Octopus Extreme 200: Sicce PSK-2500 Issue

I got the skimmer Friday. I also got the ATB PPW for the pump. I installed it in my sump filled it up to the appropriate level of water and turned it on. Worked like a champ, tornado of bubbles like I expected and have seen in youtube videos of the skimmer online.

I turned it off for a while to finish filling the rest of the tank. Tried turning it back on yesterday, and I'm not getting anywhere near the output from the pump anymore. It IS running and producing bubbles, but only at a fraction of what it did the day before. I blew into the air intake to make sure it was getting air, checked for a tight connection, took it out and apart to check for any trouble in the pump. I can't tell why its not producing like it did on Friday. The exit tube on the skimmer has to be almost closed for the water level in the skimmer to rise. I've tried running it in various depths of water from 7"-10" without any difference. Like I said it is running, and quietly, just not producing anything like it should or did the day before. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

It's running backwards. The 2500 has a directional volute. As a water pump it isn't a problem, but with a needle wheel, when it starts backwards, it does not flow the same as forwards.

Plug it in a few times till you get it right. After it runs a while it starts right a lot more.

 

How new is the tank? I read that you finished filling the tank... If that means filling like initial filling this will also present issue with bubble production. My Octo 200 always slows down skimming for a bit after a water change. Couple that with your NEW skimmer and a potentially new tank, I can't imagine its running how it should be. My Octo took a while to break in and skim like a beast.

 

Thanks powerman, that definitely sounds like the problem. I'll try it a few more times tonight. Is there anyway to force it turn the right way?

Dr Frag, Its just filled with RO/DI water for a system/plumbing test. No bio load at all, so i'm not looking for any skim, just looking for proper bubble production and system flow with no leaks.

 

There is no way. All of our aquarium pumps can run both ways, it's just that the impellers force them right the way they are shaped. Needle wheels change that.

On mine I will admit it was a little frustrating at first. New skimmer, didn't know what was "normal" ect.... took many times to get a right start. But now it's probably 80% and I know it right off anyway. You foam head will not be where it was before. The good thing is that it still works in the wrong direction, just not as well. So if the power goes out and comes back, no big deal till you get to it.

I have a different skimmer but same pump with original directional volute. You will have inconsistent results with new water till you get everything figured out down the road.

 

This is driving me crazy! I keep trying and it keeps spinning in the wrong direction! I've even put the stock pinwheel on it and the same thing. Any ideas??

 

Well as Dr. Frag said, it is going to be tough with new water. I realize you are not looking for "foam", just bubbles....

But it is going to be tough seeing a difference between forward/backward with all new SW. It could very well be going right. About all you can do is set the water level to a specific place, up in the neck a bit to put some back pressure on the pump. The level will be there, then whether it is right or wrong, try to make a few starts stops and let it settle to see if the level changes up or down and go with that. The change is probably not going to be much.

A air meter helps because regardless of water level, the meter tells you what your air draw is and that is a sure thing.

Honestly, I would not wory about it too much now. Just let it run and get your system cycled and running. Now that mine is broke in, it isn't that big of a deal. Hell, I have to start/stop it 8 or 9 times just to get a backward start to now I was right the other 8 times.;D And that is only because I've been doing a lot of testing on stuff.

 

Oh ya... you said you went back to the stock wheel..... well the difference between the ppw and stock is about the same difference between forward and back. So you could vary welll be going right with the stock and that is all you are going to get. Not the forward with the purple you saw before.

 

Its the same with the stock wheel or the PPW. I know the tank isnt "broken in" or anything, but I'm telling you, the first time i turned that thing on it looked like this:
Skimmer Video
Skimmer Video 2

Nice fine milky mixture i cant see through. Now its only barely blowing half the chamber with large bubbles with either pinwheel.

There is NO salt water in the tank right now, its just pure RO/DI water.

 

So was there any salt water when you first tried it? You just had RO water then turned it off and filled it up the rest of the way with RO water?

It is going to be very hard to determin anything at this point. Salt water uses foam fractioning because salt water properties are different than fresh. Salt water bubbles better for the lack of a scientific explaination. I don't think RO water is going to tell you anything usefull.