reef octopus bh100f help

[ordi260]

Hi!  I installed my new reef octopus skimmer yesterday and it makes a terrible noise. I filled it in with water before starting it, air intake is plugged in the silencer and water is going through the unit.  Lots of bubbles in tje reaction chamber but the pump is still shaking / rattling like crazy and intermitent slurps are also occuring.  The collection cup is very high (not gathering anything) because im sorta affraid it might overflow...what should i do? Anyone has that model or similar?

[nissannx]

i don't have any experience with that skimmer but if its making a bad sound have you tried calling who you bought it  off of to see what you can do to fix it.

[huynhle]

Is it the motor? or is it the whole unit itself? if its the unit try repositioning it...if its the motor....make sure its positioned correctly in the unit...dont be afraid of it overflowing that model generally stops skimming when the water level in the cup reaches a certain volume ( based on personal experience)....and you should let it skim, that way it will remove wtv is causing it to overskim....which usually happens after a water change.

[ordi260]

Is it the motor? or is it the whole unit itself? if its the unit try repositioning it...

The unit is leveled and seated properly.  I tried to move it from right to left to make sure...it really is stable...

The sound is a mix of rattling and vibration i would say...

[Maxthecat]

Hey, I have a 1000 model and I had similar problems. First, the collection cup can't realy overflow so I would not worry to much there. Just lower it a little bit over the "skimming wet" point, if you know what I mean. Since the skimmer is new, it will take a couple of days before it becomes efficient, so don't panic (you have your towel, right?)

On a second note, I don't like the sound it's making. I would suggest dissassembling the skimmer and inspecting all the parts of the motor, maybe you did something wrong. Check the impeller, make sure the rubber caps are in and that it's tigh and secure. Needless to say, they do make a bit of noise. It's a skimmer after all.

If it still makes a hellish sound after that, then you have found your problem, a defective impeller. Iknow because I had one too. I could hear the skimmer from outside my appartement... fun times. So if that's the case, send a e-mail to coralvue and tell them the problem and they will send you a new impeller in a matter of days 

I must admit that they have great customer service... but their products are prone to manufacture defect... but they still make the best skimmers... without paying 1000$

Patrick

[ordi260]

I would suggest dissassembling the skimmer and inspecting all the parts of the motor, maybe you did something wrong. Check the impeller, make sure the rubber caps are in and that it's tigh and secure

How do i take the pump out of there???

[ordi260]

Alright...ive figured it out, ran clear water though it...reassembled. 
Didn't found anything weird...everything appeared to be at the right place!
I made sure that no tubing / pipe / pump are touching the "walls".
Restarted the unit and...
...
...
...
same problem... how can i know if the impeller is defective???
Maybe ill just wait like a week with the big noise, maybe it will break in...(i would be surprised tho...i can hear the sound in my bedroom (at least 30 feet away).

[ordi260]

I have one more question...

how do i know if the collection cup is properly placed?  The white bubbles are now going up and down in the collection cup's tube but there is nothing falling in it!

[Maxthecat]

You know that the impeller is defective because it sounds like a tractor. Thats what is making the sound, no doupt about it. Try it for a week, it won't change. If it does, well good, but that would suprise me. Still, send an email to coralvue, they might have an other answer for you that i don't. It's their product after all.

As for the collection cup, it's gonna take a few days before the skimmer breaks in. You only want foam, not water to come out. When the skimmer will be adjusted to your water, you will have a "dry" foam. Adjust the collection box there and then. Until then, just make sure it's not skimming wet to much. You should not have a steady stream of foam comming out the tube, that's too much. The foam will rise up and down and will eject the crap out every now and then. That's how it works... it "skims" it off the top

[Maxthecat]

Also keep in mind that skimmer do make a bit of noise

[redbelly]

Its takes a few days for skimmer to start to pull and a week to fully break in. Every skimmer on the market has to go through this, so be patient.

If you have bubble inside the riser in the collection cup then it sounds like its close to the right adjustment. Give it a few days to break it before you try and tune it in though.

If you are only getting solid waste in the collection cup riser then lower the cup.

If the skimmate looks like water or a light tea then raise the cup.

Aim for a dark tea colored skimmate.



Now if you are having impeller issues and the thing is crazy loud then bring it by this weekend. We should have replacement impellers in stock and if its still making a lot of noise we can fix it right here for you. I will show you this weekend too how to remove and service the pump.