New Octopus Skimmer in Sump 6 HELP

[gort]

I believe that is the model i have, should know, but lost all my doc.

I got it at marinedepot for right at 200, so that might give you a better idea of what i am talking about.

This skimmer sits in a sump, water level is about an inch above the minumum level marked on the device with a line.

No matter how i adjust this thing, it will over flow the cup in from a couple of minutes to about 5 minutes. Time difference due to me turning the gate valve.

I know this thing is a good skimmer.. I just cant get it to set enough so i can let it break in.


I just cant get that bubble line to stay put!

Any ideas would be a great help. I have had skimmers before, cheapo's , but they always fired right up and i could adjust them to run till broken in.

I have thought about taking it out of the sump and giving it a once over look.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts

 

[tony_caliente]

I don't have that model, but i did encounter that when the water level in my sump is too high (or the PS is too low)

 

[frantz]

When I first set up my skimmer I had the same trouble.. I just let it run at the overflowing level for a few weeks and it eventually skimmed normal and correct.. in the mean time, even with the overflowing i was getting a bowl full of very dirty water every few days, it just was letting alot back in the system

 

[tdam]

Bill, have u thought about raising the skimmer up by putting a block under it? I could be way off. Just a thought.

 

[mufret]

It needs to break in. Just open the gate valve all the way and let it run. It will settle down in a day or 2. Then you can start tweaking it.

 

[tony_caliente]

I sat mine on top of a 3 inch tupperware (punched some holes in it).

tdam;685246 wrote: Bill, have u thought about raising the skimmer up by putting a block under it? I could be way off. Just a thought.

 

[landon]

The exact thing happened to me. Just let it run for a couple days and it should clear up. I don't think your water level will be an issue. When my pump is turned of in my system, the water level in my sump rises pretty high and I'l able to adjust my skimmer to where it won't overflow.

Just let it run and it'll calm down.

Frantz;685243 wrote: When I first set up my skimmer I had the same trouble.. I just let it run at the overflowing level for a few weeks and it eventually skimmed normal and correct.. in the mean time, even with the overflowing i was getting a bowl full of very dirty water every few days, it just was letting alot back in the system

 

[izoid]

If you fill it to the minimum line chances are that the output tube will be underwater. It is that way with mine. If it is, the thing will always overflow. I have mine on a homemade rack that places the output just above the water line.

 

[jef4y]

Open the gate valve all the way
Run it at the MINIMUM depth
Make sure the airline isn't pinched or blocked in any way

Between those 3 you should have a solution.

 

[gort]

izoid;685282 wrote: If you fill it to the minimum line chances are that the output tube will be underwater. It is that way with mine. If it is, the thing will always overflow. I have mine on a homemade rack that places the output just above the water line.

I think this is it! I have the skimmer in the sump. I might be misunderstanding the "minimum water level" mark on the side of the skimmer.

When I am running at this mark and a little higher, my outlet pipe (with the gate valve on it) is below the water surface. The gate valve isnt but the outlet pipe is.

I need to raise this baby up! I was doing just the opposite trying to raise the water level above the line and deeper.

Thanks much. I will make a stand and let you know. Thanks everybody for all the help.

got my fingers crossed.


Think i got a picture attached showing what i am doing wrong.
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class="gc-images" title="OctopusNWB1101.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a> </fieldset>

 

[landon]

It's also possible that you have a lot of nutrients and waste in the water and that is causing it to over flow. I say get a filter bag full of carbon and it that help break down the nutrients. Also, just let it run for a few days.

 

[izoid]

I looked at your picture and your water level is definitely too high. I guarantee that is your problem. The bottom of the outlet tube is 6.75" from the bottom of the skimmer and it must be above the water line. The min and max lines on the skimmer make no sense at all, don't pay them any attention. Once I figured this out my skimmer has been working perfectly and I have the same one as you do.