coupler slips on there pretty snug. As long as it is an in sump installation it will be fine. No need in destroying the skimmer, you may want to sell it and keep your gate valve one day.

lifesworksataol · 01/15/2008, 04:48 PM

very cool thanks man! - you dont know where i could find the black pvc do you?

dugg · 01/15/2008, 04:51 PM

Why black PVC? If it's a looks issue, paint it with black krylon fussion paint. It is reef safe paint and way cheaper than black pvc i bet.

lifesworksataol · 01/15/2008, 08:19 PM

it will rub off or make the pipe bigger wont it? for sliding it out later. i also seen it on someone elses system and it was awesome looking.

dugg · 01/15/2008, 08:59 PM

Not positive, but i think you can get the black pvc at koi pond stores.

01/14/2008, 12:20 AM	#1
lifesworksataol Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sanford Posts: 2,778	question about skimmer depth i have this skimmer http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...y_Code=Octopus its the octopus 200 how high should the sump water go up on it? i know my euro reef is 6 to 8 inchs. anyone know what it is for this skimmer? there website is not any help at all. __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 210 w/180 sump

01/14/2008, 03:13 AM	#2
TheGrog Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 753	I am not 100% on this brand, but it is very similiar to ASM and euroreef skimmers. I think they are set at the same depth. I would set it so the top of the intake gasket is covered (usually 6-8") Hope this helps. __________________ When in doubt.....add more beer...then try duct tape Current Tank Info: 120G Reef with Ecotech Radion LEDs, 2xMP40

01/14/2008, 06:13 AM	#3
sytanek Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Deltona, Florida Posts: 1,956	I do my octopus to the top of the union, I just start there and adjust for how wet I want the skimmate. Not sure on height, exactly, because I believe the 200 is taller than the other ones. __________________ I hate sea cucumbers. Current Tank Info: 92g Corner!

01/14/2008, 07:35 AM	#4
lifesworksataol Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sanford Posts: 2,778	its huge! i get alot of skim but it never makes it to the cup. it just clings to the inside wall of the tube and the adjuster cant go any higher. i have the water at 8 or 9 inches already. thank you guys for your help __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 210 w/180 sump Last edited by lifesworksataol; 01/14/2008 at 07:52 AM.

01/14/2008, 11:37 AM	#5
AJ69 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Clermont, FL Posts: 2,116	mine is the 150 and always try to keep it at 6-8" depth __________________ "Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles ..." - Hunter S. Thompson "Better to fight for something than live for nothing" - G. Patton Current Tank Info: rimless cube

01/14/2008, 12:06 PM	#6
markandkristen Moved On Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Winterhaven, fl Posts: 4,081	can you put a gatevalve mod on it?

01/14/2008, 01:49 PM	#7
lusenut2 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ocoee, Fl Posts: 1,580	Call skippy he has the same skimmer. He would know.

01/14/2008, 02:05 PM	#8
dugg Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 3,807	I have my NW-150 modded with a gate valve. It sits in from 8 to 11 inches of water, depending on if i remember to fill my topoff water. It doesn't effect the skimmer when the level drops to 8 inches at all. My internal water level doesn't depend on the outside level with the gate valve. I never used it with the stock riser pipe, so i don't know how the internal water level acts when using the stock pipe as opposed to the gate valve. __________________ What happens if you get scared half to death, twice? Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef with tek-T5 lights, sealife systems skimmer in 30 gal. sump. 70g Oceanic Tech, 30 gallon sump/refugium,1 250 watt 14k metal halide, 2 65watt PC actinic, Octopus NW-150 Protien Skimmer

01/14/2008, 08:09 PM	#9
lifesworksataol Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sanford Posts: 2,778	do they have a gate valve setup for sale anywhere? i need to call skippy! i just never remember to call him when he is home __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 210 w/180 sump

01/14/2008, 09:00 PM	#10
jade2122 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 922	once you get it going you will have to let me know how good the skimmer is, that is one of the ones i was thinking about getting. best of luck

01/14/2008, 09:07 PM	#11
lifesworksataol Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sanford Posts: 2,778	thanks - iam going to try that gate mod. that is the same mod i never did on my euro reef that i always wanted to do. __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 210 w/180 sump

01/14/2008, 09:59 PM	#12
dugg Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 3,807	My mod is just 1 1/2 inch pvc. I have a straight 1 1/2" coupling slid over the original riser tube. When the center part of the coupling hits the o'ring, it seals up snug. Then just plumb it from there. No glue or cutting on the skimmer is needed. __________________ What happens if you get scared half to death, twice? Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef with tek-T5 lights, sealife systems skimmer in 30 gal. sump. 70g Oceanic Tech, 30 gallon sump/refugium,1 250 watt 14k metal halide, 2 65watt PC actinic, Octopus NW-150 Protien Skimmer

