Octopus HOB Skimmer BH-1000

[leoristo]

So I finally got this skimmer after researching on the best and affordable HOB skimmers. I had a sump once, now I don't have anymore so HOB is my only option.
I thought I'd start a thread about this skimmer as I didn't find much online.

The two page instruction manual is close to useless, translated from chinese or something... "When the bubbles coming out perfectly, replace the air valve by the
silencer."
BH-1000 instructions

I got it from Aquacave at ~$160. Comes with the OTP 1000 pump (1000 L/h = 263 G/h).

Here is what's in the box:



After the first assembly steps I soon realized (this confirmed what I read from other users) that the intake surface skimmer box was too low for my aquarium. The box slides nicely over the intake and it's adjustable to about +/- 1" but at the highest position was still too low.
Water level in the tank is kept at about 1.5" from rim.



And the teether sits at 2-3.5" deep.



So I had to cut some off. I actually ended up cutting twice the amount shown in this picture leaving only 2 grooves for the rubber gaskets.



...to be continued...

[Junyoungmin]

Its about time! i plan to purchase this skimmer for a new tank in about a month. ive been looking all over and have found no reviews or useful info on this skimmer. please let us know how it works out for you and all the details.
im guessing this will be going on your 55 fowler?

[leoristo]

It is for my 55 fowlr.

Here is the surface skimmer after cutting about 1" off the intake tube. Sits now nicely where I want it to be. And the very nice thing is that it's easily adjusted just by sliding it up and down (about 1" as I said before). This will be very useful for last minute adjustments.
Note: You can't pull it all the way up or the intake tube will touch the bottom of the little tethered box reducing the flow.
General comment on surface skimmers: the tether needs to be at the right height or it will either suck air in if too high or not skim the surface if too low.

[leoristo]

There are three connections that you need to make and all need a rubber gasket (provided). I hand tightened them gripping the ring with a towel quite tight. Don't mix the gaskets on the intake tube with the other white one provided as they are very similar in size.
Off to the first leak test. 5 gallon bucket of tap water sitting on 2x4s to lift the pump. I sat everything on a plastic container just in case. And it was a good idea since I forgot 2 seals and I had bad leaks!
To prime you have to fill the skimmer about 8" (according to instructions) then you block the venturi air intake or pinch tightly the tube and let run the pump for a few seconds until the water in the skimmer goes up to the return line and water starts coming out. At this point you let go the air line and bubbles start rising.





I noticed two problems at this point. First the pump was VERY noisy with the airline open, I am not referring to the airline intake noise which is barely noticeable especially if you add the provided silencer. I mean a noise coming right from the pump at the impeller area. And the second that the bubbles weren't looking right.. too big, fast and sparse.
Support told me that freshwater makes bubbles big and sparse (I learned something). So now I have to test with SW. I think at this point that the loud noise could be related to the big bubbles but I have not tested with SW yet.

to be continued...

[Junyoungmin]

well hopefully itll perform a lot better in saltwater. keep us updated on the performance.

[Fish_Freek]

I was just looking to buy this model. Glad i stumbled upon this post. Can you tell me the distance between the bottom of the intake (where it sits on the tank) and the top of the collection cut at its highest point? I'm building a new canopy for my 75g and need to know what clearance i need.

Thanks and let us know how it preforms in the SW.

[leoristo]

I dropped the intake tethered box from about 2 feet and two teeth broke off. Superglued them back on. Lesson learned, very fragile!

[Junyoungmin]

so have you tested it in your tank? im curious how well it skims.

[leoristo]

I hung it on the back of the tank. The bubbles are all right now. Millions the noise has dropped a lot but it's still too much and I had to turn it off for the night.







Another problem appeared, air is sucked in the return pipe to the aquarium and a lot of big bubbles are thrown in the tank.





I tried raising the skimmer so that the return sits half in half out of the water and this reduced the bubbles but not completely.

With the water level at 1.5" from the rim, the surface skimmer box still sits too low in my opinion. Also the box slides up and down very easily with the slightest pressure. I am not sure I like this but just a feeling. It does not move with the current.

[leoristo]

Sorry for the duplicate picture... the first was to show the bubbles in the chamber and the second to show the return drain.

[herozero]

Do you rely on the skimmer output to provide flow? It looks like you have some powerheads in there, try turning the output pipe 180 to face the tank glass. Bubbles should rise straight to the top.

[leoristo]

I contacted aquacave again and they suggested turning the skimmer side of the return facing down.

Unfortunately I ran out of time.... I am moving.

This skimmer will be up for sale soon together with everything else.

Someone else might pick this thread up and continue.

[herozero]

I hope to have a HB 800s in a few weeks time, i'll post it in this forum when the time comes.

[Falcao]

I have the 300, and no problems works great.

[herozero]

Falcao: would you mind taking some pictures of your skimmer gunk? Always a good barometer in my mind how a skimmer will perform. What kind of pump is on the 300?

[Falcao]

I just clean it out last night. I do not have a large bio load (four small fish and a couple of softies), but give me some time. I get you some pics.

[jmpreef]

Originally posted by leoristo
I contacted aquacave again and they suggested turning the skimmer side of the return facing down.

Unfortunately I ran out of time.... I am moving.

This skimmer will be up for sale soon together with everything else.

Someone else might pick this thread up and continue.

WELL........picking up where we left off, First thanks for the skimmer and quick ,safe delivery.

I have waited a week or so just to let everything stabilize. I will give more info soon. I have tried flipping the return 180 but that just lowers the water level and you end up with the same problem. I even tried to simulate a "floating" top to destoy the whirlpool effect but it really didn't work any better. The only real problem are the bubbles coming to the surface and popping. That creates salt creep.
It is pulling out some brown water. The collection cup height is contolled by a simple O-ring stretched around the cup. Finally, the modified surface skimmer input tube was required and perfectly executed by Leoristro. I am a happy customer! This is a good quality product.

[sharky_sa]

jmpreef: .. quick question, received my BH 1000 last night, when you add water to skimmer body (ie 8") to prime skimmer, is it additional/new water or some existing tank water as I do now want to add more capacity than my dt can accomodate during power failure .... also, if switch the pump off, assume NO water escapes via pump that is at bottom of Skimmer body ...... tks

P.S should have added that I have attached on OUTSIDE of my DT, not in dt like some other reefers in SA

[PRDubois]

Here is a pic of the Octo 800 skimming, it rocks!

[sharky_sa]

Paul, looks cool ... do u perhaps have an answer to my question above ... thanks

[sharky_sa]

with the BH1000, the bottom of the collection cup should be just above the "drain hole" in order for the water to flow into "return" chamber of the skimmer body .... right ?

[PRDubois]

I might have to be lower. Are you getting a very dry skim?

[sharky_sa]

Paul, still setting it up (just received) and prior to switching pump on I need to know .... how is your setup ?

[Falcao]

on my 300 the cup is covering the return hole. I think if it is not covered you will get bubbles in the return. I skim wet so the cup stays low. Sorry about getting the pics, I actual lost my camera for several weeks. Found it at my brother's last week.

[Reeferon]

Anyone else have positive experiences with these skimmers??