How to Set Up the Protein Skimmer Octopus 150

The Reef Octopus NWB-150 is a protein skimmer for saltwater aquariums. Protein skimmers are essential for saltwater aquariums that contain organisms such as coral. They are designed to remove organic materials, such as proteins, from water before the proteins have a chance to decompose into harmful substances. Protein skimmers work via the usage of bubbles, which absorb water-borne proteins and collecting them in reservoirs, to be tossed out regularly. The Octopus NWB-150 is relatively easy to install given you have all the parts that come in the kit. Your aquarium must also have an external sump, which is a basin that filtered water enters before being taken by another tube or hose back into the aquarium. Sumps are typically underneath aquariums within aquarium cabinet stands.

Things You'll Need

  • Note: All of the following are found in the protein skimmer's kit
  • Top cover of skimmer
  • Collection cup
  • Plug
  • Reaction chamber
  • Air hose
  • Air intake device
  • Silencer
  • Adjusting pipe
  • Water outlet pipe
  • Water pump
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Instructions

    • 1

      Screw the air intake device--a small, circular plastic fitting--to the input of the water pump. It is through this intake that the pump will take in air to pump water.

    • 2

      Attach the output of the water pump, which is where water is expelled and is clearly marked, to the the small connection at the bottom of the reaction chamber. This will also be clearly labeled. The pump's output should be able to slide into this connection.

    • 3

      Connect the end of the water outlet pipe marked "A" to the small outlet tube sticking out of the reaction chamber, which should be slightly larger in diameter than the water outlet pipe. The end of the water outlet pipe marked "B" will be where water is expelled after it has exited the reaction chamber.

    • 4

      Stick the adjusting tube, which should have a slightly smaller diameter than the outlet pipe, into opening at the top of the water outlet pipe.

    • 5

      Attach the silencer, which looks like a flat disc, to the top of the adjusting pipe. It should simply screw on.

    • 6

      Attach one end of the air hose to the silencer from Step 5. It should simply squeeze over a small outlet tube at the top of the silencer. Attach the other end of the air hose to the air intake device attached to the water pump. It, too, should simply be squeezed over a small opening protruding from the device.

    • 7

      Connect the collection cup, with the top on it, onto the top of the reaction chamber. It should squeeze on with a rubber O-ring.

    • 8

      Insert the small rubber plug into the opening at the bottom of the collection cup. This plug will be removed later when the collection cup is periodically emptied for cleaning.

    • 9

      Place the assembled Octopus NWB-150 into your aquarium's sump, adjusting the adjusting pipe so that it can reach air above the water level. It is important that the water pump is completely submerged.

    • 10

      Turn the Octopus NWB-150 on by plugging the water pump into a power outlet. It should begin running and collecting material in the collection cup using foaming bubbles.