Reef Octopus skimmer water level - video

[Shelby2012]

I've purchased Reef Octopus BH100 skimmer and it is working for 12 hours now. It is a new system and the tank started the cycling process. As you can see from the video, the water level is way above the water level mark, about 1.5 ". The collection cup is full and the water is overflowing to the tube. Is this normal during the break in period and also during the cycle process?
Short video of the working skimmer
[video]www.ericphotoart.com/files/skimmer.wmv[/video]

 

[caudill187]

It looks like you may be missing a part. On mine, there is a PVC elbow between the pump and clear surface skimmer piece. Unless you have a different model, it looks like you have the clear surface skimmer connected directly to the venturi. The depth of water at which this skimmer takes in water is critical, in my experience. I love mine by the way, does a killer job on my 50 gallon, even better on my 30gallon. When I first installed mine, the skimmer ran wet, but not like that. If yours is different and is supposed to be assembled like that, I'd say just give it a little time and raise the cup in the process.

 

[Shelby2012]

Thanks. No I don't miss any part. It is probably a different model than yours. I came to the point I had to turn the skimmer off to figure out what to do. there were some water drops under the skimmer and the stand became wet. I will try to move the collection cup a little higher but the manual says it should be about halfway.

 

[caudill187]

Yes I think I have the BH100-SS. Is that a sponge in your bubble chamber? I ditched all of those that came with mine.

You could try and PM the coralvue/reef octopus folks through their sponsor forum. They have always been very helpful to me in the past.

 

[Shelby2012]

How stupid of me. I found the problem. The square sponge was originally under the collection cup when it was shipped to me. There was nothing about this sponge in the manual so I figured this is its place. WRONG!! The sponge shoud be mounted on the outlet elbow. I visited the manufacture's website and there is a short video there on how to esamble the skimmer. Well, just first mistake and lack of knowledge....