Anyone Change Their Skimmers Pump?

[Forsaken77]

Would like to see if anyone has changed or "upgraded" the pump on their skimmer. I'm talking about needle wheel skimmers that have the "optimum" pump already included stock. I wanted to see if putting a bigger pump, same dimensions, will have a positive or negative effect.

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

I have never change the pump itself on my Reef Octopus external skimmer which is recirculating kind with duals pumps but recently I did upgrade the needle wheel propeller inside the pumps and took them apart to clean them up. Mine being a recirculating kind I really don't see any impact of a bigger pump.

 

[ca1ore]

If you believe that there is credible science behind the 'optimal' stock pump, then no point in replacing it. If you don't .......

 

[Forsaken77]

If you believe that there is credible science behind the 'optimal' stock pump, then no point in replacing it. If you don't .......

I may be mistaken, but wasn't it you that replied to my other thread about a "standard for skimmer sizing" and you said that they look at other skimmers ratings and just copy those if they look good? I didn't check, just going off memory and haven't slept in 2 days. So if that's the case, then wouldn't that mean there really is no science behind it?

I'm trying to see if it's possible to get better/more performance out of an old skimmer and also if you upgraded your tank size, if you can switch the pump without buying another skimmer.

 

[ca1ore]

I may be mistaken, but wasn't it you that replied to my other thread about a "standard for skimmer sizing" and you said that they look at other skimmers ratings and just copy those if they look good? I didn't check, just going off memory and haven't slept in 2 days. So if that's the case, then wouldn't that mean there really is no science behind it?

I'm trying to see if it's possible to get better/more performance out of an old skimmer and also if you upgraded your tank size, if you can switch the pump without buying another skimmer.

Yes, that was me - so at least I'm consistent LOL. Since I doubt the underlying science, I'd be on the side of 'experiment and see'.

 

[Forsaken77]

So has anyone ever tried using a bigger pump on their needlewheel skimmer?

The manufacturer always says not to. But that could be because they want to sell another skimmer. Gotta take everything nowadays with a grain of salt unless there's proof behind it. So far I haven't heard of someone testing this method, though it is a costly test. Maybe something for BRS??? Cough, cough

 

[ZaneTer]

The pumps are rated to the maximum flow rate THROUGH the skimmer. It is nothing to do with being able to skim more. If you want to skim more then you need more bubbles or finer bubbles. There is no guarantee that your skimmer will allow enough flow through it if you add more bubbles via a larger pump. If you add finer bubbles the dwell time needs to increase to stop microbubbles going all over the place.

FWIW I don’t believe anything about x skimmer being rated for x size tank. That side of it is just guess work. I do believe the manufacturers are correct when it comes to pump size and setup for each slimmer.

 

[Reef Bed]

I only change skimmer pumps when they break or downright perform horribly. For example, ASM skimmers I feel can perform better than the stock pump which is the Sedra. I use a pump off eBay from China which has literally blown my expectations away. Granted, I had to dial it way back, hence the skimmer pump ratings because it was just too much for the skimmer chamber to handle, but a simple dial back off the Venturi line is all it took. This is a old skimmer with a much newer pump though.