Sep 27, 2020
Keith Willingham
wrote
Just got a Reef Octopus 90hob. Great skimmer. What should the water level be on the intake cage? It’s currently set an 1/4” from the bottom ribs. Is that correct?
Reply
23 Answers
Sep 28, 2020
Angie Brumfield
agent
wrote
This video goes over your skimmer and will tell you how to set it correctly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCdl4Xrw90s
Sep 28, 2020
Keith Willingham
wrote
Ah yes! I have to lower it a bit. Thanks so much
Sep 30, 2020
Keith Willingham
wrote
Angie as a follow up. I did adjust the intake level according to the set up video. Although it’s only been running for 4 days, there’s a gurgle. Is that because it’s still in open position? I assume I don’t need to shorten the intake pipe? Thanks
Sep 30, 2020
Angie Brumfield
agent
wrote
Try priming the skimmer to purge the excess air out:
1. Turn off skimmer
2. Remove air silencer
3. With your thumb, plug the air hose so no air gets pulled into the skimmer
4. Turn on the skimmer
5. Let the skimmer fill up and run for a few minutes while keeping an eye on the inside and outflow of the skimmer. There should not be any air bubbles coming in/out of the skimmer. If you do, there may be an air leak and you need to tighten up the joints (manually, never use tools)
6. Once there is only water going in and out of the skimmer and it does not overflow (as it should not), then you can release the air hose and let air back into the skimmer.
7. Install the air silencer back and make sure you mount it up above water level.
Let me know if you have any other questions and I will be more than happy to assist you.
1. Turn off skimmer
2. Remove air silencer
3. With your thumb, plug the air hose so no air gets pulled into the skimmer
4. Turn on the skimmer
5. Let the skimmer fill up and run for a few minutes while keeping an eye on the inside and outflow of the skimmer. There should not be any air bubbles coming in/out of the skimmer. If you do, there may be an air leak and you need to tighten up the joints (manually, never use tools)
6. Once there is only water going in and out of the skimmer and it does not overflow (as it should not), then you can release the air hose and let air back into the skimmer.
7. Install the air silencer back and make sure you mount it up above water level.
Let me know if you have any other questions and I will be more than happy to assist you.
Oct 08, 2020
Keith Willingham
wrote
Hello. It has been about 2 weeks and I’m start to tune it up/close the valve to the proper level. But when I turned the pipe halfway, water perculates from the hole in the return elbow. Why is that?
Oct 08, 2020
Angie Brumfield
agent
wrote
Is it a lot of water coming through the hole or just a few droplets here and there?
Oct 08, 2020
Keith Willingham
wrote
Drops here and there but pretty consistent spouting. I get the impression that if I turn the pipe even more so the water height in the skimmer is correct it’ll probably get worse. Per your instructions the last time I did disassemble, check all connections and the gurgling stopped.
Oct 08, 2020
Keith Willingham
wrote
Thought... does it matter which direction I turn the pipe?
Oct 08, 2020
Angie Brumfield
agent
wrote
No it does not matter which way the pipe is turned. Did you priming the skimmer again? Some water coming out of the hole is normal, if it is pouring out, it is not. Your skimmer is still new and is still breaking in, please give it more time to completely break in.
Oct 08, 2020
Keith Willingham
wrote
Ok will give it another week before tuning. Thanks
Oct 08, 2020
Keith Willingham
wrote
I also didn’t realize some water should/would come from there. I might just make a silicone guard above it so no splash would get on the wall I floor (the Mrs. wouldn’t like that 😊)
Oct 08, 2020
Angie Brumfield
agent
wrote
We have had customers put a small diameter piece of tubing into the hole, leave it sticking out about 1/2" long, that a will prevent any water from leaking out while still allowing air to escape.
Oct 08, 2020
Keith Willingham
wrote
Like a coffee straw? That’s about the size of it
Oct 08, 2020
Angie Brumfield
agent
wrote
silicone tubing would be best, you can get some at your local hardware store or Home Depot
Oct 13, 2020
Keith Willingham
wrote
Hi Angie....last question I promise... do you have suggestions for intake and output tube length? My water level is relatively high and the intake tube is about 2.5” under water. Is that too long for optimal draw?
Oct 13, 2020
Angie Brumfield
agent
wrote
I am not sure what you are referring to...are you talking about the white silicone tubing?
Oct 13, 2020
Keith Willingham
wrote
No the gray intake tube itself. Not the degreaser cage.
Oct 13, 2020
Angie Brumfield
agent
wrote
That is too long, you need to cut it to make it shorter and then play around with it to find the optimal adjustment for your tank.
Oct 13, 2020
Keith Willingham
wrote
Ok will do.
I assume the output pipe’s length doesn’t matter as much? Or should it be about the same length as the intake pipe?
I assume the output pipe’s length doesn’t matter as much? Or should it be about the same length as the intake pipe?
Oct 13, 2020
Keith Willingham
wrote
Hello Angie.
I’ve spent the evening reading a lot of the questions in the HOB section. I think what a lot of people were looking for was information on how long the inlet pipe needs to be. The videos are good, but they only really address the basic set up of the body, priming, and degreaser cage level (for the 90, 1000 and 2000 hob). But none of them address how far down the inlet pipe should be. I have determined I need to cut some of mine off, but how much? Can you offer any guidance on that? Should it be an inch below the surface? Half inch? I’m not talking about the cage, I’m talking about the inlet pipe.
Thanks in advance for your guidance.
I’ve spent the evening reading a lot of the questions in the HOB section. I think what a lot of people were looking for was information on how long the inlet pipe needs to be. The videos are good, but they only really address the basic set up of the body, priming, and degreaser cage level (for the 90, 1000 and 2000 hob). But none of them address how far down the inlet pipe should be. I have determined I need to cut some of mine off, but how much? Can you offer any guidance on that? Should it be an inch below the surface? Half inch? I’m not talking about the cage, I’m talking about the inlet pipe.
Thanks in advance for your guidance.
Oct 14, 2020
Angie Brumfield
agent
wrote
The inlet needs to be at or near the surface so that it can surface skim, which would be under a half inch. The outlet needs to be close to the level of the intake so that the system is balanced.
Oct 14, 2020
Keith Willingham
wrote
Ok. So just for a visual is this what you’re saying? In other words, in my set up, I would shorten the pipe so that about a1/4” is submerged and the cage attaches to pretty much the edge of that so that the cage is also just below the surface?
Oct 14, 2020
Angie Brumfield
agent
wrote
Yes, you want to shorten the pipe but leave enough so that you can adjust the length if it ever needs to be shortened. You want the intake to be near the surface because it skims the surface of the water.