Reef Octopus PS-1000 INT reviews?

[schooncw]

I am setting up a 120 in a few weeks and this is still unopened in the box. I got this on the advice of my LFS-a good one- and am hoping for some feedback.
Thanks.

 

[Ocelaris]

I have basically the same thing on my 110. Mine came with the older pump and upgraded it to the DC pump, a little less powerful than yours for air flow, but very comparable. I'm a huge fan for the price, just make sure to keep it in the right height of water or you'll overflow or won't produce enough skimmate. I think the level is like 6-9 inches, but don't quote me, check their site. Great customer service and that one has been around for a very long time, proven performer. Good choice.

 

[schooncw]

Thank you for your reply. Coralvue said the skimmer likes to be at 5.5-5.75" water level. My plan is to set things up at the recommended water level and let it sit for a few weeks and then, perhaps to put in a few layers of plastic egg crate, as I think I may want a higher overall water level in my sump. Did you do anything like this?

 

[Ocelaris]

Yeah, knew it was 6 or 9... something to that extent, it definitely makes a huge difference. I was convinced that I had to get a new skimmer before I changed the water level and pump; but after getting it set up right I'm pulling a ton of gunk every day. My water level in my sump is 9" and so I have a plastic box that it sits on to raise it up to the right level, though I did get a new sump last weekend, so I should go back and try and get it in the ~6" range. I'm not sure if your skimmer returns below water level, but I put a 1" PVC elbow on mine to get the water to not make any noise. However it's metric, so the 1" PVC elbow I had to shave down to get it to fit the outside, inside the gate valve... a little jerry rigged, but cut the noise down a lot.

 

[schooncw]

So your PVC elbow.....facing down I assume? Is the end of the elbow submerged? I always just tied a mesh bag to the return to mitigate noise and if too noisy once I set up, will do so again.

 

[Ocelaris]

Yes, it's aiming down. Mine is a 150 INT, but should be similar; I am pretty sure it was a 1" elbow, but it could have been a 3/4" elbow, and I had to shave it down a bit, but fit nice and snug and essentially silent.

 

[schooncw]

So, the end of the PVC looks like it is below the waterline and would that not affect the skimming? The mesh bag tied around the end of the return worked well for me in the past.

 

[Ocelaris]

No idea, but it stopped the noise! Maybe I'll try the bag if you know better?

 

[schooncw]

Not sure I know "better" but it was silent and stopped all splashing.

 

[Ocelaris]

I'm going to assume it's roughly the same since we restrict the flow down so much with the gate valve, another little elbow isn't going to make a huge difference.