I couldn't believe it...

[Lunareclipse]

There was this local guy that was looking for a skimmer for his 75g tank. He said he bought a skimmer, but it was too big. That he would trade for a smaller skimmer. I offered to trade my skimmer (Berlin triplepass) for his and explained to him that it took two weeks to break it in rather than the 48 hours it says in the instructions. I asked him what kind he had. He said that he had a Reef Octopus NWB 200. So I looked it up online. It was better for my tank than what I had, so I called the guy later and told him I was ok with it and asked if he wanted any money too for it. He said he just wanted a skimmer to fit his tank. So I was up at 6am this morning yanking my skimmer out and cleaning it and boxing it up for the guy. I figured I could just pop in the new skimmer after I rinse it out good. The guy couldn't bring it himself so he had his secretary bring it over this morning at 8. We traded boxes and the box his sec. gave me was huge. I figured most of it was packing material. So I set the box in front of the tank and went to forage for some food. I ate and set about unpacking the box. The skimmer was HUGE. Much bigger than what I had expected. The instructions says the skimmer is a Reef Octopus OCTX-300. I tried calling the dude to see if he gave me the right skimmer. I got his voice mail. I'll call him later on tonight. But if it is the right one, I'll have to yank my whole sump out to get that beast in there. It won't fit between the sump and the stand. I don't even know if it will fit in the sump. If anybody out there has a tape measure (I can't find mine) can you measure the width a 55g if you have one? I tried to find the footprint of this skimmer online but I can't find a site that sells OCTX-300's. Does anybody know what the footprint is on it? This is definately much bigger than a NWB 200. If I can borrow my mommy-in-law's camara, I will post pics of the skimmer and instructions. If it is the right skimmer that the dude gave me, I feel like I ripped him off...

 

[albano]

So I set the box in front of the tank and went to forage for some food.

Is Ohio, considered a 'frontier' state? Maybe you should trade this bigger skimmer... :idea: for food !

 

[Keith P]

This one? http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/octopus-extreme-300-protein-skimmer.html

Great score!

Footprint: 17.3" x 12.2" inches

 

[NYreefNoob]

do believe a 55g is 12.5 inch's, and watch it alfie seeing i lived in columbus also

 

[Lunareclipse]

This one? http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/octopus-extreme-300-protein-skimmer.html

Great score!

Footprint: 17.3" x 12.2" inches

That is the skimmer that I got. The dude got back to me. He said he sent the receipt for the skimmer with the wheel mesh. I looked and sure enough is the receipt. He bought the skimmer $268.00. The receipt says he bought a NWS 200, though. That isn't what I got. I got the OCTX-300. Was wondering if they sent the wrong one to the guy? Anyways, I scored a great deal on that. I hope it fits in my sump, or I might have to trade for a smaller one. I don't want to trade because it looks like a great skimmer for my 150g. But it's useless to me if I can't get it in my sump. Unless any of you have any ideas in case it doesn't fit...

 

[Lunareclipse]

Is Ohio, considered a 'frontier' state? Maybe you should trade this bigger skimmer... :idea: for food !

lol. I grew up on a farm. The school that I went to canceled school on the first day of hunting season.

 

[jaa1456]

I believe a 55 is 12 inches inside width.

 

[Lunareclipse]

I believe a 55 is 12 inches inside width.

ok, so the skimmer has a body diameter of 11.8 inches and it's footprint is 17.3 x 12.2 inches. Will I be able to cram this in my sump? Or will i have to get a bigger sump? I will tear it down here in a little bit to see if it will fit. Does any of you have one of these in a 55g sump? Do any of you have one of these at all and what is it in?

 

[albano]

ok, so the skimmer has a body diameter of 11.8 inches and it's footprint is 17.3 x 12.2 inches. Will I be able to cram this in my sump?

Doesn't look good, BUT why is it 12.2 vs. 11.8...is it the width of the pumps? or the return? set it up outside the tank and see if anything can be 'adjusted'

Do any of you have one of these at all and what is it in?

I just sold my Octopus 250 recirculating skimmer, it was GREAT for the past 3 years, but I'm upgrading my system and needed a larger skimmer

 

[Lunareclipse]

Doesn't look good, BUT why is it 12.2 vs. 11.8...is it the width of the pumps? or the return? set it up outside the tank and see if anything can be 'adjusted'

I just sold my Octopus 250 recirculating skimmer, it was GREAT for the past 3 years, but I'm upgrading my system and needed a larger skimmer

I already set it up on the kitchen table. The pumps are on there with stiff acrylic tubes. They don't go in any further. I might have to buy a bigger sump. Or one with a bigger width. I think the the way the pumps are, they are wider than the skimmer body.

 

[beerfish]

Can you change or extend the tubing for the pumps? I don't have the skimmer, so I don't know if it's possible.

 

[Lunareclipse]

The tubes are on there pretty good. Don't think I can get them off. But if I can get the pumps off and put some flexible tubing on the pipes, it might make them fit better. I guess it's off to Lowe's after I find out if the body fits in my sump.

 

[albano]

you might have to move/adjust only 1 pump...but first make sure that the skimmer, itself, fits into sump.



.

 

[Lunareclipse]

you might have to move/adjust only 1 pump...but first make sure that the skimmer, itself, fits into sump.



.

The pump on the left is the one that needs moved about a half inch. The other one is fine. I hope they don't vibrate on the glass. That would be irritating.

 

[albano]

at worst you could place a small 'sponge' between the pump and glass (if they touch)...do the instructions recommend a 6-8" water level in the sump?



.

 

[Lunareclipse]

Yes, it requires at least 6 inches of water. And placing a sponge or something in there sounds like a great idea. Maybe I can superglue some old pump feet on there.

 

[albano]

Maybe I can superglue some old pump feet on there.

Whatever, makes you, 'farm-girls' happy!rangehat



.

 

[Lunareclipse]

I need to get a new sump. The plate on the bottom of the body won't fit in the 55g. That really sucks. Anybody have any other ideas?

 

[fab1971]

If you need a new sump, you're going to need a bigger tank. If you get a bigger tank, you're going to have to upgrade your lights and get more corals and fish. This deal is going to make you broke

 

[Lunareclipse]

lol! Nope, just need to get me new sump. I have come to the conclusion that using a 55g for anything in this hobby is a waste of time. Unless it's a QT tank.