Octopus Skimmer Specs

Wade@LSTD · 02/23/2008, 05:56 PM

Does anyone know what size the barb fitting on the input of the Octopus EXT PS150 is? Also what size is that PVC on the output? You would think Coralvue or one of the many distributors would post basics like input and output sizing. Also I understand that you need a feed pump that is 1.5-2 times your tank volume. My tank is 75 gallon w/20 gallon sump. I need to route the output of the skimmer to the opposite end of the sump from where the skimmer will sit, about 3 feet. David at Coralvue recommended a 300-400gph feedpump with ball valve to reduce flow if need be. This seems a bit much to me. Any thoughts? I was thinking of a mag 2 (250gph@1') but he is recommending something on the order of a mag 3 (350gph@1'). Anyone have pics of their PS150 setup for a reference. Are the input and output sizing the same for the 150 and 200?
Thanks

Wade@LSTD · 02/24/2008, 08:27 PM

bump

bdare · 02/29/2008, 10:03 AM

I can't speak to the 150, but I just hooked up a 120. According the the manufacturer it's the same skimmer but with a smaller reaction chamber. The output on mine is 1" PVC and for the input I used 5/8" soft tubing, but the adapter that it comes with allows it to be hard or soft plummbed.

seattownreefer · 02/29/2008, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wade@LSTD
Does anyone know what size the barb fitting on the input of the Octopus EXT PS150 is? Also what size is that PVC on the output? You would think Coralvue or one of the many distributors would post basics like input and output sizing. Also I understand that you need a feed pump that is 1.5-2 times your tank volume. My tank is 75 gallon w/20 gallon sump. I need to route the output of the skimmer to the opposite end of the sump from where the skimmer will sit, about 3 feet. David at Coralvue recommended a 300-400gph feedpump with ball valve to reduce flow if need be. This seems a bit much to me. Any thoughts? I was thinking of a mag 2 (250gph@1') but he is recommending something on the order of a mag 3 (350gph@1'). Anyone have pics of their PS150 setup for a reference. Are the input and output sizing the same for the 150 and 200?
Thanks

i have the ext ps 150. been running for about 3 months now.

as for your questions its a 5/8 tubing for the input and 1" american pvc. there is an adapter for the output that you use.

as for the feeder pump, i used an eheim 1240, the one that pumps around 300gph

heres some pics
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/...t=32045&page=7
apollo

seattownreefer · 02/29/2008, 03:10 PM

sorri, its 1 1/4 output

Wade@LSTD · 02/29/2008, 09:44 PM

Thanks for the replys, I ordered one last week and it got here today.

Seattownreefer: What do you think of the performance after 3 months? Also, I noticed that the clear washer that goes between the pump and venturi pipe covers half of the small hole. Is this right and did you hook it up that way or did you do something different. I was thinking about wraping teflon tape on the threads and not using the washer in hopes that it wouldn't leak but it would maximize air flow. On that link you sent me a guy did an air mod on a PS 150 Int, so surely covering this hole just a little can't help the performance.

kaiser · 02/29/2008, 10:30 PM

I just went to Lowes today to get another rubber o-ring for that. 1 3/16" outer and 15/16" inner diameter supposed to work better. for more mods go to http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1

Wade@LSTD · 03/01/2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kaiser
I just went to Lowes today to get another rubber o-ring for that. 1 3/16" outer and 15/16" inner diameter supposed to work better. for more mods go to http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1

Thanks Kaiser! I didn't think that looked right. I hope the skimmer works well, I have had a PM vneturi skimmer forever and it was good but never great. I think it was a little undersized for the tank. I will hit Lowes this morning.

kaiser · 03/01/2008, 10:36 AM

Well, I tried the o-ring this morning and it is way too big. I Just left the o-ring out all together, but I got the INT PS150, so leaking really isn't a factor.

