Skimmer Help

[jeffmuse]

I am having a problem with my in-sump Octopus 150 Needle Wheel skimmer. I was looking at the sump this morning, and noticed that the skimmer was producing NO foam... the skimmer chamber would fill up with water, but there was zero foam or bubbles. The skimmer has been running great for the past 6 months with no problems.

I have torn my room apart trying to find the owner's manual and cannot find it anywhere. If anyone has any feedback on what the problem may be, or any fixes that can be performed then I will appreciate ANY feedback that you have to offer!

 

[jcusmarine]

Have you taken it out and inspected the pump & needle wheel?

May be worth a quick check, clean and then test.

 

[gmpolan]

Had the same issue and my pump actually blew so coralvue had to send me another but hopefully yours isnt....good luck and just play around with it. Mine distinctly smelled like burned electrical wires

 

[lilrobb]

First thing would be the airhose for me

 

[jeffmuse]

I appreciate everyone's replies! I have tried priming the pump by shutting off the air valve, but unfortunately this did not get it going. The pump is sucking in water, just not producing any foam... this leads me to believe that the pin wheel may be stuck/ not working correctly.

Does anyone have any feedback on how to dissamble the pump and check out the pin wheel. I have checked online EVERYWHERE and there are no instructions. I have contacted Cor Vue, and I am waiting to see what they say (it is only 6 months old and should be under warranty).

Even though the skimmer has only been broke for a few days, I hate running without one. What does everyone suggest I do as far as water changes? I currently do a 12% change per week.... should I increase this to 20% till the skimmer is fixed?

 

[snowmansnow]

BLOW into the airhose and clear the water out. My Octo 150 was the SAME way.

b

 

[drnecropolis]

Little tip..

On the inside of the pump(where the grey part unscrews) on the inside of the threaded part where the air intake goes into the pump there is a rubber gasket where it snugs when you screw it back down(wow! I suck at describing this!!) That gasket blocks part of the hole the air comes through.. Take some nail clippers and cut away a small little section of that where it lines up and it will make it better.. Once you get it working..

 

[kayakatl]

ya know... I got the same skimmer and have had NO skimmate in the past 2 weeks. Just really really wet water, or nothing. I cant get it adjusted right either. I am not worried about it, I am starting to take the less skimming is more approach. Corals need some of the nutrients that we skim out. It is not going to kill anything for it not to run a few days. question... is it making bubbles at all and no real foam up the neck? Or is there just non bubbly water in the skimmer body?

 

[snowmansnow]

its one of 2 things. either your tank is so clean that the skimmer has nothing to clean or you've got something wrong with the skimmer.

Yes corals do need some of the stuff for skimming.. but I don't think you're going to run into a ULNS situation with an Octo 150 on a decently stocked 55

While you get it fixed I would do an extra water change or so.. just to keep on the safe side.

B

 

[drnecropolis]

I think something is off here.. I had a very light bioload in my 120 and the skimmer was skimming like a beast..
Either one of you guys with octo's that are having issues by chance anywhere near me or be semi in the area any time soon?
We could tinker with it and pop in in my sump and see what we can get it doing..

 

[snowmansnow]

i agree. the octo is a decent skimmer, and it's strange that they r both having the same kind of problem.

B

 

[budsreef]

Did you get this figured out and working? I'm no expert but I've taken mine apart many times and could come by if you want another set of eyes to look at it.