Skimmer Q&A Thread

[reeftivo]

Hopefully someone has a suggestion. I have a RO INT skimmer. It looks like the current Elite model.

Elite Protein Skimmer INT (3 models available) – Reef Octopus 深圳市泓亚水族设备制造有限公司

reefoctopus.com

I've had this skimmer for about 3 years and has operated great. About 3 months ago I had to treat for a bacteria infection using Erythromycin. During course of treatment I needed to turn the skimmer off. After treatment was complete the skimmer goes crazy. Fills the cup up in seconds. I've tried water changes, I've tried letting the skimmer run for a couple weeks, I've tried pulling the skimmer, completely disassembling the skimmer and cleaning skimmer and pump. No luck. It is still absolutely foaming like crazy.

Any thoughts about how to get it back under control?

Erythromycin treatment is probably still leaching from the rock scape. carbon, carbon and more carbon

set the skimmer with effluent wide open and the pump on the lowest power setting if you haven't already.

dont worry about skimmate too much until the leaching has subsided and remember the carbon ;-)

 

[Sidjam]

I just purchased a Red Sea Reefer 425xl (112 gallon total water volume) so I’ve starting looking at skimmer options. I would like to hear some opinions on some good options. Thanks!

 

[a;lksdjf]

I am having trouble with my Reef Octopus RO-PS 2000 INT. It fills at a ridiculous rate and overflows back into the sump within seconds of plugging it in. I’ve tried turning the valve all the way to both the left and right and everything in-between. All the way to the left slows it down a bit, but nowhere near enough to make it function normally. Bottom of the skimmer is 8 and 1/2” below water level. I want to get this figured out before I start adding fish. Is there any way to fix this without taking it apart?

 

[a;lksdjf]

I am having trouble with my Reef Octopus RO-PS 2000 INT. It fills at a ridiculous rate and overflows back into the sump within seconds of plugging it in. I’ve tried turning the valve all the way to both the left and right and everything in-between. All the way to the left slows it down a bit, but nowhere near enough to make it function normally. Bottom of the skimmer is 8 and 1/2” below water level. I want to get this figured out before I start adding fish. Is there any way to fix this without taking it apart?

 

[a;lksdjf]

Ok so I guess I can’t upload a video, but it’s not hard to imagine what happens lol.

 

[reeftivo]

if your wedge pipe is wide open and you are getting that much foam, then make a stand and raise the skimmer. i would get some light diffuser and make at least a couple stands. one at 1 inch and one at 2 inch. you may have to mod a 90 onto the effluent because raising it will also raise the pipe with the gate valve and create some splashing and more noise. a 90 back down into the sump will alleviate that though.

have you made a stand before with light diffuser panel?

 

[reeftivo]

I just purchased a Red Sea Reefer 425xl (112 gallon total water volume) so I’ve starting looking at skimmer options. I would like to hear some opinions on some good options. Thanks!

what's your budget and skimmer space

 

[a;lksdjf]

if your wedge pipe is wide open and you are getting that much foam, then make a stand and raise the skimmer. i would get some light diffuser and make at least a couple stands. one at 1 inch and one at 2 inch. you may have to mod a 90 onto the effluent because raising it will also raise the pipe with the gate valve and create some splashing and more noise. a 90 back down into the sump will alleviate that though.

have you made a stand before with light diffuser panel?

It’s already raised up as high as I can possibly get it. The only way I can think of fixing it is trying to find a collection cup that will fit between the framing baffles while still fitting the body, since cutting into them won’t work due to the way it’s plumbed.

 

[reeftivo]

It’s already raised up as high as I can possibly get it. The only way I can think of fixing it is trying to find a collection cup that will fit between the framing baffles while still fitting the body, since cutting into them won’t work due to the way it’s plumbed.

that's not normal if it is raised to just submerge the pump. have you treated for anything or added new socks, equipment or frag putty?

 

[reeftivo]

post a pic of your skimmer pump in relation to the water level in the sump. your video looks like you can raise the skimmer more. i'm not saying you haven't raised it, just that i want to be sure.

if you don't have an air control valve already, you can put a pinch valve on the air intake to reduce the air. it will increase the water throughput though and will take some tuning to get right, but definitely doable.

