Reef Octopus BH1000 overflowing

[Walker]

I have the newer model BH1000 with the two circular inflow/outflow fittings (as opposed to the square surface skimmer/elbow outflow). Every time the skimmer is turned off and restarted, it overfills the return chamber and overflows onto the floor. To prevent the overflow, I have to take off everything in the outflow that's blocking the flow of water (bubble diffuser outflow fitting, pipe that goes into it, and all sponges), turn on the skimmer, and then put everything back on. Strangely enough, it works fine once started this way.

 

The worry, of course, is that if there is a power outage. Once the power comes back on and I'm not home to take off the fittings, it WILL overflow in short order. I don't think this is the correct behaviour for the BH1000, but I'm scratching my head as to how to fix it. I'm thinking of getting some fittings and mimicking the design of the BH100 (T and an elbow outflow instead of straight pipe into a bubble diffuser). Would this work? I'm just surprised that no one else has encountered this problem. There is also a horrendous amount of microbubbles even with the diffuser but I expect that to dissipate once the skimmer is broken in.

[Walker]

Just in case people encounter the same problem... I fixed the problem when I realized that the outflow pipe was a good 4 inches into the water. The deeper the pipe goes, the higher the water pressure that is needed to 'push' the water out of the way and the higher the water column that is needed to provide that pressure. I cut the outflow pipe in half and it seems to have cleared up the problem nicely. Now, to let it break in (that pump is NOISY right now).

[Flyguy11]

Wow wish I read this post before setting up. Dumped several gallons on my carpet. Did your skimmer overfill after making the changes? Very unhappy with instructions with it! Thanks.

 

[nystang]

I cut both inlet and outlet pipes and moved the round baskets as high as I could. No overflowing.

[bubblealgae]

Thank you very much Walker. My brother just called me complainging about his overflowing. He runs it on a 20 long and ALWAYS has the water at the max level(like if you bumped the tank it would rock out). Anyway that totally makes sense and will solve his issues. I realize this is old but SO helpful. Never had this problem with the original skimmer design(I have both). Wish they hadn't changed.

[7waves]

Same startup overflow almost happened to me.

 

I would rather not have to cut the pipe in case I ever want to use this on a different tank (although I am definitely considering it).

 

For now, I raised the unit by propping a foam wrapped 1 inch diameter pipe (all I could find around the house) between the rim of my tank and the two input/output pipes coming out of the skimmer. Basically, raising up the skimmer instead of lowering the water level.

 

This has let me set the intake to the water surface level and the output just above. Before this adjustment, the start up kept trying to overflow so I couldn't prime it. Once the depth adjustments were made on the intake/output, the overflow on startup did not happen.

 

I took a photo but I guess I don't know how to post a photo on here yet.

 

Still have a little bit of micro bubbles but they aren't too bad.