Problem with Octopus BH-1000 Protein Skimmer .

Yusuf · Mar 22, 2014

Hi i just set it up like instructions said but the problem is that it dont make much bubbles ( no micro the skimming ones ) did i do something wrong ?

reefobsessed · Mar 22, 2014

Did you hold your finger over the air intake untill the pump started working properly?

Yusuf · Mar 22, 2014

reefobsessed said:
Did you hold your finger over the air intake untill the pump started working properly?

yes

NanaReefer · Mar 22, 2014

Unplug the unit. Wait a minute til it drains. Cover air intake, plug unit back in wait til it fills then release air intake. I have the exact same skimmer

Reefing Madness · Mar 22, 2014

Check the ailine for saltcreep at the pump.

NanaReefer · Mar 22, 2014

Reefing Madness said:
Check the ailine for saltcreep at the pump.

No salt creep as it's brand new

Yusuf · Mar 22, 2014

NanaReefer said:
Unplug the unit. Wait a minute til it drains. Cover air intake, plug unit back in wait til it fills then release air intake. I have the exact same skimmer

I did it like 10 times and no use :cry:

Reefing Madness · Mar 22, 2014

NanaReefer said:
No salt creep as it's brand new

Oops, missed that part.:tongue:

-Logzor · Mar 22, 2014

I had this issue because I plugged in the air intake (grey plastic cylinder) into the opening at the top, the grey cylinder with the airline tubing attached should hang freely, not plugged into anything. The plastic airline tubing needs to remain connected to the pump though.

steelwrap · Mar 22, 2014

Try blowing into the airline until it bubbles into tank then give a hard suck until it bubbles start. This is the way I have to (re)prime my bh2000

Martyd · Mar 22, 2014

Stupid question. That's a saltwater tank, right? I see what looks to be a lot of fresh water plants and gravel.

NanaReefer · Mar 22, 2014

Martyd said:
Stupid question. That's a saltwater tank, right? I see what looks to be a lot of fresh water plants and gravel.

You caught that too? Lol

Yusuf · Mar 23, 2014

Martyd said:
Stupid question. That's a saltwater tank, right? I see what looks to be a lot of fresh water plants and gravel.

No its not saltwater i am just testing it on this tank .

Yusuf · Mar 23, 2014

I did what u guys said but no use , maybe the pump has a problem ? Should i return it ? Logzer sorry can u describe again please because i didnt understand :/ do you mean the part that attached to the pump ?

redfishbluefish · Mar 23, 2014

Protein skimmers do not work on fresh water tanks!

Yusuf · Mar 23, 2014

redfishbluefish said:
Protein skimmers do not work on fresh water tanks!

I know it will not skim but not producing bubbles ?!

Martyd · Mar 24, 2014

Yusuf said:
I know it will not skim but not producing bubbles ?!

You won't get the fine bubbles due to the difference in surface tension between fresh and salt water. Skimmers simply don't work on fresh water tanks.

NanaReefer · Mar 24, 2014

Martyd said:
You won't get the fine bubbles due to the difference in surface tension between fresh and salt water. Skimmers simply don't work on fresh water tanks.

Right you are!

Yusuf · Mar 25, 2014

Martyd said:
You won't get the fine bubbles due to the difference in surface tension between fresh and salt water. Skimmers simply don't work on fresh water tanks.

Ok great ! but are you totally sure ? so i can buy salt now .

stunreefer · Mar 25, 2014

Yep, totally sure.

Protein skimmers designed for saltwater use will not produce proper bubbles in chamber as described above.

There are protein skimmers for freshwater use, but they're designed differently. Most are used in ponds.