Reef Octopus Classic 200-INT - help dialing it in

Olathereefer · 05/15/2017, 02:46 PM

I have been running this skimmer now for about 7-8 weeks and I am having a hard time getting it dialed in now. I have the water valve level as high as I can but I am not getting much in the collection cup. I am getting good bubbles and I see the water bubbling in the neck of the skimmer a couple inches from the top but it's just not making it into the collection cup. The neck is nasty brown even a few days after I clean it so I know there is waste that should be getting into the collection cup. The skimmer is sitting in 8.5" to 9" of water in the sump. I have tried turning it down with no luck and now have it turned all the way up and still not much. Any help is appreciated.

A sea K · 05/16/2017, 04:42 AM

How large, how new, and how heavily stocked is the system. This situation could be as simple as a new tank with low or no organics to skim.

Olathereefer · 05/16/2017, 05:11 PM

The tank is 150g. I would say it's mid to high when it comes to being stocked and it's been up and running since mid February.

A sea K · 05/17/2017, 04:10 AM

Yes, it should be producing as this skimmer does a pretty good job and carries good reviews from users. You said in your 1st post that you have already turned the valve down, did you turn it all the way (clockwise)? This would close off the output from the skimmer and make it actually overflow, if this is not happening then something is set-up or assembled wrong.

Olathereefer · 05/17/2017, 04:50 PM

Yes, I turned the valve clockwise all the way as well. When doing so, the water rises pretty high in the neck of the skimmer but does not over flow into the collection cup. I took the valve off today to clean and inspect it. I noticed that when it is turned all the way clockwise (closed position), the valve does not completely shut and there is still a gap for water the get through which may explain why it does not over flow into the collection cup when completed turned clockwise. Not sure if that is normal for this skimmer or if it is defective. I reviewed the installation video again and mine is assembled just like the video.

BPReefer · 05/17/2017, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olathereefer

Yes, I turned the valve clockwise all the way as well. When doing so, the water rises pretty high in the neck of the skimmer but does not over flow into the collection cup. I took the valve off today to clean and inspect it. I noticed that when it is turned all the way clockwise (closed position), the valve does not completely shut and there is still a gap for water the get through which may explain why it does not over flow into the collection cup when completed turned clockwise. Not sure if that is normal for this skimmer or if it is defective. I reviewed the installation video again and mine is assembled just like the video.

I run the Reef Octopus 3000SSS, and the output gate valve does the same thing. It leaves a small opening for water to still flow through. I'm guessing this is intentional by the manufacturer.

05/15/2017, 02:46 PM	#1
Olathereefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 52	Reef Octopus Classic 200-INT - help dialing it in I have been running this skimmer now for about 7-8 weeks and I am having a hard time getting it dialed in now. I have the water valve level as high as I can but I am not getting much in the collection cup. I am getting good bubbles and I see the water bubbling in the neck of the skimmer a couple inches from the top but it's just not making it into the collection cup. The neck is nasty brown even a few days after I clean it so I know there is waste that should be getting into the collection cup. The skimmer is sitting in 8.5" to 9" of water in the sump. I have tried turning it down with no luck and now have it turned all the way up and still not much. Any help is appreciated.

05/16/2017, 04:42 AM	#2
A sea K Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Branford Fl Posts: 3,024	How large, how new, and how heavily stocked is the system. This situation could be as simple as a new tank with low or no organics to skim. __________________ I am not a pro so excuse me if I'm wrong. Current Tank Info: 30gal Deep Blue rimless 9/10/2014, 80gal Deep Blue rimless 40gal sump/refugium 9/11/16 LPS reef, 2 x Kessil A160 with a single Maxspect Razor, RO Prime 150INT skimmer, Sicce 3 return pump, Vortech MP40 and MP10

05/17/2017, 04:10 AM	#4
A sea K Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Branford Fl Posts: 3,024	Yes, it should be producing as this skimmer does a pretty good job and carries good reviews from users. You said in your 1st post that you have already turned the valve down, did you turn it all the way (clockwise)? This would close off the output from the skimmer and make it actually overflow, if this is not happening then something is set-up or assembled wrong. __________________ I am not a pro so excuse me if I'm wrong. Current Tank Info: 30gal Deep Blue rimless 9/10/2014, 80gal Deep Blue rimless 40gal sump/refugium 9/11/16 LPS reef, 2 x Kessil A160 with a single Maxspect Razor, RO Prime 150INT skimmer, Sicce 3 return pump, Vortech MP40 and MP10

05/16/2017, 05:11 PM	#3
Olathereefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 52	The tank is 150g. I would say it's mid to high when it comes to being stocked and it's been up and running since mid February.

05/17/2017, 04:50 PM	#5
Olathereefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 52	Yes, I turned the valve clockwise all the way as well. When doing so, the water rises pretty high in the neck of the skimmer but does not over flow into the collection cup. I took the valve off today to clean and inspect it. I noticed that when it is turned all the way clockwise (closed position), the valve does not completely shut and there is still a gap for water the get through which may explain why it does not over flow into the collection cup when completed turned clockwise. Not sure if that is normal for this skimmer or if it is defective. I reviewed the installation video again and mine is assembled just like the video.