Help tuning Reef Octopus Regal 200-INT

[wrbtanis]

Hello Everyone,

For the last few weeks I have been trying to get my protien skimmer tuned and I just can't seem to get it to the point where it is actually pulling anything. I've got the pump set at 3/5 and the gate valve is completely open at the moment. I keep getting crap building up in the body of the skimmer but it never makes it to the cup. I litteraly just cleaned the thing on this Thursday and there is already crap on the side again. The skimmer is sitting at about 8inches. Do I just need to crank the pump up more or start closing the valve? Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[fishface NJ]

How many fish, feedings, and tank size?

 

[wrbtanis]

130g, 8 fish, 2 cubes a day with some reef roids a few times a week.

 

[fishface NJ]

These are the spec for your Regal. Your tank is 130g. You don't have enough organics to cause a dark skim​

​

Description​

Regal 200INT Protein Skimmer

Footprint: 14.6″ x 9.8″ | Reaction Chamber: 8″ | Height: 23.4″
Powered by: Reef Octopus 24V VarioS-4S Controllable Pinwheel Pump
Controller Features: multiple pause times, float switch safety and 0-10v input for 3rd party controller

BIOLOAD HANDLING

HEAVY---------200gallons
MEDIUM------300gallons
LIGHT----------400gallons

 

[wrbtanis]

So that will be a fun conversation with the lfs. Thanks for the quick reply.

 

[fishface NJ]

How long has this tank been running?
How long has the skimmer been running?

 

[wrbtanis]

About a year. I had one of the red sea protein skimmers but had nothing but issues with the redsea app so I swapped it out with this one that the lfs said would be perfect for my tank. Shows me for trusting a new store. I've mostly had nano tanks up untill this one and it has been one headache after another with this tank.

 

[wrbtanis]

I've got a spare ai prime 16 and will run and grab some cheato tomorrow. That will probably do a better job than this skimmer.

 

[Tangdora]

You have enough organic based on your foam color and the sludge on your body neck. The gate valve is not suppose to be fully open. Leave on 3 then closed the valve till the water level (not the foam level) is level with the top of the body neck . If your cup begins overflow rapidly. Slow up the valve making halve turns every minute till it stabilizes. If it does not overflow leave as is for a day. If it does not begin to collect then turn it a quarter turn close and then give it a few hours. Continue to close in 1/4 increments till the foam is capable of pulsating up to the lid.

 

[wrbtanis]

You have enough organic based on your foam color and the sludge on your body neck. The gate valve is not suppose to be fully open. Leave on 3 then closed the valve till the water level (not the foam level) is level with the top of the body neck . If your cup begins overflow rapidly. Slow up the valve making halve turns every minute till it stabilizes. If it does not overflow leave as is for a day. If it does not begin to collect then turn it a quarter turn close and then give it a few hours. Continue to close in 1/4 increments till the foam is capable of pulsating up to the lid.

Okay so dumb question. How do I tell where the water level is I can't see anything through all the foam and bubbles

 

[Tangdora]

Okay so dumb question. How do I tell where the water level is I can't see anything through all the foam and bubbles

to an untrained eye. Turning off the room light and using a small flash light or your phone camera will reveal it if you hold it from behind. The light will shine though the water easier then the foam.

One other note if you can’t get your water level to at least the neck without the cup erupting. Then take your varios setting down to 2.

 

[wrbtanis]

Thank you, I will give that a try

 

[wrbtanis]

OK so I ended up dropping the pump down to 2. I'll leave it like this for a while and report back.

 

[The Wannabe Reefer]

I have the same skimmer, the only two times it did not perform were due to junk in the impeller. Larger particles did not make it to the cup. The foam was translucent, not dense, and it even affected my PH.
I suggest you take it apart and clean the impeller. I run mine at 3/5 in my 230g works great.

 

[Tangdora]

OK so I ended up dropping the pump down to 2. I'll leave it like this for a while and report back.

That type of bubbling in the cup is exactly what you wanna see