Octopus 150 skimmer help

[giants4pc]

I have this on my 72 FOWLR tank. It's replacing a Pro Clear Aquatics skimmer that I never liked. So far, I can't adjust it right. I have tried with the output all the way down and have raised it a 1/4" at a time - still no skimmate and there was with the Pro Clear. It's been a full week now and I still can't get it right. Does anyone have one and know ideally how far up it should be set? The bubbles are mixing like crazy in the chamber, but the skimmate isn't rising into and over into the cup - and there is clearly enough crap with the fish.

[kaiser]

Which Octopus is it? PS or NW? You'll want to build another venturi like shown here. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1347113 there's also a lengthy thread about Octopus Mods. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=898776&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

[jkst06]

I just purchased the NW 150 for my 65 gal tank (+30 gal sump) for my new setup. Now that I own the darn thing, am I correct in understanding that in order for it to work, I have to modify it from "go"?

[kaiser]

No, not really. They do work right out of the box, but for some people that is not good enough and they start moding them. I would definetly do the venturi, because the one that comes with it is a joke and for about $3 and 5 min there is a hughe gain in performance.

[skimmy]

yep, it would take a half hour out of yout life to;

mesh mod the impellar
dremel out the pump outlet plumbing
mod the volute into a real venturi

but when your done your skimmer will have double the power.
annoying?? yes... but you paid $150 for a skimmer,
and you are making it perform like a $500 after some easy work.
not so bad:)

[hogall]

Didn't mean to hijack this post :D

Is there any mod for the recirculating version? I brought a DNW150 and was thinking about switching out the pump with an ehime 1260 - Any suggestions?

[matt880305]

hogall it is the same mods as all the rest of the skimmers. and just a note to all you guys these skimmers take 1 to 2 weeks to break in so just keep that in mind.
Matt

[giants4pc]

Mine is the NW 150 with the standard pump - I'm not really following the mod thread though. I know it should be simple, but I can't follow the posts.

[jkst06]

I can't follow them either, giants! I'm not the handiest person, but this mod stuff makes me feel like an idiot.