to all you skimmer experts, help !

[dabears1983]

I have a octopus ps120 recirclelating skimmer , , After a 3-layer meshmod to the impeller, a 3/8" airline & venturi enlargement, I have to skim very dry, I dont have a air meter yet, but if I take take the silencer off the air intake becomes extremely loud, I seem to get the most air if the water level is about 1 in below the neck , the skimmate is black and nasty smelling, but I barely collect a 1/4 in in a week. Now if I raise the water level to the neck, I lose alot of air, the bubles in the skimmer go from milky white to almost clear, and so i`m desperate, i`m starting to get hair algea in my tank even with a phosphate filter and bi-monthly 25% water changes, R/O water( new filters, 0 tds). I only have a small anthias, a black cap basslet and a small clown, and the usual reef cleaners, So as you can see Im at a lost, thanks guys in advance for you help...

[dabears1983]

bump

[dabears1983]

come on guys 53 views and no responses, where is luke when you need him, too bad he has moved on ?

[dabears1983]

bump again

[inachu]

unmod the skimmer?

[wsboyette]

You ENLARGED the venturi ? Certainly that would increase the bubble size and thereby reduce the skimmer's efficiency. Best always to stick with the manufacturer's design; at least you could return it if it doesn't work...

[schneijt]

I'd probably post this in the octopus mod thread. I don't have experience modding the Octo skimmers, but there are lots and lots of people who have done it and posted their results in the thread. They can probably help you figure out where things went wrong.

Best of luck,
Joe