Reef Octopus Elite 150 SSS Int. Tuning help

[CMO]

Does this skimmer tune look normal to you? Particularly the build up in the cone body? I cleaned the cone last weekend and it's already caked up again. I'm also having issues with the foam not breaking in the skimmer cup and pushing out the vents. I'd normally set my micro foam level to the bottom of the collection cup to tune but that just doesn't seem to work with this skimmer.

My initial presumption is that it's set too dry but when I make it wetting I get way too much skimmate and still have the same issues with foam overflowing. I have to set the foam level quite low in the body to produce a normal amount of dark skimmate which then causes the body to cake up. Is that normal?

Skimmer water depth is currently 7.75" which is within the recommended range of 6-8" but at the top end. What impact might raising the skimmer to lower the level have?

Thank you

 

[Michael Naegeli]

I use same skimmer. Run on dry side for sure. Too wet will suck out all nutrients. Pretty normal to spew out the lid like that and cone will tend to cake up quite a bit too. I don’t clean too often. Great skimmer

 

[CMO]

I use same skimmer. Run on dry side for sure. Too wet will suck out all nutrients. Pretty normal to spew out the lid like that and cone will tend to cake up quite a bit too. I don’t clean too often. Great skimmer

Okay good to know I'm not a lone. The tune on these skimmers just seems to be a bit different than I'm used to on most.

What water level are you running at?

 

[Michael Naegeli]

I’m real close to the suggested marked line. I have no stand and it’s on a RSR 750xxl sump.

 

[CMO]

I’m real close to the suggested marked line. I have no stand and it’s on a RSR 750xxl sump.

There's a water level marking on the skimmer?? I don't see it. Would you mind pointing to where I can find that? Thank you!

 

[Michael Naegeli]

Oh I was mistaken. No mark. Water level sits rt on the top of the “o” of octo

 

[Michael Naegeli]

Fuge lights off. Otherwise I’d snap a pic

 

[CMO]

Gotcha. Thanks

 

[CMO]

Updated findings: I added a skimmer stand to change the water level from near the max at 7.75" to the min at 6" and it's running MUCH better now. I was having to run it at speed level 2-3 with the valve pretty much fully open at 7.75" water level but can now set the pump speed to max at 5 and close the valve quite a bit. I'm getting much better and finer foam now that breaks more easily and isn't spewing out the top nearly as much.

I also have my micro foam level set to the top of the top O in Octo now as recommended by @Michael Naegeli which is working really nicely. I had it set much lower originally in order to limit excess skimming which I no longer need to do with the lower water level. Hopefully this will prevent skimmate caking in the lower part of the skimmer body that I was getting before. We'll see at the end of the week but so far things look much better.