PPW Modification

[evergreenreeftank]

OK, I am finally getting close to getting my new Octo Extreme 200 I got from you guys going. I bought the PPW and now need to get it installed in the pump. Do you guys have any step by step instructions? Pictures would be great too, I am far from "handy".

Thanks guys.

[jwilliams860]

Its really easy to do, if you go to RS website they have instructions for swapping out the stock wheel for the mesh wheel, but in your case just replace with the PPW

[evergreenreeftank]

I can't seem to find the instructions for installing the wheel, just for modifying the wheel to use mesh. I want to make sure I take the pump apart correctly, hate to mess up my brand new monster skimmer and pump!

[JRaquatics]

First take a pair of rubber handle pliers and jam the handle end within the slots of the volute cover. With care and a little elbow grease turn the cover counter clockwise. The cover will rotate up a slope to be removed. Be careful when removing the cover from the volute to not break the impeller. Once the cover is removed, pull the pinwheel out and remove the shaft from the impeller and magnet and place it aside for now. You can either take a pair of pliers and pull upwards on the yellow pinwheel retainer, or you can firmly place two finger around the pinwheel and pull outwards to pop the retainer (take care that you don't loose the retainer. Once the pinwheel is removed place the new Wheel on and make sure it rotates freely, it should swing side to side with little effort. If the wheel rotates freely then place the retainer back on top of the wheel until it snaps holding the pinwheel in place. Then place the shaft back inside the magnet and install into the pump. Make sure when placing the volute cover back onto the pump that the shaft is set into the bottom and top sockets (one located in the volute cover and the other on the bottom of the pump). I also recommend using silicone lube to grease the o-ring on the volute cover prior to re-positioning the cover to the pump. This will make it easier for you to service the pump in the future. I also recommend replacing the stock airline hose to a more rigid and slightly larger ID (inside diameter).

[jwilliams860]

Oh ok I thought it showed how to take apart the pump itself, you basically remove the pump from teh skimmer at the union point. then you remove the bottom part of the pump where the air intake is, you turn it counter clockwise and the bottom half comes out, and the wheel assembly is right there.You take the wheel and magnetic impeller out, and remove the cap thats on top of the wheel, it just pops off, then you swap the PPW in its place put the small cap back on and put it all back together.

[evergreenreeftank]

Thanks guys, will give it a go this weekend. Jeremy, is there a type of airline hose you recommend?

[Mcubed]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15550478#post15550478 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by evergreenreeftank
Thanks guys, will give it a go this weekend. Jeremy, is there a type of airline hose you recommend?

I'm wondering about this too?

[JRaquatics]

I will check tonight on the specific type/size of airline works best.

[JRaquatics]

I suggest getting a length of 9/16 0D x 3/8 ID vinyl hose for a airline. This hose is quite a bit bulkier so it is more rigid and won't kink as easy + it has a larger inside diameter than the line the extreme skimmer comes stock with. Those hose can be picked up at any hardware store.

[evergreenreeftank]

Thanks Jeremy, I am setting everything up this weekend! Can't wait. I still need to install that PPW too!