ReefOctopus Elite-150 Assembly NEED HELP!

[PigDaddyF15E]

So I'm trying to put together the Elite 150 INT with the "instructions" they provide. The "instructions" are no more than a diagram of the parts. I am attempting to put the T-Joint onto the base but it doesn't seem right. When I google videos they were provided a T-Joint that was LARGER than the base so the T-Joint pushes down onto the base. My T-Joint is the SAME size. so I don't see how I can adjust anything when the entire T-Joint rotates. Box was not open/appear opened when I got it...so I don't think it's a restock/return.

Advice???

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

I think there suppose to be a small red pipe between them, and maybe arrow faces up.

 

[PigDaddyF15E]

I think there suppose to be a small red pipe between them, and maybe arrow faces up.

Yes...I left the pipe out when I made the picture but my problem is...when the arrows are lined up...as they "instructions" say you cannot make an adjustment as the entire structure (red pipe, T Joint, and upper red pipe) all rotate together. The idea is that the T-Joint doesn't move...so the red upper pipe inside makes the opening smaller/bigger.

 

[PeterC99]

Here’s a pic of mine - I have the same skimmer. Remember I found a video online on assembly. Instructions are not very good.

 

[PeterC99]

Here’s the video

 

[PigDaddyF15E]

Here’s the video

That's exactly the video I watched. The T-Joint he has fits OVER the clear plastic of the base. My white T-Joint does not. it's the same size.

38 seconds in...he pushed the grey T OVER the clear plastic. I cannot do that. Mine sits on top.

 

[PeterC99]

Correct - it should fit over the base.

 

[PigDaddyF15E]

Correct - it should fit over the base.

Exactly. Mine is white and the same size at the clear base...so it cannot fit over it. So I think I must have gotten the wrong part bag in my box of stuff.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

<iframe width="934" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ilaeWIuzolI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[PigDaddyF15E]

<iframe width="934" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ilaeWIuzolI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Thanks for that.

At 2:36 when he inserts the small red pipe into the clear base...mine looks the same and bottoms out inside the clear base. When he then puts the white T-Joint onto that red pipe it stops/fits/binds about a half inch before it bottoms out and touches the clear base. Mine does not....when I slip the white T-Joint down onto the red pipe...is slips right down all the way and rests on the clear base. If you you leave it that way...and then go to adjust the skimmer...the entire white T-Joint rotates and the arrows will no longer be pointing at each other.

 

[PigDaddyF15E]

I got a reply from Octo. They informed me the videos/quoted above shows the OLD model that uses the grey T-Joint. I have the "NEW" model. I was told to glue the joint in place (A solution I find unacceptable)...or they would send me a new part U (the small red pipe that gets inserted into the base) and/or a different grey/white T-Joint. I asked for a new part U and a grey T-Joint to see which combo of pieces works.

 

[PigDaddyF15E]

Update: Octo is sending me the small pvc tube as well as a new T-Joint for me to try

 

[PigDaddyF15E]

Received a new red pvc pipe (Part U) and T-Joint. NO help...it does exactly the same thing...while the fit is tighter...you still rotate the arrows away from each other when you try and adjust the skimmer.

At this point I just don't know what to do. It would appear I'm stuck having to put a hand in the water to hold the white T-Joint in place whenever I need to adjust the skimmer. I'm sure that once I get it in the right spot I won't get adjusting it all that oftne...BUT...to me...it's the principal of the matter. They clearly "changed" something with this "new" model and it does not work like the older model did.

I wonder if any other people who purchased this model are having the same issues.

I probably will reply to customer service and tell them what they sent hasn't solved my problem. They will probably just tell me to glue it like they did the first time...a solution I find unacceptable. Probably not going to return it...since it was sold out for a quite a while. I just think they switched the type of T-Joint they use...and somehow didn't realize that it doesn't work.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

So if i understand what the problem in the TEE should not move, the pipe above rotates kinda of giving you the moon full moon to slice moon, this adjust the water volume causing back pressure? Does this sound correct?
do not see a problem with gluing the white TEE to the short red pipe, but would not glue the red pipe to the body of the skimmer.

 

[PigDaddyF15E]

So if i understand what the problem in the TEE should not move, the pipe above rotates kinda of giving you the moon full moon to slice moon, this adjust the water volume causing back pressure? Does this sound correct?
do not see a problem with gluing the white TEE to the short red pipe, but would not glue the red pipe to the body of the skimmer.

You are correct. I'm just not sure that gluing the short red pipe to the T-Joint would solve the problem. The replacement short red pipe they sent is a tighter fit to the tee joint so the two of them don't really rotate when they are put together. The issue seems to be nothing is stopping the red pipe from rotating inside the body of the skimmer. The previous design used a tee joint that was larger than the base so it fit over and formed a tight connection. The current design (video above) shows them just inserting the red pipe then slipping the T-Joint over that and it leaves about a quarter inch of space between the T-Joint and the base of the skimmer. No matter what combo of pipe and t-joint I use (they sent me a pipe and joint...so I now have two of each) when I slip the T-Joint onto the red pipe it bottoms out and the T-Joint ends up touching/resting on the base.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

I have the RO Regal 200 ext with the dc pump, my skimmer has a gate valve, i am surprised your skimmer does not come with a gate valve.
Can you face time with Coralvue?

 

[PigDaddyF15E]

I have the RO Regal 200 ext with the dc pump, my skimmer has a gate valve, i am surprised your skimmer does not come with a gate valve.
Can you face time with Coralvue?

I don't know. I've sent them a video of me assembling it to show how it rotates. Their directions are pretty much non-existent. It's an exploded diagram of the skimmer.

 

[kwall737]

I don't know. I've sent them a video of me assembling it to show how it rotates. Their directions are pretty much non-existent. It's an exploded diagram of the skimmer.

Did you ever find out a solution for this? Just got this skimmer and having the same issue.

 

[PigDaddyF15E]

I did not get a solution. They just sent me the same part that rotates. I just put it together as is...and when I need to adjust it I have to use one hand to hold one piece while I rotate the other.

 

[Coolcasino]

How about wrapping the red piece with Teflon tape to make it thicker? Have you tried a different tee? Maybe a small dab of crazy glue? You can always break it if its just a dab. You don't need much as you aren't turning that a whole lot. Once you have it where you want it you wont be playing with the level all that much. Still think they should have the correct size red pipe. You shouldn't have to be making any mods... specially for the price of these skimmers.