Needlewheel pump for CPR Aquafuge PS

[krb]

I have a Aquafuge with the built in skimmer. I have been unhappy with the skimmer performance from the start. It skims but only a tea colored skimmate. It also requires a good topoff unit to keep from constantly tweaking it. I had thought about a mesh mod or a needlewheel mod. Then, I came across this pump:

http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=1705">http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=1705</a>

I just installed it. The bubbles are so much finer it is almost unreal. Also, it has a significantly lower flow than the MJ1200 that was on there. I imagine it will take a couple of days to break in. We will see how it performs. I will try to get some pics up tonight.

 

[reeferjw]

I am very interested in how this goes for you. I have the regular Bak Pak Skimmer with the MJ 1200, and if this is better, I will definitely switch.

 

[wbholwell]

Cool. I'm guessing the pump actually looks like this:

http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=495">http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=495</a>

Keep us posted with pics!

 

[krb]

wbholwell;128165 wrote: Cool. I'm guessing the pump actually looks like this:

http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=495">http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=495</a>

Keep us posted with pics![/QUOTE]

Yes it does. it has a shroud to cover the intake which makes it quite large. It also has a venturi adapter much like the MJ1200 which draws air into the front of the intake, but I don't think that method is as efficient as drawing air into the side of the intake tube.

 

[tnyga]

Im waiting for final verdict..the venturi adapter on the mj1200 seems to be working a TON better since the tube was cleaned out...

 

[krb]

initial thoughts: The pump produces a lot finer bubbles. the collection cup has to be put much farther down than it was with the mj1200. I believe I am losing too many bubbles around the side of the collection cup as it isn't a really tight fit. I am going to glue a thin rubber skirt around the bottom of the collection cup to try and not lose those bubbles. I think this will help with any pump used with this skimmer. I will keep you all informed

 

[krb]

OK, here is the latest update. I have not made a skirt yet for the collection cup. I believe this will increase the skimmers production and will do so when I find the time. The skimmer is producing a darker skimmate. It is still real wet though. I am slowly tweaking it over time and seem to be getting it dialed in. It is a better pump than the MJ1200.

Final Thoughts:

So far the output of the skimmer is better with the needlewheel pump, but I don't know if it is enough to justify the $40 cost. If you have a higher bioload and need all the performance you can get, I would say yes. If you have a light bioload, I would probably save the money. For a pump upgrade, it is still relatively inexpensive. All of the other pumps I considered were in the $80-$100 range.

I will update again when I finally get the rubber skirt in place.

 

[wbholwell]

Can you do a mesh mod on the new pump, and open up the venturi a little?

 

[krb]

wbholwell;134072 wrote: Can you do a mesh mod on the new pump, and open up the venturi a little?

It is a needlewheel pump, so no. It produces extremely fine bubbles already. I think the biggest problem I have is the lost bubbles around the collection cup. Due to the small size of the bubbles and the fact that the collection cup is dropped down into the chamber, I am losing quite a bit of bubbles around the sides of the collection cup. I am going to put a rubber skirt around the cup to eliminate this bubble loss. I believe this will boost the skimmer's efficiency tremendously. I will let you know.