Reef octopus 110 space saver

[BadFish619]

So I bought this used for my brother's tank. The pump turns on but the bubbles are only about half way up as seen in pics. The unit was used so I'm not sure how to increase the bubble height so they will overflow into collection cup. I'm not sure if the pump is adjustable or maybe its wearing out? Or the air line is messed up? When moving the red air adjustable tube it just kicks back to where it was. Any insight would be appreciated!

 

[lbacha]

I have the same skimmer. That is about the correct water level (the white bubbles you see) as the skimmer starts to skim gunk (proteins, particles, etc) out of the tank a lighter foam will raise up the tube till it overflows. On a new skimmer that sometimes takes a few days or more for the skimmer to break in. I would leave it for now but if you do want to adjust it the red tube with the white cap is how you do that. By turning it and lowering the number you will slow down the water flow through the skimmer and raise the level slightly.

Hope this helps

Len

 

[BadFish619]

I have the same skimmer. That is about the correct water level (the white bubbles you see) as the skimmer starts to skim gunk (proteins, particles, etc) out of the tank a lighter foam will raise up the tube till it overflows. On a new skimmer that sometimes takes a few days or more for the skimmer to break in. I would leave it for now but if you do want to adjust it the red tube with the white cap is how you do that. By turning it and lowering the number you will slow down the water flow through the skimmer and raise the level slightly.

Hope this helps

Len

So the water level being down under the words on the main body is how it should be?

 

[FlyPenFly]

When you twist the red tube the water level changes.

 

[BadFish619]

When you twist the red tube the water level changes.

It twist but the tension brings it back to where it was

 

[FlyPenFly]

It twist but the tension brings it back to where it was

Hmm I would disassemble and look carefully. Mine twists and has numbers on there

 

[Exotic Coral Collection]

Second, disassemble and a good cleaning

 

[Indiana Reefin]

Your airline could be too short or you need to pull out more slack. The air line is bringing the valve to a more closed position. You may have more slack that is bunched up in the tube. Lightly pull on the air line to provide lore slack

 

[BadFish619]

Ok I'll give that a shot and report back tomorrow!

 

[Dom]

Your water level is too low.

That is an older model and it doesn't have the numbered markings on the collar.

As has been mentioned a few times, the red tube with the white cap rotates; clockwise and counterclockwise.

Turn that tube and watch the head of foam in the body of the skimmer cylinder. It will rise and fall. You want the foam head to be at the top or close to it. Then as the foam thickens, it will push up the tube and into the collection cup.

The debris on the sides of the cylinder is fish poo. That should be collecting further up inside the collection cup. It doesn't because the water level is too low.

Also, that skimmer needs to been a sump who's water lever is 7-8 inches.

 

[zbryant91]

I’m pretty sure the water level is supposed to be about 7-9”. Have mine sitting at about 8 and is working well.

That said, I would definitely add some slack to the air line 1st and dial in the rotation of the red tube. But that may not be enough if the water level is too low

 

[Dom]

I’m pretty sure the water level is supposed to be about 7-9”. Have mine sitting at about 8 and is working well.

That said, I would definitely add some slack to the air line 1st and dial in the rotation of the red tube. But that may not be enough if the water level is too low

Look at the pictures. The water level that skimmer is sitting looks to be about 3 or 4 inches. Dialed all the way up, it would't be enough. The water level in the sump is too low.

 

[Hemmdog]

Look at the pictures. The water level that skimmer is sitting looks to be about 3 or 4 inches. Dialed all the way up, it would't be enough. The water level in the sump is too low.

+1

 

[BadFish619]

Water level looked low in those pics but its about 7 inches. That was the first thing I made sure of but still not getting the correct bubble height. I'll mess with air line today.

 

[bluprntguy]

I had one of the original and the recommended water height is more like 7.5”-8.5” if you convert from cm. BRS lists it as 7”-8”. I’d ditch the egg crate and see if that helps. I recall mine ran better in deeper water.

As others have noted, the red tube rotates and that’s how you control the amount of air and height of the foam.

 

[BadFish619]

I had one of the original and the recommended water height is more like 7.5”-8.5” if you convert from cm. BRS lists it as 7”-8”. I’d ditch the egg crate and see if that helps. I recall mine ran better in deeper water.

.

As others have noted, the red tube rotates and that’s how you control the amount of air and height of the foam.

Ya I'll take the egg crate out but I still need to figure out the red tube. When I turn it it just goes back to where it is now as if there is maybe no slack in the airline. I'll just have to keep messing with it i think.

 

[Dom]

This is my Octo 110. Notice where the foam level is. At the time the photo was taken, the foam head sits just below the collection cup. When the water content changes and there is matter to remove from the water column, the foam thickens, carrying waste up along with the foam.

Notice how the collection cup is lined with gunk? That is fish poo.

 

[BadFish619]

Yes, it just wasn't bubbling up that high. I have since pulled it apart and fixed the airline so the dial will now spin and stay in place! Just fixed it about an hour ago so looking good so far. I run an ASM on my tank so was confused as to why the red dial to adjust wasn't staying where put. But looks like it will now. Thanks for your help everyone?

 

[BadFish619]

This is my Octo 110. Notice where the foam level is. At the time the photo was taken, the foam head sits just below the collection cup. When the water content changes and there is matter to remove from the water column, the foam thickens, carrying waste up along with the foam.

Notice how the collection cup is lined with gunk? That is fish poo.

Ps. This particular red octopus doesn't have those numbers on it. Must be an older model

 

[dburnsworth]

Does anyone have a modification for this skimmer to run an airline outside?