LukasEragon
Community Member
I have a Reef Octo 200EXT Protein Skimmer[1] which is a "recirculating" or "external" design which needs to be fed by a dedicated water flow. Some people use their return manifold to provide this feed or use a dedicated feed pump. It can be used either inside or outside the sump due to the design, but due to space I have to have it installed inside the sump.
This skimmer comes from the factor packaged with a VarioS-4 pump for its recirculating pump so I picked up a second VarioS-4 pump[2] for the feed pump. Now that I'm using it, I am finding that this is TOO much GPH for the feed flow.
VarioS-4 pump - Max GPH = 1050
I spoke with Octo and they said the suggested feed rate for the 200EXT Skimmer is from 600 to 1000GPH.
But even with the VarioS-4 Pump at it's LOWEST setting (5 settings on the controller) the water level INSIDE in the body of skimmer is way too high which causes it to overflow.
Another detail Octo shared with me was that they recommended the skimmer sit in 8-9in water height. In my sump the water level is 7.75in height.
To keep the setup matching....I consider using the next sized down VarioS-2 pump[3] but this has a max flow rating of like 800GPH which isn't much of a difference from the current VarioS-4. I worry that I'll have a similar issue if using the VarioS-2 pump as well.
So I'm looking for suggestions on possible alternatives to the feed pump. I would rather use a DC pump which has controllable flow rates rather than using a valve to control the flowrate. Thanks!
[1] Reef Octo 200EXT Protein Skimmer
www.bulkreefsupply.com
[2] VarioS-4 Pump
www.bulkreefsupply.com
[3] VarioS-2 Pump
www.bulkreefsupply.com
This skimmer comes from the factor packaged with a VarioS-4 pump for its recirculating pump so I picked up a second VarioS-4 pump[2] for the feed pump. Now that I'm using it, I am finding that this is TOO much GPH for the feed flow.
VarioS-4 pump - Max GPH = 1050
I spoke with Octo and they said the suggested feed rate for the 200EXT Skimmer is from 600 to 1000GPH.
But even with the VarioS-4 Pump at it's LOWEST setting (5 settings on the controller) the water level INSIDE in the body of skimmer is way too high which causes it to overflow.
Another detail Octo shared with me was that they recommended the skimmer sit in 8-9in water height. In my sump the water level is 7.75in height.
To keep the setup matching....I consider using the next sized down VarioS-2 pump[3] but this has a max flow rating of like 800GPH which isn't much of a difference from the current VarioS-4. I worry that I'll have a similar issue if using the VarioS-2 pump as well.
So I'm looking for suggestions on possible alternatives to the feed pump. I would rather use a DC pump which has controllable flow rates rather than using a valve to control the flowrate. Thanks!
[1] Reef Octo 200EXT Protein Skimmer
Regal 200EXT 8" Recirculating Protein Skimmer (VarioS)
BRS Recommended for tanks up to: Heavy Bioload (Most Common) - 175 Gallons Medium Bioload - 250 Gallons Light Bioload - 400 gallons Reef Octopus Recirculating 8" Protein Skimmer from Reef Octopus - with a controllable VarioS DC pumps to process more or less water, depending on your aquariums...
www.bulkreefsupply.com
[2] VarioS-4 Pump
VarioS-4 Controllable DC Pump (1050 GPH)
Reef Octopus VarioS DC pumps give you enhanced performance and precise control of flow through your aquarium's reactors, sump, or closed-loop system. With complete control through the VarioS Controller, you can control the flow of the pump, enter feed modes (15 or 60 minutes), add a safety float...
www.bulkreefsupply.com
[3] VarioS-2 Pump
VarioS-2 Controllable DC Pump (792 GPH)
Reef Octopus VarioS DC pumps give you enhanced performance and precise control of flow through your aquarium's reactors, sump, or closed-loop system. With complete control through the VarioS Controller, you can control the flow of the pump, enter feed modes (15 or 60 minutes), add a safety float...
www.bulkreefsupply.com