Wade@LSTD · 03/01/2008, 05:16 PM

Kaiser,
Try the #14 o-rings from Loews, they are 15/16OD x 3/4ID. I have not hooked water up to the skimmer yet but it looks like the o-ring is a perfect fit and it doesn't cover the hole much at all. Keep me informed about the skimmers performance. Also there is a guy on Reef Frontiers that moded the venturi on a PS 150 to get 550-600lph of air.

kaiser · 03/01/2008, 05:38 PM

Thanks for the #14 tip, I think my next mod is going to be the gate valve mod. This sliding tube thing is a joke.

Wade@LSTD · 03/03/2008, 06:16 PM

Well the o-ring was a perfect fit no leaks, the skimmer is up and running for the past 3 hours and it is pulling foam nicely. I was a little worried becuase I read about these skimmers taking a week to break in but mine is pulling green tea skim that is a little wet but I am sure as it breaks in it will produce dry skim. I have a gate valve on my system already but I am not using it on the Octo until I get rid of my PM skimmer. I reduced the output from 1 1/4 to 1" barb so I could use vinyl 1" tubing back to my sump. I may not need the gate valve since it already has some back pressure from the reduction. I have both the PM and Octopus running at the same time and the Octo is killing the PM so I am satified witht hte Octo as long as the crappy pump holds up! Let me know how yours is doing.
Wade

kaiser · 03/06/2008, 08:38 PM

Ok, 6 days into this thing and it's getting better by the day. Don't know what happened last night, but I checked the cup last night and it was about a 3rd full, so I did not worry about it, this morning it was full of green tea, dumped it out cleaned it and now I've got good thick skimmate.

Wade@LSTD · 03/07/2008, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kaiser
Ok, 6 days into this thing and it's getting better by the day. Don't know what happened last night, but I checked the cup last night and it was about a 3rd full, so I did not worry about it, this morning it was full of green tea, dumped it out cleaned it and now I've got good thick skimmate.

Where are you running your water level? I run mine up to the point where it starts to taper, the foam just hovers about 3/4 the way up the neck. Anytime I try to raise the foamhead it falls apart and the skimmer goes back to bublling with no head until I clean the damn thing. Unlike you I am less pleased with this thing as time passes. My PM skimmer just keeps on plugging, always putting out a consistent head of foam albeit at a much slower pace. It has been only 5 days but I am getting tired of this skimmer in a hurry.

kaiser · 03/07/2008, 07:46 AM

I am running my waterlevel lower than that. I am wondering if part of your problem is the fact that you are running 2 skimmers, maybe you should just unplug the old skimmer for a day and see what the new one does. Also the reduction to 1" vinyl tubing may keep your water level up too high. BTW, my old skimmer was a Red Sea Berlin with a Mag 7 directly screwed into the skimmer, it worked, but needed constant adjustments.

Wade@LSTD · 03/07/2008, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kaiser
I am running my waterlevel lower than that. I am wondering if part of your problem is the fact that you are running 2 skimmers, maybe you should just unplug the old skimmer for a day and see what the new one does. Also the reduction to 1" vinyl tubing may keep your water level up too high. BTW, my old skimmer was a Red Sea Berlin with a Mag 7 directly screwed into the skimmer, it worked, but needed constant adjustments.

Yeah, I am heading out to the plumbing supply to see if I can get a slip gate valve and try running the output 11/4 all the way out. If I run a Maxijet 600 the water level is too low and I need to turn that output pipe to raise it up. If I run the MaxiJet 1200 the water level is a little too high and I need to reduce the input with a ball valve to lower it. How far down is your water level from where it starts to taper?

kaiser · 03/07/2008, 09:25 AM

Well a picture is worth a thousand words. Here you go

bjlled · 03/07/2008, 12:07 PM

Looking at all the pictures of the Octopus Extreme skimmers, I do not see a drain fitting on the collection cup. Is there one?

Also... How much more height is required to remove the collection cup?

Thanks.

Wade@LSTD · 03/07/2008, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bjlled
Looking at all the pictures of the Octopus Extreme skimmers, I do not see a drain fitting on the collection cup. Is there one?

Also... How much more height is required to remove the collection cup?

Thanks.

I don't think the in sump skimmers have a collection cup, my externel does. I think all you need is about 3/4 of an inch above the skimmer to remove the cup.

