Reef octopus skimmer inconsistent

Hey guys,
This skimmer has been amazing for me but lately I’ve been having issues with it. At first it completely stopped skimming. Tank was looking great so maybe just not a lot to skim out. The. Without touching it it overflowed on me. So I removed it, took everything apart and cleaned/scrubbed it, only using hot water. No it’s doing the same thing, no bubbles to coming home to it overflowing or skims for a few days and then overflows. Any help as to why it could be doing this? I’ve changed absolutely nothing in my tank recently other then adding coral. No new additives or anything of the sort.

Much appreciated!

Which reef octopus. I know sometimes mine will act a little funky because the impeller may get debris in it.

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Is the water level where the skimmer is located consistent?

Do you shut off your return for feeding and if so do you have a delay before the skimmer comes back online?

Have you had power outages or blips that you are aware of? If you dont add a delay to the skimmer turning on after an outage with a controller, you can get overflows.

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I have a reef Octopus skimmer as well and I've been having this exact same problem. It'll run for a little while skimming perfectly and then just start overflowing like crazy. Nothing has changed with my reef either and my previous skimmer never had an issue. I contacted reef Octopus via email and unfortunately they were absolutely no help, other than to tell me that I was causing the problem. I've tried everything from adjusting water level to cleaning and nothing has been effective in resolving this problem. So unfortunately I don't have the answer you're looking for but I can say that you are not alone in the problem...

I took it out and completely took the skimmer and pump apart and am still have the same issue. I also use mesh socks.

The skimmers water level doesn’t fluctuate at all and it does have a delay for feed and no power outages but this isn’t happening during either of the last two. Literally haven’t changed anything at all.

Haha this sucks to hear, really hoped I was missing something simple :/

That's what I was thinking, but I have tried everything! I can't figure out for the life of me why it just randomly freaks out... Which model do you have?

Is the air intake clear
The pump going out
Water levels
Water charges makes mine go nuts
Is it a DC pump
These are few things that pop I mine head Juanito

Classic 110 int I think.

I have the eSsence S-130. I wish their customer service would have been more helpful.

Air intake is free I even tried removing the silencer. Pump going out is clear cleaned that. Water charges? It sure. And not a DC :/

You have an apex right? Reboots of the controller can cause overflowing as well if you don't add the line

If Power Apex Off 001 Then OFF

Into the skimmers code

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I can try adding it but what actually causes the overflow? Sorry just a little confused.

During an outage, the skimmer turns on the same moment as the return before water level has a chance to stabilize if that line isn't in there. On reboots, there is a few second window (on classics or 2016) and up to a minute window (on jrs) that the outlets basically ignore fallback altogether and can have the return turn off, which raises the sump water level. That line also applies to reboots, which forces it off to allow the water level to settle. Skimmer code should ideally use this form

Fallback OFF
Set ON
If Output ReturnName = OFF Then OFF
If Power Apex Off 001 Then OFF
(If you have them, low flow sensor reading, high sump level sensor, maintenance modes, misc feeds etc)
Defer 005:00 Then ON

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How long have you had the skimmer? I know with mine, when I set it up it took like a month to break in and finally skim right. Every time I clean it with vinegar it seems to revert a bit and needs like a few days at least to break in again before it will stay steady. This was especially noticeable when I had the original pump on it, but after it died, and I replaced with a new pump, it doesnt do it as much. Still does it but not as bad.

Thank you for the code. I’ll get that installed although the chamber where the return is, is large enough that the water that drains from the tank when the return is shut off doesn’t affect the level at the skimmer. Either this will still be nice to have for the skimmer.

Tank has been setup since March so almost a year now, I didn’t clean the skimmer with vinegar, just thoroughly with hot water but it’s been a week since I cleaned it and still no consistency.

March was only 6 months.
The old 110s, I have one, installed 6 years on same tank. They are finicky. Mine will go years doing fine then freak out.
Things to consider; New filter socks, any types of purigen or chemical media, slime away, new carbon always effects it some. Make sure your clear air hose, the one going from the up tube to the air outlet on the skimmer is not kinked, clogged or have water in it, this always causes an overflow. Also make sure the little holes atop the top tube are clear and not clogged. It will reduce the air at the pump and make the water rise. (Ever put your fingers over them and the bubbles dissapear but the water rises quickly.
Hope thos helps. I could come by and we could mess with it?
Let me know Juan


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Check for salt creep down the air tube near the intake to the venturi. I let mine pull water through the air tube for a minute or two - this can clean it out.