$200 Octopus

[Dwarf Seahorses]

How much tank can a stock octopus NW-200 handle? I hear they can outperform even $1000 skimmers. Do you have to mod it in any way to get the type of performance I hear it can do?

[Andrew]

I would have to say around 100-125 gallons if you are going to have a medium to heavy bio-load. They are good skimmer but I'm not sure you could say they would out perform say a Euro-reef or Deltec. Most people will mod the impeller with a layer of mesh to produce finner bubbles and you can also make the venturi larger.

[RichConley]

I'd say stock, a 150-180 would be about what it could handle. Meshmodded, and pulling 50schf, its going to handle about the same size tank as any of the other 8" bodied 50 schf skimmers (like the dual eheim H&S skimmers).

[luke33]

I'd say around 125ish stock and around 150-200 meshed and new venturi. If you did that and recirc'd it i'm guessing 225-250g.

Rich, has someone got 50scfh on the oct200, i didn't think the neck could handle that much air?

[KurtsReef]

Originally posted by Andrew
Most people will mod the impeller with a layer of mesh to produce finner bubbles and you can also make the venturi larger.

Mod it with mesh how? Simply placing mesh over the blades of the impellers? (going to do a search now, just in case it does not come back with any returns)

[KurtsReef]

Found the mod thread....

[Dwarf Seahorses]

Thanks, looks like I'll be doing some modifications!

[kysard1]

make sure you read the post about the downgraded pumps vs what they used to sell with the NW200

[stemonia]

FYI... the mod about the washer in the venturi... The washer covers 2/3 of the air hole thus reducing air flow into the skimmer. I have not done any modifications to my skimmer other than removing the washer and I can tell you the washer removal made a huge difference. The hole is 100% clear and I'm getting some nasty stuff out of the skimmer. For a relatively low cost skimmer, this thing does a great job.

[RichConley]

Originally posted by kysard1
make sure you read the post about the downgraded pumps vs what they used to sell with the NW200

I'm sorry, but this is absolute crap.


The pumps come with a smaller impellar. If you're meshmodding it, that doesnt make a difference, as the magnet is the same size.



Luke, i've pulled 50+ on a NW200. No, the neck isnt big enough. It'll work fine, but tuning is a pain.

[d4a2n0k]

I got the mesh from Ebay for 5 bucks shipped. Do a search for Enkamat PF4 on Ebay. Much better than having to buy a whole sheet of it.

[luke33]

Originally posted by RichConley
I'm sorry, but this is absolute crap.


The pumps come with a smaller impellar. If you're meshmodding it, that doesnt make a difference, as the magnet is the same size.



Luke, i've pulled 50+ on a NW200. No, the neck isnt big enough. It'll work fine, but tuning is a pain.

One of those fun tune in's huh, lol, nothin like watching the froth form beneath the neck. There are some skimmers that do that for a living though and it works well.