Wade@LSTD · 03/07/2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kaiser
Well a picture is worth a thousand words. Here you go

Yeah in this case not. I can't see where the water line is on the picture. I ran my output 1 1/4 all the way out and there is no way it could not flow anymore. With the MJ1200 the water line is about 1/8 - 1/4 below where the taper starts. We will see!

bjlled · 03/07/2008, 12:30 PM

I still do not see a drain fitting on the collection cup.

kaiser · 03/07/2008, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bjlled
Looking at all the pictures of the Octopus Extreme skimmers, I do not see a drain fitting on the collection cup. Is there one?

Also... How much more height is required to remove the collection cup?

Thanks.

It does not have a drain fitting on the collection cup. It only takes about 1/2" to remove the cup.

kaiser · 03/07/2008, 01:30 PM

Wade take another look at the picture.

Wade@LSTD · 03/07/2008, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kaiser
Wade take another look at the picture.

[IMG]
Are you sure that is the water line and not just the top of the bubble plate? If you look at my picture the Tee on the output dictates how high the water will be in the skimmer. My index finger is pointing at the midway point on the output and my middle finer is the water level height. The water level is where the small bubbles start turning into bigger bubbles. If you were to turn off the skimmer pump off how high would the water sit in the skimmer? When I turn off the skimmer pump the water level is about 3/4 of an inch lower than my middle finger. All the talk I have seen is that the water level is about or just below the taper.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...0273Skim25.jpg [/IMG]

Wade@LSTD · 03/07/2008, 07:20 PM

Sorry let me try again!

Are you sure that is the water line and not just the top of the bubble plate? If you look at my picture the Tee on the output dictates how high the water will be in the skimmer. My index finger is pointing at the midway point on the output and my middle finer is the water level height. The water level is where the small bubbles start turning into bigger bubbles. If you were to turn off the skimmer pump off how high would the water sit in the skimmer? When I turn off the skimmer pump the water level is about 3/4 of an inch lower than my middle finger. All the talk I have seen is that the water level is about or just below the taper.

02/29/2008, 10:03 AM	#3
bdare Salty Dude Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rockwall, TX Posts: 1,322 Blog Entries: 3	I can't speak to the 150, but I just hooked up a 120. According the the manufacturer it's the same skimmer but with a smaller reaction chamber. The output on mine is 1" PVC and for the input I used 5/8" soft tubing, but the adapter that it comes with allows it to be hard or soft plummbed. __________________ 220 Mixed Reef GeoCaRx, GHL Profilux 4, Octopus Skimmer, Kessil 360X 2 x Maxspect Gyre XF350 Last edited by bdare; 02/29/2008 at 10:19 AM.

02/23/2008, 05:56 PM	#1
Wade@LSTD Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 16	Octopus Skimmer Specs Does anyone know what size the barb fitting on the input of the Octopus EXT PS150 is? Also what size is that PVC on the output? You would think Coralvue or one of the many distributors would post basics like input and output sizing. Also I understand that you need a feed pump that is 1.5-2 times your tank volume. My tank is 75 gallon w/20 gallon sump. I need to route the output of the skimmer to the opposite end of the sump from where the skimmer will sit, about 3 feet. David at Coralvue recommended a 300-400gph feedpump with ball valve to reduce flow if need be. This seems a bit much to me. Any thoughts? I was thinking of a mag 2 (250gph@1') but he is recommending something on the order of a mag 3 (350gph@1'). Anyone have pics of their PS150 setup for a reference. Are the input and output sizing the same for the 150 and 200? Thanks

02/24/2008, 08:27 PM	#2
Wade@LSTD Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 16	bump

02/29/2008, 03:10 PM	#5
seattownreefer Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: seattle Posts: 121	sorri, its 1 1/4 output

02/29/2008, 09:44 PM	#6
Wade@LSTD Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 16	Thanks for the replys, I ordered one last week and it got here today. Seattownreefer: What do you think of the performance after 3 months? Also, I noticed that the clear washer that goes between the pump and venturi pipe covers half of the small hole. Is this right and did you hook it up that way or did you do something different. I was thinking about wraping teflon tape on the threads and not using the washer in hopes that it wouldn't leak but it would maximize air flow. On that link you sent me a guy did an air mod on a PS 150 Int, so surely covering this hole just a little can't help the performance.