01/14/2008, 10:19 PM	#13
dugg Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 3,807	Here is mine. I haven't taken it back apart to make it all final yet, but it works fine. The other plumbing in the background is the 2" drain from the tank, and the bypass for the return, and DIY phosban reactor. __________________ What happens if you get scared half to death, twice? Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef with tek-T5 lights, sealife systems skimmer in 30 gal. sump. 70g Oceanic Tech, 30 gallon sump/refugium,1 250 watt 14k metal halide, 2 65watt PC actinic, Octopus NW-150 Protien Skimmer

01/15/2008, 07:17 AM	#14
lifesworksataol Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sanford Posts: 2,778	thanks - thats project 1 for today (if i dont end up working) is that a wrasse by your dump out? why do you have your up pipe on your skimmer going out and over? dont people usually just go up with it? just wondering if you found a cool better way or something __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 210 w/180 sump

01/15/2008, 07:49 AM	#15
thor32766 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chuluota, FL Posts: 6,072	actually i would say thats a skunk clown. __________________ "Live your life so no one has to lie about who you were at your funeral" click on my red house to see my tang compound! Current Tank Info: 29 gallon in Wall!

01/15/2008, 09:20 AM	#16
lifesworksataol Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sanford Posts: 2,778	well i like your old avatar better! my monitor sucks, but it looks to long to be a clown. drum roll.... __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 210 w/180 sump

01/15/2008, 10:23 AM	#17
dugg Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 3,807	It's a pink skunk clown that was picking at my new black clowns. The up pipe on my skimmer is just like that because i was testing it out, and didn't have any more straight PVC lol. I still need to go to lowes and get some more PVC and re do everything. The 90's on the up pipe are actually a problem. They cause a kind of surge in the flow if the water level reaches the bend. __________________ What happens if you get scared half to death, twice? Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef with tek-T5 lights, sealife systems skimmer in 30 gal. sump. 70g Oceanic Tech, 30 gallon sump/refugium,1 250 watt 14k metal halide, 2 65watt PC actinic, Octopus NW-150 Protien Skimmer

01/15/2008, 10:27 AM	#18
lifesworksataol Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sanford Posts: 2,778	dang i was wrong. give it up for thor! where can you get the black pvc pipes? __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 210 w/180 sump

01/15/2008, 03:15 PM	#19
sytanek Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Deltona, Florida Posts: 1,956	This is what the official gate valve mod looks like, its a small pic, but you can get the idea. With my DIY skimmer, I didn't have a T I just used a 90 and then to a gate valve, and it works fine. __________________ I hate sea cucumbers. Current Tank Info: 92g Corner!

01/15/2008, 04:47 PM	#20
dugg Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 3,807	Here, i fixed it lol. I just noticed a huge type-0 in my first post. The skimmer parts are 1 1/4 inch PVC not 1 1/2. There is no need to cut off the original riser pipe IMO. The 1 1/4 coupler slips on there pretty snug. As long as it is an in sump installation it will be fine. No need in destroying the skimmer, you may want to sell it and keep your gate valve one day. __________________ What happens if you get scared half to death, twice? Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef with tek-T5 lights, sealife systems skimmer in 30 gal. sump. 70g Oceanic Tech, 30 gallon sump/refugium,1 250 watt 14k metal halide, 2 65watt PC actinic, Octopus NW-150 Protien Skimmer

01/15/2008, 04:48 PM	#21
lifesworksataol Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sanford Posts: 2,778	very cool thanks man! - you dont know where i could find the black pvc do you? __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 210 w/180 sump

01/15/2008, 04:51 PM	#22
dugg Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 3,807	Why black PVC? If it's a looks issue, paint it with black krylon fussion paint. It is reef safe paint and way cheaper than black pvc i bet. __________________ What happens if you get scared half to death, twice? Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef with tek-T5 lights, sealife systems skimmer in 30 gal. sump. 70g Oceanic Tech, 30 gallon sump/refugium,1 250 watt 14k metal halide, 2 65watt PC actinic, Octopus NW-150 Protien Skimmer

01/15/2008, 08:19 PM	#23
lifesworksataol Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sanford Posts: 2,778	it will rub off or make the pipe bigger wont it? for sliding it out later. i also seen it on someone elses system and it was awesome looking. __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 210 w/180 sump

01/15/2008, 08:59 PM	#24
dugg Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 3,807	Not positive, but i think you can get the black pvc at koi pond stores. __________________ What happens if you get scared half to death, twice? Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef with tek-T5 lights, sealife systems skimmer in 30 gal. sump. 70g Oceanic Tech, 30 gallon sump/refugium,1 250 watt 14k metal halide, 2 65watt PC actinic, Octopus NW-150 Protien Skimmer