Oct 20, 2014
Donna
wrote
Just got a Reef Octopus Classic 160-INT, it is leaking between the collection pump and the reaction chamber. Do you think the O ring is defective or is this normal?
Reply
6 Answers
Oct 20, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
Donna,
Can you please send me pictures or a video of the skimmer running? It is not normal for the skimmer to leak in that area.
Can you please send me pictures or a video of the skimmer running? It is not normal for the skimmer to leak in that area.
Oct 20, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
Can you also provide me with the following information:
1. What size tank (not including sump)
2. How long has the skimmer been running for?
3. How deep are you running the skimmer? (water depth)
4. Is the gate valve mostly closed or mostly opened?
Thank you,
1. What size tank (not including sump)
2. How long has the skimmer been running for?
3. How deep are you running the skimmer? (water depth)
4. Is the gate valve mostly closed or mostly opened?
Thank you,
Oct 20, 2014
Donna
wrote
90 gallon, running for 4 days, 7 1/2 inches, adjusted to where the water if coming up to the neck, just under the collection cup
Oct 20, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
ok, you are running the water level inside the skimmer too high. The skimmer is not going to collect from the first time you install it as it needs to break in. During the break in period (3 weeks) you need to run the skimmer with the valve all the way open. After the break in period then you can start to tune the skimmer so that the foam (not water) level is just above the neck. The o-ring is mean to keep the foam from leaking and not actual water.
Please open up the gate valve so the skimmer is not running so high (inside water level) and then allow the skimmer to break in. Do not try to force it to collect because it will only end up leaking and overflowing.
Please open up the gate valve so the skimmer is not running so high (inside water level) and then allow the skimmer to break in. Do not try to force it to collect because it will only end up leaking and overflowing.
Oct 20, 2014
Donna
wrote
Its been running 3 1/2 days, it is not collecting.
Oct 20, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
It won't collect for now as it is breaking in. The skimmer will take 3 weeks to break in. During this period, the skimmer will act very erratic and will collect and then will go for days without collecting. It is just the process of breaking in. This is a time where you will need to be a little patient and let the skimmer do it's thing. If you try to tune the skimmer right now, it will just act erratically and frustrate you. That is why we recommend leaving the skimmer wide open and just letting it be. By you increasing the water level inside the skimmer (closing the gate valve) you are trying to force the skimmer to collect. During this time, if you try to do that, you will end up with overflowing issues as well as leaking as the skimmer is not made to be running with that high of inner water level.
Please open up the valve and let the skimmer be for the next three weeks and let the skimmer go through the break in process. After that, I can promise you that you will be able to tune the skimmer without any issues and the skimmer will collect often.
Please open up the valve and let the skimmer be for the next three weeks and let the skimmer go through the break in process. After that, I can promise you that you will be able to tune the skimmer without any issues and the skimmer will collect often.