 

[reeftivo]

pinch valve

Flow Control Needle Pinch Valve | U.S. Plastic Corp.

Easily meter fluid flow in your flexible tubing with this pinch valve.

www.usplastic.com

 

[a;lksdjf]

that's not normal if it is raised to just submerge the pump. have you treated for anything or added new socks, equipment or frag putty?

Sorry I guess I didn’t mention the tank is new. I began my cycle with Dr. Tim’s today.

 

[reeftivo]

New Rock and live sand? If so run the skimmer without the cup or leave it off. Run carbon right now until all production residue and die off subsides.

I would leave it off though. The skimmer will most likely leave spray spatter around the chamber.

 

[ToddL]

Anyone know where I can find a impeller for a Vertex Omega 130 pump

 

[reeftivo]

Anyone know where I can find a impeller for a Vertex Omega 130 pump

Hi Todd

You're going to have a hard time finding one as you may already know. BRS had some for a while and MarineandReef but they were gone pretty quick once the discontinued the line. the SK400 skimmer pump would work, but the impeller is different and i dont think the reach would fit the depth of the volute. The ultrareef akula UKS impeller is from ultrareefs modified sicce and may work, but it would be a shot in the dark and they sell for like 80 bucks. Aquarium specialty may have some hard to find impellers like the akula but i would call them to see and if they have any suggestions on how to find a vertex impeller. They might

 

[dedragon]

Anyone know where I can find a impeller for a Vertex Omega 130 pump

Amazon product
sk 400 is the same pump so the needle wheel should work fine. you could also replace with the new sicce psk sdc pumps if you wanted to as well.

 

[dedragon]

@reeftivo How are you liking the akula 160? Don't see too much info on them, all i know right now is it dwarfs the nyos and weighs like 10x as much. I ordered it to replace a nyos 120 which after 5 years the pump is grinding a bit, some of the acrylic bonded pieces have just magically unbonded, it is a great skimmer but always has had an annoying hum for me.
Almost bought the aquamaxx q1 for my 80 gallon tank but i think the akula 160 would serve me better if I end up upgrading my tank to a 120 when I move into my new place. Still not sure if it was the right call, what do you guys think? Anyone running an akula 160 on a larger tank?

 

[reeftivo]

@reeftivo How are you liking the akula 160? Don't see too much info on them, all i know right now is it dwarfs the nyos and weighs like 10x as much. I ordered it to replace a nyos 120 which after 5 years the pump is grinding a bit, some of the acrylic bonded pieces have just magically unbonded, it is a great skimmer but always has had an annoying hum for me.
Almost bought the aquamaxx q1 for my 80 gallon tank but i think the akula 160 would serve me better if I end up upgrading my tank to a 120 when I move into my new place. Still not sure if it was the right call, what do you guys think? Anyone running an akula 160 on a larger tank?

Hello,

funny you mention the akula, since it is back in the rotation for me next weekend. i rotate between the akula and the ATB Nano One between cleanings. Time for the ATB to get scrubbed and now the akula goes in. It's a truely no fuss skimmer and it should have no issue skimming a 120. I feed a bit more when i run it because it loves food. The Ultrareef skimmers are built like TANKS! You can't appreciate one unless you have seen one in person. Still can't get over the full block machined PVC they use for everything.

you will have no regrets

 

[dedragon]

Hello,

funny you mention the akula, since it is back in the rotation for me next weekend. i rotate between the akula and the ATB Nano One between cleanings. Time for the ATB to get scrubbed and now the akula goes in. It's a truely no fuss skimmer and it should have no issue skimming a 120. I feed a bit more when i run it because it loves food. The Ultrareef skimmers are built like TANKS! You can't appreciate one unless you have seen one in person. Still can't get over the full block machined PVC they use for everything.

you will have no regrets

Do you adjust the air intake at all? I dont really see a way to do that with the silencer, skimming fine right now but usually i drop the air a bit down with skimmers

 

[reeftivo]

Do you adjust the air intake at all? I dont really see a way to do that with the silencer, skimming fine right now but usually i drop the air a bit down with skimmers

Nope!

i leave it wide open. the pump is matched perfectly.