Octo NW 150 Help

[marinebarn]

My skimmer won't start unless I blow into the air tube and give it a jump start. If power flickers then my skimmer doesn't run until I correct it. Is there a mod I could do to correct this? I have an OCT-NW-150 and I'm pretty happy with the performance other than that.

[JRaquatics]

How long has the skimmer been running? Any mods done to it?

[Reefbox]

ya.......put the air intake line into the skimmer cup to suck in wet moist air. problem solved. its that ez.


The problem is dry salts build up in the line and plug it. pull in wet humid air and problem gone.

[marinebarn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14258996#post14258996 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JRaquatics
How long has the skimmer been running? Any mods done to it?

6-7 months. No Mods done.

It's never started on its own. Even out of the box I had to blow on the tube to get it to start, but once it's running it never stops unless it loses power.

I was told once it broke in it would begin starting on its own. Hasn't happened yet.

[JRaquatics]

Have you inspected the Impeller? How deep is the water it sits in?

[marinebarn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14267871#post14267871 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JRaquatics
Have you inspected the Impeller? How deep is the water it sits in?

Yes Impeller looks fine with no noticable damage. Water is 11" deep.

I take it this isn't a common problem?

[seawandrr]

My bone stock NW-150 with a needle wheel has never started either... in shallow to deep water, whatever. So I dunno if it's common, but you're not the only one.

After 2 years I finally meshed it, since it won't start on it's own anyway, and sure enough, it won't start that way either :)

[marinebarn]

Well, misery does love company.

[JRaquatics]

Easy fix. This is pretty common with mold impellers to hug the shaft to the point it does not spin easily back and forth which causes start up problems and noise. The procedure can be found here:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1558034

[marinebarn]

Thanks. I'll give that a try.