How Reef Specialty Mesh-Mods a Octopus Extreme Sicce Impeller

[JRaquatics]

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo164/reefspecialty/Meshmod_1.jpg

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo164/reefspecialty/Meshmod_3.jpg

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo164/reefspecialty/Meshmod_4.jpg

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo164/reefspecialty/Meshmod_5.jpg

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo164/reefspecialty/Meshmod_6.jpg

[JRaquatics]

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo164/reefspecialty/Meshmod_7.jpg

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo164/reefspecialty/Meshmod_8.jpg

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo164/reefspecialty/Meshmod_9.jpg

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo164/reefspecialty/Meshmod_10.jpg

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo164/reefspecialty/Meshmod_11.jpg

[JRaquatics]

All photos taken by Jim Memije (bubbletip2).
Thanks again Jim for all your help.

[tangtang clown]

Thank you. This was probably the most beneficial thread on the entire site. I have been doing mesh for a couple months, but this would have been invaluable to me 6 months ago. AWESOME!!!

[JRaquatics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14106275#post14106275 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tangtang clown
Thank you. This was probably the most beneficial thread on the entire site. I have been doing mesh for a couple months, but this would have been invaluable to me 6 months ago. AWESOME!!!

Thank you. Your a professional at it now.

It was pointed out to me on another thread that the mesh was not trimmed out in the center. This has to be done prior to placing the disk on the impeller.

Here is a shot of the finished product.
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo164/reefspecialty/meshmod.jpg

[LuisC]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14109932#post14109932 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JRaquatics
Thank you. Your a professional at it now.

It was pointed out to me on another thread that the mesh was not trimmed out in the center. This has to be done prior to placing the disk on the impeller.

Here is a shot of the finished product.
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo164/reefspecialty/meshmod.jpg


Jeremy ,

This is an AWESOME thread. My hat is off to you for taking your time out to do this. I am Happy to be an Octo Extreme owner but I am also a new MSX owner as well.

What I don't understand is people run to these forums and talk about problems but no one can ever post a pic of the issue. So they want you to pull out your crystal ball to guess their problem without seeing anything :lol: .

I don't understand how people can spend so much money in this hobby and do not even own a camera. Heck I own 4 myself and that is the easiest and fastest way to get help in this day of age..


End of Rant :eek::)

[tangtang clown]

Luis, do you have the MSX yet?

[shikhyung]

How many layer of mesh to be effective? thanks

[JRaquatics]

We use 3 layers of flatback. You can use more or less but the more mesh material that is on the wheel the more likely you will have start up problems.

[JRechcygl]

THATS the stock Sicce paddlewheel?!?!? What a joke!!

You are never going to believe it but I found that on my kids play shop engine!!! I thought it was eerily similar in dimensions to my PPW by ATB, but wow!! Nice to know Mattel or Hasbro uses the same Chinese, cough Italian manufactor when making kids toys!!!
I already modded it touting it the Czech Yellow Hasbro wheel!!

[ReefDoberman]

I have a question on the layers of mesh. In the picture it just looks like one cut of the mesh pad tied down but did you actually layer multiple cuts on top of one another?

[JRaquatics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15374342#post15374342 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefDoberman
I have a question on the layers of mesh. In the picture it just looks like one cut of the mesh pad tied down but did you actually layer multiple cuts on top of one another?

In the picture it is actually 3 layers of mesh. We cut them into proportional squares prior to mounting.

[Justdrew]

Any pics or tips for cutting out the center of the mesh?

Thanks
Drew

[tangtang clown]

I use tiny side cutters.
I just made a wheel yesterday using 6 layers trimmed fairly close to the wheel, but still hanging off some, and it started right up and is pulling about 40scfh @ 31 watts. So far so good.

[AcroporAddict]

I have read other threads on this mod that say you need to enlarge the venturi on the pump to allow for more air. Have you guys done this as well? Is the mesh mod effective without enlarging the Venturi?
Dave

[JRaquatics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15410625#post15410625 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AcroporAddict
I have read other threads on this mod that say you need to enlarge the venturi on the pump to allow for more air. Have you guys done this as well? Is the mesh mod effective without enlarging the Venturi?
Dave that is with other companies venturis and/or other pumps entirely. the ones on the octo extreme are a good fit for maximum air.

[AcroporAddict]

Thanks again Jeremy. I don't like making mods that can't be reversed.
Dave

[AcroporAddict]

I did the mesh mod. Used 4 layers of enkamat flat. I used 4 small cable ties to hold it in place.

I have to blow into the air intake to start it. I don't like that. I'm wondering if I should remove the cable ties and use fishing line like you do to reduce the weight of the flywheel, or maybe remove one layer of enkamat for three total, or do both things?

In case the power went out and started back up, can the cavitation of the magnet hurt the pump if I'm not there to blow into the intake to get it going again?

