Skimmer pumps. Educate me.

[stacy22]

I love reefing. Unlike most of you here, I love it for the biology and ecology of the organisms and NOT the equipment. :yes:

I have the skimmer referenced below that was purchased new from an ARC sponsor about two years ago. I loved the skimmer and it worked flawlessly. Before taking my tank offline both the Sicce pumps stopped working. I know that these have well-documented start-up issues. They stopped working after a rather turbulent spring when I had several power outages. It is possible that I can clean/repair the pumps myself. IF HOWEVER, they are toast I will have to replace them.

I know that I can purchase two similar pumps and get the skimmer working again. In the near future I will be setting up another tank that I would like to use this skimmer on. I also plan to have at least one (possibly two) reactor added. <span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: blue;">Could I purchase ONE pump with a large enough GPH rating to generate flow through my skimmer while also powering the reactor(s)?<font size="2" data-gcupd="font-2"><!-- gcu-updated --> If I need to buy gadgets I want to be as efficient as possible in my $ expenditure as well as in electricity and outlet use. Thanks for any feedback. </span></span></font><!-- gcu-updated SIZE -->

 

[thanh386]

Have u tried dissembling both pumps and soaking it in a hot water bath? Salt water pump left unused and in dry condition will have hardened salt.

 

[stacy22]

I have not tried anything yet. I plan on taking them apart soon to see if I can get them working again. I know there are a few things I can try. I am just trying to think ahead in case I cannot get them working.

 

[lilrobb]

Well,
These Sicce PSK2500 are pretty much indestructible, so a cleaning should bring them back to work.
They use the Venturi effect by injecting air into the skimmer, so using one pump for both reactor and skimmer will have you most likely end up with air in the reactor.
Also most reactors are pressurized and the skimmer is not, so the differential in pressure will cause some issues.
Could this be overcome with an array of valves and plumbing? Sure
Is it worth it? No

Having said that - I wouldn't try to over engineer something like a well designed skimmer to save 10w of energy for a small feed pump for a reactor....

 

[stacy22]

Thanks Robin. That's what I wanted to know.

 

[rbredding]

agreed..

those sicce pumps should be pretty efficient.. don't they run somewhere around 18 watts ??

you can probably replace them with the new Tunze e-Jets... (they have a defined sense of rotation so they start every time in the same direction.. no start up issues)..

look them up under the TURBELLE PUMPS category at

 

[stacy22]

Those e-Jets are interesting and, like you said, VERY efficient. These will certainly be a consideration if I can't get the original Sicces working again.

 

[stacy22]

OK, so I had some time this weekend to take my pumps apart and clean them. I cannot, however remove the part that sites just beneath the inlet venturi. I saw the Youtube video of the guy opening this using plier handles. I tried and couldn't do it. I was afraid that I would break the plastic. Any tricks to get this off without breaking it? I tried before after soaking in vinegar.

 

[lilrobb]

The volute?
Pic?

 

[stacy22]

Yes, the volute. I cant post a picture until this evening. I am teaching summer school Biology to kids who do not want to be here.

 

[stacy22]

Barbara;662860 wrote: Ah..... good times. Keep smiling Stacy. My 17 year old had to take summer school and I thank God for the teachers willing to do it! We parents appreciate you!

Thank you so much, Barbara.

Most of these kids are doing OK. I have a few who are slacking. One parent emailed me wanting to set up a conference. I told her to be here at 0600 (since they do not pay us beyond our regular ending time each day). She walked in with her son and I promptly showed her a huge photo on my computer screen of him sleeping. He has not strayed since. LOL

 

[lilrobb]

I have a PSK2500 - use the "force"... LOL

In all seriousness, the rubber seal makes it a snug fit, depending how your venturi looks (they have various models), grab it with a channel lock and twist, if it is the screw on venturi, careful not to mess the threads up.

 

[rbredding]

they're a very tight fit...

after you let it soak a little bit, give it a good turn.. you'll get it..


(you can soak in warm water, vinegar is probably not necessary but can be added)

 

[stacy22]

Alright then. I will twist the ^*&@#^ until it opens or I break it.

 

[thbrewst]

stacy22;662877 wrote: Thank you so much, Barbara.

Most of these kids are doing OK. I have a few who are slacking. One parent emailed me wanting to set up a conference. I told her to be here at 0600 (since they do not pay us beyond our regular ending time each day). She walked in with her son and I promptly showed her a huge photo on my computer screen of him sleeping. He has not strayed since. LOL

Hilarious!!!! Glad that the parent cared enough to come in and obviously cared enough to have a 'talk' that they straightened out. Nice approach with the picture.

Barbara;662911 wrote: Public school is free for us

It's faaaaarrrrr from free, you just don't write a separate check like you did for summer school.

 

[acroholic]

Stacy,
I had an Octo Extreme 160 with a Sicce PSK 2500 and the impeller cover is a bear to get off. I got mine of with the plier covers. I did it to install an off-brand needle wheel impeller.

Before you break the volute or sprain your wrist trying to get it off, try the easy fix first by soaking the entire pump in vinegar overnight. It could be not starting from a simple calcium or salt buildup. Let is soak overnight, then put it in a bucket of water to rinse and plug it in. That might be all it takes.

 

[stacy22]

I think I'm going to show up pumps in hand at Rob's house one morning around 3am since he thinks they are so easy to get off. LOL

 

[cr500_af]

stacy22;662929 wrote: I think I'm going to show up pumps in hand at Rob's house one morning around 3am since he thinks they are so easy to get off. LOL

This is the plan.

 

[lilrobb]

stacy22;662929 wrote: I think I'm going to show up pumps in hand at Rob's house one morning around 3am since he thinks they are so easy to get off. LOL

Bring coffee and bagels and I make that a deal...

 

[stacy22]

OK, I have more pump questions.

What makes a pump good for using on a skimmer? For example, what is the fundamental difference between a "skimmer pump" and something like a return pump (except for the typical difference in GPH)? What about pumps that power reactors? How are they fundamentally different from skimmer pumps, return pumps, etc.?