Reef Octopus BH-1000

[Flaxon-Waxon]

Just set up this skimmer today. Where do I want my collection cup in relation to how it is now ( please see pic ) ? Do I want it lower so more of the white bubbly foam essentially pours over the top of the tube and into the cup... Or higher so the stuff doesn't even reach the top at all... Or basically right where it is so the stuff reaches the top but doesn't overflow? I realize this isn't actually "skimming" yet due to break in period, but I need to know how to let it run. Thanks!

 

[Schism]

Just set up this skimmer today. Where do I want my collection cup in relation to how it is now ( please see pic ) ? Do I want it lower so more of the white bubbly foam essentially pours over the top of the tube and into the cup... Or higher so the stuff doesn't even reach the top at all... Or basically right where it is so the stuff reaches the top but doesn't overflow? I realize this isn't actually "skimming" yet due to break in period, but I need to know how to let it run. Thanks!

Where its at looks good for now, once its broke in you may have to move it up or down a bit depending. But u want a nice dark green/brown skimmate. If it a real clearish color then you need to move the cup up slightly to achieve a dryer skim.

Hope that helps, i run this skimmer on my 29g reef. Had it for over a year and its worked great.

 

[Flaxon-Waxon]

Ok so I don't actually want it spilling into the collection cup, if I interpreted what you said correctly? Its actually producing a dirty water at the bottom of the cup... Is that a good sign?

 

[Schism]

Ok so I don't actually want it spilling into the collection cup, if I interpreted what you said correctly? Its actually producing a dirty water at the bottom of the cup... Is that a good sign?

Yea that is skimmate. It the dirty water becomes more clear then the cup needs moved up usually. I think your fine right now. Usually i need to empty my cup 1-2 times a week. Just check it daily. I probably get a 1/4" a day

 

[Flaxon-Waxon]

Nice thanks a lot! Anything else I need to know about that skimmer? Other than that the directions it came with suck

 

[Schism]

Nice thanks a lot! Anything else I need to know about that skimmer? Other than that the directions it came with suck

Nope not really. I removed all the sponges in mine. Give it a good cleaning every few months and it will stay running like a charm.

 

[Flaxon-Waxon]

Nice... My LFS told me to put the sponge here:




The other one is left as is how it came.

 

[Schism]

Nice... My LFS told me to put the sponge here:

The other one is left as is how it came.

The sponges are to help reduce micro bubbles, however once broken in i neee has a problem with micro bubbles. The sponges will clog up and trap organics just so you know. They need cleaned often, however getting them out to clean is not the easiest.

 

[Flaxon-Waxon]

Ahhhh cool thanks again!

 

[Flaxon-Waxon]

Actually one more question for ya? The water level in the return side goes up and down, and doesn't stay consistent. It's actually the same for the collection cup, I can see the bubbles go up and then come down... Is this just how this pump functions? Or is it just getting more water at times due to the flow in my tank?

 

[Schism]

Actually one more question for ya? The water level in the return side goes up and down, and doesn't stay consistent. It's actually the same for the collection cup, I can see the bubbles go up and then come down... Is this just how this pump functions? Or is it just getting more water at times due to the flow in my tank?

No mines stays pretty constant. Most likely your getting that because of the sponges.