Protein Skimmer Help...I bought the Octopus

bmorefisher9

bmorefisher9

Member
I need some help setting this thing up its a HOB Octopus 100 and I got the thing and the instructions are so vauge basically just a picture with parts. I have it on the tank and have questions:
The air hose that goes to the top I am guessing that needs to be trimmed down to the water level? And the Silencer will sit on top of that floating in the water? The collection cup I have it all the way as low as it can go and that makes the open on the bottom of the collection cup level with the water is this correct? I see stuff floating in the skimmer but not making it's way to the cup.
Anyone that has this type of skimmer help would be great thanks a bunch !
 
nycbob

nycbob

Active Member
the airhose shouldnt be trimmed down. nothing should be in the water except the pump and water return outlet. the air silencer should be next to the collection cup with the air hose attached to it. it takes time for the skimmer to break in.
 
zmydust

zmydust

Member
Yes, no need to trim the hose. There is a bracket up towards the top of the unit that is designed to snap the hose into to keep it up.
I wouldn't reccomend starting as low as possible. Put the bottom of the cup to the top line of the black bracket that attaches to the tank. Let it run for 24 hours and I guarantee the foam will build up enough to put some black goo in the cup. It'll take a week of running to break in and really crank.
 
zmydust

zmydust

Member
This was after running a few weeks on my 35g and the day after I put in 10 more lbs of New Live Rock. Dont expect it to fill up like this right away, but thats what its capable of. Also see the tube.

 
bmorefisher9

bmorefisher9

Member
Thanks I left it running over night has been on less then 24 hours, and left the air hose as is and I am getting the "green goo" seems to be working just fine amazed!!!! There was a blue sponge that came with it does anyone know where this goes? I will getting more LR to hide this pump.
 
bmorefisher9

bmorefisher9

Member
Just a update for those thinking about getting a skimmer...best thing I have gotten. Works like a champ I am getting a collection of green goo and the tank is so clear! Love this thing
 
jgjk

jgjk

New Member
Random question about the skimmer, It has only been a few days so I am going to give it time but does anyones pump pulse instead of making a steady stream of water. Not really sure how to explain it.
 
zmydust

zmydust

Member
Originally Posted by jgjk
http:///forum/post/3075581
Random question about the skimmer, It has only been a few days so I am going to give it time but does anyones pump pulse instead of making a steady stream of water. Not really sure how to explain it.
I know what you're saying. Mine did this for a day or two. It didn't pull foam when it was pulsing. Honestly, I used the old pound it with the fist out of frustration and it smoothed out. True story. I think I also may have pulled off the intake cover and cleaned it.
I don't thing the pump is the strong part of the skimmer. I have read some bad things, saying they don't last long.. Mine has been working strong for almost 3 months tho.
 
jgjk

jgjk

New Member
it turns out there was an air bubble that was causing the pulsing. now it is working almost too good. My entire tank is filled with the micro bubbles, and I cant get it to stop..
 
zmydust

zmydust

Member
Mine stopped making microbubbles after a few days. The output always makes some bubbles, but it's pointed towards the glass and it's minimal.
 
jgjk

jgjk

New Member
I read that but this filled my entire tank with bubbles it was out of control. Now it started leaking so i took it down to tighten the joints. This thing is not going well for me, I dont know what to do. The instructions suck so I dont know if I am doing something wrong or if it is a bad pump or what?
 
zmydust

zmydust

Member
Where is it leaking from? I don't think you're doing anything wrong, it's fairly plug and play. I wouldn't be surprised if the pump is bad or going bad.
 
jgjk

jgjk

New Member
that is really beat since I just got it like 3 days ago. Any idea what to do, I am going to give it one more try tomorrow if that doesnt work then I give up.
 
jgjk

jgjk

New Member
found the problem......
One of the seals from the factory was installed wrong causing extra air to enter the pump which is why there so many bubbles. It was basically running the airline wide open with no control. Now that I resealed the gaskets it no longer pulses leaks or puts out a tank full of bubbles. There are still bubbles but i will give it time to break in like everyone says....
 
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