Skimmer waste collector with auto shut off?

[Mark2480]

Want to get one of these for when I go away on vacation. Wondering if anyone uses either a Reef Octopus one or a Davy Jones locker from Avast. Any thoughts on one being better than the other? Any info would be greatly appreciated, since I can't make up my mind which one to get. With my luck the first time I leave the skimmer will overflow...lol.

 

[lnevo]

Very happy with the Davy Jones one. I like the pressure switch. I'm not familiar with the Reef Octopus one. If you have any specific questions, lmk.

 

[NYCEnglish]

I use the Davy Jones and its excellent. Of course, you need a controller to turn off the skimmer when the valve trips.

 

[lnevo]

I use the Davy Jones and its excellent. Of course, you need a controller to turn off the skimmer when the valve trips.

Not necessarily. You can get it with an outlet box that your skimmer plugs into.

 

[Mark2480]

Thanks I was leaning toward the Davy Jones. I have a RKL on this tank but was going to go with he standard outlet box that you plug the skimmer into. This way I can switch it to my other tank if I upgrade since the other tank doesn't have a controller yet.

 

[empire]

I'm about to pull the trigger on the reef octo waste collector.

 

[lnevo]

I'm about to pull the trigger on the reef octo waste collector.

Whats your reason for that vs Avast Marine one?

 

[empire]

it looks like i have to plug the avast into a controller and not for the RO(i think); i've seen people say they had their pressure switch atos fail on them; finally the avast is huge!

 

[lnevo]

The standard one has an outlet box that the skimmer plugs in. The others are options to go to a controller. Size does matter...the small one is 1.5 liters i think. It its 4.5" diameter which fits in my stand...not as big as a lot that i've seen.

 

[d5332]

you can also get a float switch from autotopoff.com and a $2 one gallon jug from walmart, screw the float switch into the gallon jug, plug your skimmer into the ato float switch and bammm, skimmer locker for under $50 bucks

 

[Mark2480]

From what I read the small reef octopus has I bigger footprint but is shorter and holds less then the avast. Description says it's 6.5 x 6.5 and holds 1400 ml (49oz). I was leaning towards the avast because of the smaller footprint. I have read one review where the pressure switch failed on one but that review was from 2010 and haven't seen any others. Then I read the reef octopus ping pong ball can get stuck and cause that to fail lol.

 

[NYreefNoob]

i made mine and was alot cheaper, granted already had a waste collecter, just add a ato system and plug the skimmer pump into it. can use any jug or bottle and do the same thing

 

[empire]

you can also get a float switch from autotopoff.com and a $2 one gallon jug from walmart, screw the float switch into the gallon jug, plug your skimmer into the ato float switch and bammm, skimmer locker for under $50 bucks

Hey pics on what you did?

 

[empire]

From what I read the small reef octopus has I bigger footprint but is shorter and holds less the the the avast. Description says it's 6.5 x 6.5 and holds 1400 ml (49oz). I was leaning towards the avast because of the smaller footprint. I have read one review where the pressure switch failed on one but that review was from 2010 and haven't seen any others. Then I read the reef octopus ping pong ball can get stuck and cause that to fail lol.

I see. Thanks for sharing. I wanted to get it in my stand. What are you going to go with?

 

[Mark2480]

I was going to put it in my stand also but it's getting crowded in there that's why I was looking for the smaller foot print. Not sure yet what I'm going with yet.