New Reef Octopus skimmer

Bootstrap · Dec 10, 2012

Hello all, I've got a brand new, reef octopus 4" skimmer. I have the gate valve set all the way open, to give it the lowest water level possible, but once or twice a day when I come check it, there is about 1/4" of nasty green water in the skimmer cup. My question, is this normal? even on the lowest setting for the skimmer to be skimming so wet? I could basically go 3-4 days before the skimmate was completely full of liquid. Skimmer is sitting in about 9-10" of water.

gmoney243 · Dec 10, 2012

What u want to do is turn the air to the lowest setting thata not completely closed and then adjust gate valve till u see bubbles a few inches below the skimmer cup let run for a week or so till it breaks in anf it will be skimming dark and dry. New skimmers can avoid most of the break in by giving them a vinegar bath running pumps and all to clean off oils and dirt. Skimmer will work much better.

Sent from my Vortex using Tapatalk 2

gmoney243 · Dec 10, 2012

You want more water than air. To much air causes a lot of overflows and wet skimmate. Should be just air to make it milky. Also more air seems to create bigger bubbles and smaller bubbles are best

Sent from my Vortex using Tapatalk 2

Bootstrap · Dec 10, 2012

I have the gate valve completely open, putting water level about 1.5" below collection cup. But i don't think i can adjust air at all

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD

kschweer · Dec 10, 2012

Is the output of the gate valve under water at all?

Bootstrap · Dec 10, 2012

Yes, but not submerged.

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD

Bootstrap · Dec 10, 2012

It sits exactly like in the picture

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD

Downbeach · Dec 10, 2012

According to this, it should be sitting in about 6" to 7 1/2" of water.

kschweer · Dec 10, 2012

Downbeach said:
According to this, it should be sitting in about 6" to 7 1/2" of water.

+1. Mine sits in 7.5" of water and runs great. Make sure that the gate valve is not under water as it can cause back pressure not allowing water to flow out as it should. Try using some eggcrate to raise your skimmer up and see if it helps. Also if it is brand new, some "break in" time is expected.

Bootstrap · Dec 10, 2012

kschweer said:
+1. Mine sits in 7.5" of water and runs great. Make sure that the gate valve is not under water as it can cause back pressure not allowing water to flow out as it should. Try using some eggcrate to raise your skimmer up and see if it helps. Also if it is brand new, some "break in" time is expected.

Thank you for finding that. The manual that came with the skimmer stated anywhere from 6 to 10 inches was acceptable as long as the return was not submerge. I am already on about 3 and a half inches of egg crate I guess I will make more.

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD