Reef Octopus BH-1000

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mikelombardo

Guest
Reef Octopus BH-1000 Review and Tips
First things first, this is a great hang on back (HOB) skimmer for smaller tanks. If you cannot sump and want to go reef or are want the best possible environment for your fish, this unit is a great place to start. Its rated for FOWLR tanks up to 100 or so gallons and great for reefs up to 40-55 gallons. After these dimensions, the BH-2000 is a great unit as a hang on back skimmer. I currently have a BH-1000 on a 30 gallon soon-to-be reef tank and it works very well. When I first set it up, however, I wasn't exactly sure what I was doing at all. Hopefully what I'm about to write can help anyone looking into getting the skimmer.
The point of a protein skimmer in short, is to filter out organic compounds before they decompose into harmful compounds such as ammonia (NH3) and Nitrogenous wastes. This lightens the load on the biological filtration and other filtration media. It works by creating bubbles, lots of bubbles. Proteins and amino acids are attracted to the water-air interface and cling to the bubbles. When the bubbles empty into the collection cup, they're taking with them these protein molecules that we dont want in our water and depositing minimal water so that the cup doesn't fill up very quickly, a win win for us aquarists!
Instruction manual:
The instruction manual for this unit was definitely not written by a native english speaker. The directions are in very broken English and do not make much sense if you are not familiar with protein skimming. Likely, such as in my case, this will be your first or one of your first protein skimmers. I rewrote the instructions in proper english with some real time experience behind it:
1.) The BH-1000 (and probably the BH-2000) will come mostly set up out of the box. You will need to connect the pump to the bottom and the air hose. Remember the O-Rings!
You will see a part (Part V. for the BH-1000) that is called the "silencer". This silencer goes on the end of the air hose after you get the pump working.
The collection cup O-ring will sit on the outside of the collection cup and sit right up against the opening where it comes out. (pictures tomorrow!)
Keep the collection cup at or slightly above the line that is on the unit. If you do not do this, the collection cup will fill with water and you will overflow. This is not a product malfunction, it is simply inexperience. Look at the picture below for a better idea.
The air hose has a place to go in between the Water Inlet and Water Outlet.
2.) Fill the skimmer chamber to about 8 inches, yes you can go more.
I recommend starting the unit with the collection cup in. Again, keep it above the overflow line (pictured).
Close the air valve and plug the unit in to start it.
After the water level starts to rise, begin to twist open the air valve, you need to do this quickly which is why I recommend using your finger. It will rise very quickly so be ready for this. Don't unplug the unit to stop it unless it is about to overflow because it will go down and balance out.
Keep in mind, you want the water to overflow at the overflow line >IN to the left chamber
Open the valve all the way, the pump will be running smoothly.
Remove the valve and put on the silencer piece.
-The cap comes off of the silencer and you will see the end that goes in to the air hose.
-Put the end in the air hose and then add the top over it.
Alternatively, you can put your finger over the end of the air hose until the water level rises and then slowly remove your finger, letting air in, until it is completely open.
3.) Adjust the collection cup so that bubbles gently rise up the tube in the collection cup. If bubbles are rising quickly and overflowing into the cup it is likely too much and will quickly fill.Keep an eye on this and get a feel for it. There are a few videos on Youtube that show how much should be overflowing. Keep in mind that the more that overflows, the quicker the cup will fill up. Either way it is a slow process, just bear in mind that if you have the cup too low (below the line on the actual unit) then you will get water in here and the cup to the side will overflow.
Take a look at the picture below, I labeled the parts so its easier to see


Lastly, keep it clean. Clean out the collection cup every week or even more depending on how much you're filtering out. The more you clean it, the more effective the unit will work.
This is a picture of a dirty collection cup, it is easiest to use warm water and a sponge when you clean it out.

If you have any questions or want a specific picture, feel free to ask!
Thanks for reading!
 
bignelsn747

bignelsn747

New Member
I have the 1000 and it's been running for 3 month. Lately it hasn't been skimming and I have what looks like an oil slick on the surface of my water. I cleaned the collection cup but it's still the same. Any suggestions?
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
that oil slick you see is a build up of proteins on the surface. Sounds like there isn't a whole lot of surface agitation. You should try to clean your skimmer out and make sure it's running properly and add more surface flow.
To get rid of the proteins built up on the surface of the water, try setting a paper towel on top and removing it quickly. It will remove some of the excess proteins.
How old is your tank?
 
bignelsn747

bignelsn747

New Member
Thanks for the quick reply. I really don't have anything creating a ripple on the surface. Today I'm gonna shut down the skimmer and give it a good cleaning. I will try the paper towel to get some of the protein out of the water. My tank is about 3 months old. On this skimmer do you have to cut the intake pipe so that it is closer to the top for better skimming?? Thanks again for your help
 
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mikelombardo

Guest
Good question, I was wondering that for a while myself but you do not. I've experimented by trying lower water levels having the intake pipe more exposed but it really made no difference at all. You may want to look into facing a power head to agitate the surface of the water as well.
Good luck and keep us updated!!
 
rn172

rn172

New Member
I am a new hobbyist. If I put the bh2000 on my 46 gal tank, can I eliminate one of my hob filters?
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by rn172 http:///t/393885/reef-octopus-bh-1000#post_3523377
I am a new hobbyist. If I put the bh2000 on my 46 gal tank, can I eliminate one of my hob filters?
You may be able to, but I would add the skimmer, then wait a month or two to evaluate just how much its doing for your system.
Skimmers and power filters do different jobs. My official recommendation would be to keep both running on the tank. A skimmer does nothing with regards to removing detritus from your system. The power filter will catch detritus in the filter floss. That filter floss can be removed from the filter weekly, this will keep it from just collecting on the floss and leaking nitrates and phosphates back into the system.
 
M

mikelombardo

Guest
I completely agree with the above reply, well said, they also move the water very differently.
Good luck with the skimmer!
 
shimmy619

shimmy619

New Member
I have a bh 100 and I can't really tell from your picture where the cup would sit because I don't see a line. however on mine I do see a hole right under the screw that holds the cup in place. Thanks for any help.
 
M

mikelombardo

Guest
I have a bh 100 and I can't really tell from your picture where the cup would sit because I don't see a line. however on mine I do see a hole right under the screw that holds the cup in place. Thanks for any help.
Yessir, that hole is for the overflow, it has to be higher than that.
It can't hurt to keep it higher than it needs to be, you can always adjust it lower depending on how much skimmate it's collecting.
Hope this helps!!
 
mr llimpid

mr llimpid

Member
For the guys who are getting film on the top of your tanks, it because you don't have an overflow that removes the top surface of water to a sump below. I have a tank like that so what I do is at water change time using a small pitcher skim of the surface water and discard, this will remove most of that film. Or add a star fish they love hanging at the surface using there suction cup arms feeding of the protein soup.

Very good review of the protein skimmer.
 
ivan m

ivan m

New Member
I just ordered the BH2000 along with an AC 110 for my new 75 gallon which i am making into a FOWLR tank. This will be my re-intro into saltwater world. I own a 90 gallon Malawi cichlid tank and a 180 gallon Frontosa tank. If all goes well for a year i may convert my 90 gallon as well to saltwater, i am not so much into reefs and love FO for some reason, the hobby appears to have gotten way better by leaps and bounds in the last 10 years or so.
 
mr llimpid

mr llimpid

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ivan M http:///t/393885/reef-octopus-bh-1000#post_3532549
I just ordered the BH2000 along with an AC 110 for my new 75 gallon which i am making into a FOWLR tank. This will be my re-intro into saltwater world. I own a 90 gallon Malawi cichlid tank and a 180 gallon Frontosa tank. If all goes well for a year i may convert my 90 gallon as well to saltwater, i am not so much into reefs and love FO for some reason, the hobby appears to have gotten way better by leaps and bounds in the last 10 years or so.
Don't forget to set up a QT and quarantine everything wet.
 
3dees

3dees

Member
I have just turned on my bh 2000. tank is in the last stages of cycling. every review I have read on this skimmer says it produces micro bubbles for a few days. I wonder if I have mine set up right because there are absolutely no micre bubbles coming into the tank. the skimmer seems to be working correctly even though there isn't much to skim. I'm just breaking it in.
 
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