Reef Octopus Issue

[landon]

Last week I unplugged my skimmer to change up the plug arrangements since it looked pretty bad. After plugging my skimmer back in, I noticed that the skimmer did not turn on. I tried other sockets with no luck but finally, with no reason, it turned on after plugging into a socket I had already tried. Last night I accidently unplugged it before doing a water change and the same thing happened. This time I have not been successful in getting it to turn back on.

Has anyone else had this problem? It is a Reef Octopus Extreme 160 that I bought in May or June of last year. It was worked GREAT up to this point. I have been told to soak and let powerheads run in a solution of vinegar and water to clean them, do ya'll do this with your skimmer as well?

Any suggestions?

 

[tgriffin]

My skimmer (SWC 160 extreme cone) says to only run in saltwater I believe. I don't know why, but I have used vinegar to clean other pumps and equipment and has worked very well.

 

[curtis mitchell]

Landon;632861 wrote: Last week I unplugged my skimmer to change up the plug arrangements since it looked pretty bad. After plugging my skimmer back in, I noticed that the skimmer did not turn on. I tried other sockets with no luck but finally, with no reason, it turned on after plugging into a socket I had already tried. Last night I accidently unplugged it before doing a water change and the same thing happened. This time I have not been successful in getting it to turn back on.

Has anyone else had this problem? It is a Reef Octopus Extreme 160 that I bought in May or June of last year. It was worked GREAT up to this point. I have been told to soak and let powerheads run in a solution of vinegar and water to clean them, do ya'll do this with your skimmer as well?

Any suggestions?

I don't use anything but clean freash water. Could the impeller be in a mag lock take it apart and clean real well

 

[landon]

Yeah, I think I'll take it apart tonight. If it was in mag lock would I be able to at least here the system turn on? Seems as though it's not even turning on.

 

[1percula]

I have the same problem with my return pump when I clean my sump. Takes a while to get it going again. Tagging along for info.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

This is a recurring issue with the Reef Octopus needlewheel. Reseating the impeller is a short term fix, but it isnt a solution. You may need to contact Coralvue to see if this is repairable/replacable under warranty.

 

[landon]

jmaneyapanda;632878 wrote: This is a recurring issue with the Reef Octopus needlewheel. Reseating the impeller is a short term fix, but it isnt a solution. You may need to contact Coralvue to see if this is repairable/replacable under warranty.

Ugh, not fun to hear. Yeah, I emailed them this morning and explained the same way I did on here. Waiting to hear back from them. I do not remember how the warranty was set up. Hasn't been over a year.

 

[purplegorilla]

I have this issue with one of my old Octopus. I think it is due to that particular pump. What I ended up doing is blow some air into the air tube to get the impeller moving.

 

[landon]

Looks like I have something to do over my lunch break! Thanks for all the help!

 

[gmpolan]

same issue, i had to contact coralvue about a year ago to get the pump replaced...

 

[landon]

Update. Went home and took the sucker out of the sump. Where the air tube meets the blower, I took that cap off and gave the pinwheel a little turn. Plugged it back up and is working perfect. It does make me nervous that many people have had the same issue. Will def persue this with Coral Vue, if they ever call me back....

 

[1mbrews8]

Also, blowing into the air intake thingy helps too. When I took mine apart to upgrade, I had some salt? In the tube so maybe see if u have some there if it happens again..
Mike

 

[gabbagabbawill]

I have the Reef Octopus DNW-150 and have only had one problem with the pump re-starting...

I took it apart to find a dead goby that had made it's way into the overflow drain, through my plumbing and into the skimmer pump. poor little guy. After I removed the fish and cleaned the pump, it worked fine again.