New Reef Octopus Classic 110INT

[Lars Olsson]

So I finally made my skimmer stand today and turned on the skimmer...

Recommended water level is 7"-8" and I got lucky at exactly 7.5". The issue is, it's running over like mad and the collection cup is completely full of water. I have read a lot about skimmers and it may be completely normal, I'm just looking for confirmation.

The other issue is that it now won't sit level. I have to lean it on the drain pipe to keep it from falling over. It didn't do this when it sat on the bottom of the sump.

Any help or comments/suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[A_game43]

If you say it is new it may have a run in period, I have heard of this. Matter of fact I see it in my sump, I have my old skimmer SWC and newer smaller SWC as well and the newer one does a lot of "Wet skimming" currently instead of creating Skimmate.

Also, check that your Air inlet open/close valve is open and as well turn down the bubble head with the control knob. By adjusting both of these you can adjust your bubble height position in the fill neck? Hope this helps.

 

[Lars Olsson]

Thanks, can you shed some light on the bubble head control knob? I have the gate valve fully open, not sure what else there is to adjust.

 

[A_game43]

Sure, on my skimmer I can adjust how much air is let into the body or needle wheel area. My skimmer has a " + or - " on the air adjust control. My skimmer is old so I figure that most new ones would have this as well? Let me know.

 

[A_game43]

This is my air control knob?

 

[Lars Olsson]

Well, I don't have a control knob, only two holes in the "silencer", one has a cap, the other is the air intake. I went to my LFS and spoke with them about your suggestion. They gave me a piece of tubing that fits on the open hole. I restricted it by pinching it and cutting a small hole in it. It seems to have done the trick and the skimmer is now producing what seems to be the correct amount of foam. If this continues, I will need a more permanent solution but it's working for now and I can get through the break-in period.

Thanks for your suggestion, it led me down the correct path.

 

[cmcoker]

What about one of these? https://premiumaquatics.com/products/twolittlefishies-micro-valve-barb-single-pack.html

 

[Lars Olsson]

I build my "permanent"solution to the airflow problem today. I couldn't find a simple air valve that was big enough to go in the tube so I bought a water shut off ball valve and it's working great!



Thanks again everyone, my first real experience here has been great!

 

[A_game43]

From the pics I would say that your "skim body" is very low in the chamber, add more air now and get it to raise. You should be able to run with the micro bubble head just at the base of the cup or where the neck comes together. You will need to try your new device out a little and see how it allows for more air to raise the skim level.

 

[Lars Olsson]

Thanks for that advice, the air valve is super sensitive! I played with the gate valve and raised the water level inside the skimmer body which pushed the bubbles higher. I don't know much about this, but am I correct in assuming that the more air the smaller the bubbles? I also assume that smaller bubbles are preferred to larger ones?