Reef Octopus Low Wattage

shanedag · Feb 26, 2021

I have a Reef Octopus 200-S hooked up to Neptune Apex. It's been running since November 2020. I have the controller set to run on max and up until January it recorded a very steady 40 watts in Apex. One day in Jan that dropped to 25 watts and has stayed at that level ever since. Visually, it also looks like the bubbles aren't as aggressive. Tried plugging into wall directly with no visual change in bubbles. Disconnected air tubes and ensured no blockage there. Any suggestions on why the watts dropped and anything I could do to try and get it running where it was originally? I've submitted a ticket to Coralvue. They've asked if I can ship back to be diagnosed. Before I do that, just looking for any other next steps as I'm now dosing with Nopox and don't want to be without my skimmer.

Thanks!

TexanCanuck · Mar 1, 2021

I don't have any good insights for you, but are you sure you're not trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist?

Two thoughts go through my mind:

1) maybe this is just a fluke in the way the Apex measures and reports the power consumption, and there isn't anything wrong with your skimmer pump at all?

2) since that is an AC pump, the power consumption is a function of the overall power factor/impedence and reluctance of the motor ... so maybe this represents a a winding or two that have shorted out in the motor ... but if the pump is still spinning at the same speed does it matter?

Anyway, my point is that before you spend a bunch of time/money fixing the problem, it might make sense to make sure this is a problem that is actually affecting your unit's performance.

Other than a subjective assessment that the bubbles don't look the same, have you noticed the skimmer pulling out less skimmate?

If it ain't broke ...

DCR · Mar 1, 2021

Something has likely caused it to draw more air and less water, which will reduce the power. Something like a change in the water level or a restriction in the suction/venturi of the pump. It would also explain the change in the bubble size.

shanedag · Mar 18, 2021

Closing the loop on this one in case anyone else runs across this with similar problems. Coralvue support was great...shipped me new power supply and new controller. Controller turned out to be the issue. Back up to 40 watts and lots of big bubbles again :)