Reef Octopus NW -150

[Smitty007j]

I have the reef octopus nw 150 the directions say to have it at 7-8 inches of water and all it does is overflow. I've tried all levels from almost 6 inches through 10. Its currently just running and draining back into the tank. Please help.

 

[tencwhiskey]

How long have you had it? Usually takes a week or so to break in.

 

[Smitty007j]

Five days its been running for 2 non stop. I've read it should take awhile to break in I just didn't think it would constantly overflow. Im new to the hobby and everything's going crazy for me even my tunze osmolator overflows. When's the fun gonna start lol.

 

[jedimasterben]

Have you adjusted the gate valve?

 

[tencwhiskey]

I am pretty new to the hobby as well but I upgraded my tank so I had a skimmer in the smaller tank, a hang skimmer and now an In sump. They all three overflowed and didn't skim much for a week or two.

 

[Smitty007j]

Yup all the way closed and open no change other than it overflows more.

 

[jedimasterben]

What pump do you have on it? Mine is upgraded to the Bubble Blaster HY-2000 pump, and I have to have it in 5-6" of water maximum.

 

[Smitty007j]

The stock pump

 

[fisharefriends]

well to avoid all overflowing you could just put it in a bucket with some saltwater and let it break in there to stop your headaches cause if its overflowing in your tank chances are its not doing anything beneficial anyway you know . Skimmers have to build that nasty slime coat in them first .

 

[jedimasterben]

Hmm. I would still raise it in the sump by an inch or two and see what happens.

 

[Smitty007j]

Ill maybe try another inch but I'm out of egg crate ill have to make something.

 

[jedimasterben]

That's why I went ahead and bought an adjustable skimmer stand so I could fine-tune it

 

[ETORRES477]

Keep trying to use the ball valve, I have an older reef octopus rps 3000 rated up to 400 gallons, I believe this is the smaller version of it. Anyway, I learned to manipulate the ball valve to dial it in. Trick is to do it in very small increments, I'm talking turns about 1/8th of an inch. Each time you manipulate the valve give it a good five minutes to get an idea of the results, its slow and painful but that should help you zero it in. Also, the water line INSIDE of the skimmer should be just above the neck at the point where you can screw the top portion off. And remember, just because the foam does not reach the top right away, that does not mean its not working it may just need time to build up.

 

[Smitty007j]

It finally calmed down I think I'm gonna slowly drop it down to 7 to 8 inches of water. I can see the slim build up on it. And the bubbles from its exit was affecting the tunze osmolator. Everything's working now. Finally! !!!!

 

[fisharefriends]

Yea see it usually takes time all skimmers seem like they dont wanna work at first like that but they start to settle in...

 

[prsnlty]

That's why I went ahead and bought an adjustable skimmer stand so I could fine-tune it

+1
I did this also and it fixed my issue.

Jackie
125g mixed reef peninsula

 

[PCygni]

One of my many misconceptions getting into the hobby was a skimmer is a 'set and forget it' proposition. Even after the break-in period you'll find that a skimmer needs to be tinkered with. They are really living and breathing things that swiftly react to changing water conditions in your tank. All I can tell you is read and research and experiment.

 

[ReefMadScientist]

No need to buy any stand. I have the exact skimmer. Just get a few PCV pieces and use them as stands or use a nice piece of live rock to hold the skimmer a few inches up.

Let me know and I can take a picture of where my water line is.

 

[Smitty007j]

I got it going im gonna do the pvc and egg crate and make a stand .

 

[ReefMadScientist]

I got it going im gonna do the pvc and egg crate and make a stand .

Great!

Let me know if you need any further assistance.