HELP with Reef Octopus sss-3000int

[Lexy]

Your skimmer's pump have a build in monitoring safety switch. If there is any slight internal pressure changes inside the impeller casing or air intake restriction or motor faulty it will show down the rotation and eventually stop. Your water level must have a constant level. Since you replaced the impeller, did u check if the impeller magnet, if there is any hair line crack? From your picture, air intake line look good and not pinch. Try to unplug the power and let it sit for 5 - 10 mins, then power it back. It should run in full capacity or sometime it lagging. If it doing it again, I think it skimmer pump is the problem.

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by Lexy

Your skimmer's pump have a build in monitoring safety switch. If there is any slight internal pressure changes inside the impeller casing or air intake restriction or motor faulty it will show down the rotation and eventually stop. Your water level must have a constant level. Since you replaced the impeller, did u check if the impeller magnet, if there is any hair line crack? From your picture, air intake line look good and not pinch. Try to unplug the power and let it sit for 5 - 10 mins, then power it back. It should run in full capacity or sometime it lagging. If it doing it again, I think it skimmer pump is the problem.

Its not a matter of a pinched line, if you look at the internal chamber of the venturi, the airline tube pertrudes into the chamber. In actual fact it is maybe 2mm away from the inner wall. So there is a major restriction here. Salt creep, snails, dust, crud will also easily plug it.

Looking forward to the new part, and hopefully a skimmer that works!

[RuGlu6]

Wow, this took some time to figure out (glad you did).
I have exact same pump Bubble Blaster 3000 the newest version. And it makes my skimmer insanely powerful. I i get around to upload the pics and video i will post it.
It is a cone but not a SRO, design is similar to vertex. Water level is very stable in mine though.

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=76429
I have replaced oem pump with Bubble Blaster 3000 for more air intake volume, oem was 700l/h BB3000 is up to 1400l/h.

And it seems a little too powerful for the skimmer size, so as you also noticed there is a lot of turbulence in the reaction chamber even though there is a diffusion plate on the pump output fitting.

So my solution to it was a plastic netting rolled in to a reaction chamber to reduce the turbulence as well as air intake control to reduce bubble size and turbulence.

Also a very good practice is to unplug the skimmer every time you clean a collection cup so your ventury is getting soaked and cleaned more frequently.

[globaldesigns]

If it isn't one thing, it's another...

FedEx has actually lost the shipment (the new venturi). They have no clue where it is, and it was last scanned in Saint Paul, MN.

Good ole delivery service, charge alot, don't deliver and they really didn't care. Now Jeremy @ Coralvue is trying to find it, or he will have to send another.

One day I may get this skimmer running properly!

[globaldesigns]

Still no part, FedEx can't find it and the manufacturer has no more parts until they receive their next shipment, so they can't ship another.

This just sucks!

[RuGlu6]

Thx for the update keep us in the info loop regardless.

[Delphinus]

If it's not one thing it's another! Good luck..

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

If it's not one thing it's another! Good luck..

You ain't kidding... We need to get together, call me when you have time.

[globaldesigns]

My spidey senses are tingling... UPS has received part in Calgary, to be delivered by end of day. I am so excited, like a kid in a candy store.

Thanks to Jeremy @ coralvue... he found a part from a LFS in the U.S. for me, and rushed it out.

[globaldesigns]

YIPPEEE! Got the part!!!!


First test: using mouth blow through it... compare to old venturi... Gotta say that it is about double the air flow, easy.

Second test: Using mouth to blow through it, but have kids tell me which one is better. and they don't know what is new or old. This way I know it isn't my cenial mind playing tricks on me. Both kids picked the new part

Installed on skimmer and put back in sump. It has been in a vinegar bath all day, and I gotta say wow!!! Much more bubbles than before, and already creating a very brown foam top. So I look forward to seeing this broken-in and tuned. But initially so much better than before.

Just want to thank Denny/Dave @ Concept for trying to help.

Big thanks to Jeremy @ Coralvue for working with me to figure this out and getting the parts to me.

I am confident that all should be fine now, and would recommend both parties for their service/support, and hopefully soon I will let you know how well the equipment works.

Thanks all on Canreef for your efforts in helping me.

Rick