I also ordered the large purple pinwheel from you guys for comparison.
Dave

[tangtang clown]

I used to be attached to zipties, but I have seen the light and fishy line is the way to go :)

[JRaquatics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15415117#post15415117 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AcroporAddict
I did the mesh mod. Used 4 layers of enkamat flat. I used 4 small cable ties to hold it in place.

I have to blow into the air intake to start it. I don't like that. I'm wondering if I should remove the cable ties and use fishing line like you do to reduce the weight of the flywheel, or maybe remove one layer of enkamat for three total, or do both things?

In case the power went out and started back up, can the cavitation of the magnet hurt the pump if I'm not there to blow into the intake to get it going again?

I also ordered the large purple pinwheel from you guys for comparison.
Dave

4 layers of mesh can be tricky to get started without a little help on the user end. I personally prefer the LPPW better than the mesh.

[AcroporAddict]

Last night I came in and found that the mesh option had totally overflowed my skimmer (Octo 160 xtreme) with the wedge pipe completely open. Reminds me a lot of what happened when I added the Reef Specialty pinwheel to my Orca 200. Thank God I already had the pro collection cup.

I reinstalled the stock needle wheel and will wait to receive the LPPW and see how that does.

[tangtang clown]

Why would the mesh make your skimmer overflow if you had it wide open?
What water depth is your skimmer sitting in?

[AcroporAddict]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15421153#post15421153 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tangtang clown
Why would the mesh make your skimmer overflow if you had it wide open?
What water depth is your skimmer sitting in?

It is sitting in a constant 8.25"of water. The skimmer has only been in the tank for a couple weeks, and it may just have been coincidence that it broke in around the same time I added the mesh wheel.

It looked like a case a case of the mesh wheel working too well.

[Buganddoug]

What would be the best mesh to get and who sells it?"

[JRaquatics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15438755#post15438755 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Buganddoug
What would be the best mesh to get and who sells it?"

I prefer Flat Back Enkamat (http://www.reefspecialty.com/Protein-Skimmers-Accessories/c21_64/p333/Enkamat-7210-Flat-Bottom-Mesh-Wheel-Material-approx-12_-x-12_/product_info.html) . Most online stores like ourselves sell it.

[bimboa]

Thanks jeremy.
Thanks for all information, i just bought a octopus xtreme 2000 a month ago anda i decided to try wiht the normal impeller at first and then change to a mesh mod just for compare twoo sistems.
But today a try (tanks to you) to do a mesh mode and the only problem i have is to remove the pin weel from teh impeller for replace with te mesh mode and after half an hour to try i give up, i coulnd't do it, so if you can tell me or show with some pictures how to do ti is going to be wonderfull.
Please escuse me my english but try to domy best I'm from El Salvador.

[bkd067]

Marine Solutions has a great video on how to open a sicce pump and how to replace the impeller on a sicce pump. Here are the links. Hope they help.

http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/catalog/pages.php?pID=17&CDpath=10

http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/catalog/pages.php?pID=18&CDpath=10

[bimboa]

Thanks bkd067 thats exactly wath i need.

[Holyreefer]

so does this mod really make a difference?

[tangtang clown]

yup. HUGE

[Holyreefer]

what size whole is that drilled in the impeller?

[tangtang clown]

Just big enough to get the zip tie or fishing line through. Doesn't really matter, just make them all the same size.

[Holyreefer]

So what type of improvements am i looking at if i complete this mod?

[tangtang clown]

More air, more skim, more happy

[JRaquatics]

With the mesh mod you will get more airpull, finer bubble density which will increase performance of your skimmer. The down side is the maintenance of the mesh wheel. You will have to keep an eye on your skimmer to determine when the mesh needs to be trimmed back or replaced. I recommend getting a killawatt to determine when the mesh needs attention. As for the hole size I like larger holes because they are easier to thread the fishing line through.

[MarlinHooker]

Can you buy the mesh mods pre-made? if, so how much do they go for? thanks

[tangtang clown]

If you have the wheel, buy some mesh, fishing line, and do it yourself. It is fun.

[ziyaadb]

how many holes should be drilled through? I am thinking of doing this to a 980Gph quite one pump to replace the current otp3000 on my 09 NW200

[kvmn]

what airfull # are we expecting after the mod? i am thinking to sell sicce250 and buy bubble blaster but i don't know is that a right way to go or just mod it,,or buy purple large pin wheel?

[JRaquatics]

Depends on how much mesh is used. You can see # from 20scfh all the way to 60scfh but the higher the number the greater chances for start-up trouble.

[tangtang clown]

Go with the Bubble Blaster. I have one on my octo x 200.

[DiazE]

Has your sicce pump stopped working all of a sudden with the mod? It's been a common occurance with the large purple pinwheel.