02/29/2008, 10:30 PM	#7
kaiser Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Cibolo, TX Posts: 150	I just went to Lowes today to get another rubber o-ring for that. 1 3/16" outer and 15/16" inner diameter supposed to work better. for more mods go to http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1

03/01/2008, 10:36 AM	#9
kaiser Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Cibolo, TX Posts: 150	Well, I tried the o-ring this morning and it is way too big. I Just left the o-ring out all together, but I got the INT PS150, so leaking really isn't a factor.

03/01/2008, 05:16 PM	#10
Wade@LSTD Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 16	Kaiser, Try the #14 o-rings from Loews, they are 15/16OD x 3/4ID. I have not hooked water up to the skimmer yet but it looks like the o-ring is a perfect fit and it doesn't cover the hole much at all. Keep me informed about the skimmers performance. Also there is a guy on Reef Frontiers that moded the venturi on a PS 150 to get 550-600lph of air.

03/01/2008, 05:38 PM	#11
kaiser Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Cibolo, TX Posts: 150	Thanks for the #14 tip, I think my next mod is going to be the gate valve mod. This sliding tube thing is a joke.

03/03/2008, 06:16 PM	#12
Wade@LSTD Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 16	Well the o-ring was a perfect fit no leaks, the skimmer is up and running for the past 3 hours and it is pulling foam nicely. I was a little worried becuase I read about these skimmers taking a week to break in but mine is pulling green tea skim that is a little wet but I am sure as it breaks in it will produce dry skim. I have a gate valve on my system already but I am not using it on the Octo until I get rid of my PM skimmer. I reduced the output from 1 1/4 to 1" barb so I could use vinyl 1" tubing back to my sump. I may not need the gate valve since it already has some back pressure from the reduction. I have both the PM and Octopus running at the same time and the Octo is killing the PM so I am satified witht hte Octo as long as the crappy pump holds up! Let me know how yours is doing. Wade

03/06/2008, 08:38 PM	#13
kaiser Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Cibolo, TX Posts: 150	Ok, 6 days into this thing and it's getting better by the day. Don't know what happened last night, but I checked the cup last night and it was about a 3rd full, so I did not worry about it, this morning it was full of green tea, dumped it out cleaned it and now I've got good thick skimmate.

03/07/2008, 07:46 AM	#15
kaiser Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Cibolo, TX Posts: 150	I am running my waterlevel lower than that. I am wondering if part of your problem is the fact that you are running 2 skimmers, maybe you should just unplug the old skimmer for a day and see what the new one does. Also the reduction to 1" vinyl tubing may keep your water level up too high. BTW, my old skimmer was a Red Sea Berlin with a Mag 7 directly screwed into the skimmer, it worked, but needed constant adjustments.

03/07/2008, 09:25 AM	#17
kaiser Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Cibolo, TX Posts: 150	Well a picture is worth a thousand words. Here you go

03/07/2008, 12:07 PM	#18
bjlled Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 14	Looking at all the pictures of the Octopus Extreme skimmers, I do not see a drain fitting on the collection cup. Is there one? Also... How much more height is required to remove the collection cup? Thanks.

03/07/2008, 12:30 PM	#21
bjlled Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 14	I still do not see a drain fitting on the collection cup.

03/07/2008, 01:30 PM	#23
kaiser Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Cibolo, TX Posts: 150	Wade take another look at the picture.

03/07/2008, 07:20 PM	#25
Wade@LSTD Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 16	Sorry let me try again! Are you sure that is the water line and not just the top of the bubble plate? If you look at my picture the Tee on the output dictates how high the water will be in the skimmer. My index finger is pointing at the midway point on the output and my middle finer is the water level height. The water level is where the small bubbles start turning into bigger bubbles. If you were to turn off the skimmer pump off how high would the water sit in the skimmer? When I turn off the skimmer pump the water level is about 3/4 of an inch lower than my middle finger. All the talk I have seen is that the water level is about or just below the taper.