Reef Octopus bh 2000 HOB Skimmer Question

[36" x 18" x 16"]

just picked up this skimmer over the weekend for a great price, I'm pretty sure its an older octopus model but it didnt come with instructions to dial it in...does anyone have any experience with this skimmer or know if i'll need an air pump and if so what size? and how/where do i hook it up?

thanks guys

 

[Celticreefer]

skimmer

yea thats the exact skimmer i have and i got to say it is a beast. i bought it brand new and it still didnt come with instructions. it merely came with a picture of how all of the pieces fit together.

you have to fill back right corner chamber (one with top on) 8 inches high of tank water. then just make sure all parts are screwed in tight and plug it in. looking at the pics, i do not see the bubble stopper. it is a blue sponge that goes on top of the output pipe. it def helps as this thing creates lots of bubbles. let me know if have any more spec questions

 

[FOXYB]

Also you need to attach an air line from that grey nipple on the pump connector to the height of the collection cup you should see a holder for the air line

 

[36" x 18" x 16"]

okay thanks guys, I now have an air line hanging just below the cup with the provided black airline filter. But what I do not have is the sponge to prevent the bubbles from going out of the skimmer all over the place, my next move it to buy a sponge and cut to fit the area above the return tube, correct?

Celtic, its not the black sponge at the bottom correct?

 

[FOXYB]

When o used mine I only use the black sponge and ditched that soon after have your run it yet? If not do so and see if you get microbubbles back in the tank

 

[36" x 18" x 16"]

it will be running in my sump so we'll have to wait and see if any bubbles get into the main tank but i doubt they will...just made a modification due to the fact the overflow for the skimmer wouldnt reach my water line in the sump. pics to follow shortly

 

[FOXYB]

i also didnt use the overflow for the skimmer just ran the intake tube straight into the water. this was on the back of my solana and the intake was behind the false wall which the water already overflowed into much like your how your tank the water must over flow to get to your sump.

 

[Celticreefer]

skimmer

i left the black sponge where i found it inside the left chamber. i think that is where it is suppose to be. there is a blue sponge that goes on top of the output pipe. so no the black sponge and blue sponge are not for same purpose.

here is a good forum with pics of it:

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/equipment/51445-reef-octopus-bh-2000-hob.html

 

[saltwaterB]

as Bijan said most people ditch the blue sponge right away and eventually the black one too. Once they break in they hardly put any microbubbles into the tank. and if it is your sump you should not have to worry about this at all.
As far as dialing it in...really all you do is adjust the airflow witha needle valve and raise or lower the height of the collection cup based on the type of skimming you wish to do. (dry skim - raise the cup, wet skim - lower the cup)

 

[Reef-Ski]

I have the BH1000.

I do not use either of the sponges. If the skimmer is new it will take a few weeks to break in. During this time expect micro bubbles.

Watch out when starting the skimmer, make sure the air line is closed or it will overflow. After the skimmer is running adjust the air line to increase bubble formation.