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My skimmer.

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by mthomp, Dec 16, 2010.

  1. Dec 16, 2010 #1
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    Ok I have a reef octopus ins ump skimmer. http://www.directaquarium.com/Reef-Octopus-Needlewheel-Skimmer-150-p/16006.htm 
    i cant seem to get it dialed in. it is either overflowing the collection cup or not making any head at all.  Now it could be I do not have enough livestock in the tank yet for there to be much waste for it to skim I do not know. I have 2 firefin gobbies, 2  very small clowns, royal gramma, coral beauty and a bi color blenny.  this is a 90 gal tank with 30 gal sump.  any thoughts? should i be concerned?
     
  2. Dec 16, 2010 #2
    Gered

    Gered Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Not having a huge bio load may be the reason. What water depth is the skimmer setting in? Is it set to the manufacturers recommended height?
     
  3. Dec 16, 2010 #3
    IowaDiver West Des Moines

    IowaDiver Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Does your sump stay at a constant water level or does it fluctuate with evaporation? I had similar problems until I added a glass divider to keep the water the same level in the part of the sump where my skimmer is at. I also modded my skimmer with a gate valve mod to better control the skimmer.
     
  4. Dec 16, 2010 #4
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    it is in 11 inch of water, the 2nd chamber of my sump. I dont really have any control of that but I will check on what is recomended
     
  5. Dec 16, 2010 #5
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    it is a divided sump tibbs and stays at a constant level in that part of the sump.
     
  6. Dec 16, 2010 #6
    Jay Marion

    Jay Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Usually those things have a minimum water level they are supposed to work best in, check your manual and see, I have a bigger version of yours and it requires approx. 9" of water to work best, anymore and it is about useless, any less and it is about useless. I had to build a plexiglass stand for mine to get it right.
     
  7. Dec 16, 2010 #7
    IowaDiver West Des Moines

    IowaDiver Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    How often do you feed? I used to feed 3 times day with frozen and my cup filled up every few days. Now I feed twice, once with frozen and once with a small amount of pellets, and it probably takes 6 or 7 days to fill up. Are you dosing any type of additive to the tank. Some things can play havoc with the skimming.
     
  8. Dec 16, 2010 #8
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    Yeah Jay I may need to raise it some it says Water level in sump should be 6”-10” as long as
    it is not covering the water outlet pipe. it is in 11 inches and does cover the pipe the water comes out. I dont have much room above to raise it but ill see what i can do. maybe lengthen the pipe some of that is possible.

    Tibbs i only feed 1 time maybe 2 times a day. with the small amount of fish and their size I dont see much of a need to feed more, more worried about over feeding. I have not started dosing anything as of yet my alk and cal levels are still good. I usually take my skimmer offline when I dose though
     

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