Msk 600 skimmer pump alternative

[jasonrusso]

I have a Redsea C—130. It came with a MsK600 skimmer. The pump is the weak spot. It clogs easy and it makes ALOT of heat.

The skimmer works great, so I am not replacing it. The pump sucks. Is there an alternative?

 

[blaxsun]

Would a Sicce work?

 

[jasonrusso]

Would a Sicce work?

I've never seen another pump designed like this one.

 

[blaxsun]

I think you’re stuck with it:

Redsea RSK Skimmer pump replacement

So ive been having a conversation with Jeff over @CoralVue about this and im interested to see if anybody has done it before. I bought a redsea RSK and after running it for the last month im quickly realizing its not the quietest thing in the world. Im assuming this is because the pump itself...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[jasonrusso]

I think you’re stuck with it:

Redsea RSK Skimmer pump replacement

So ive been having a conversation with Jeff over @CoralVue about this and im interested to see if anybody has done it before. I bought a redsea RSK and after running it for the last month im quickly realizing its not the quietest thing in the world. Im assuming this is because the pump itself...

www.reef2reef.com

That's a different kind of skimmer, but I also think that I am stuck with it.

 

[blaxsun]

That's a different kind of skimmer, but I also think that I am stuck with it.

Yeah, it was the only (similar) thing I could find.

 

[jda]

My go-to replace skimmer pumps are Sicce PSK and Tunze Hydrofoamer. You need to match the flow or else too much or too little contact time is no good. Neither are the cheapest, but some of the best skimmers in the world came with these pumps.

For example, I have a Reef Octopus of some kind with the Sicce PSK pump - it is a total badazz. The same model the next year with the RO pump was mostly junk. Any full sized Tunze skimmer are was producing machines (not so much the compact ones which are good, but not great, IMO).

Whatever you pick, you will need a trip to the hardware store for some fittings, most likely.

 

[jda]

The skimmer works great, so I am not replacing it. The pump sucks.

These two are a unit. The body is worthless without the correct pump. The pump does most of the heavy lifting. If you get the pump wrong, then you will have wasted your money and also turned a good skimmer into a bad one. I would think twice before replacing the pump if you think that the skimmer is a beast.

 

[jasonrusso]

These two are a unit. The body is worthless without the correct pump. The pump does most of the heavy lifting. If you get the pump wrong, then you will have wasted your money and also turned a good skimmer into a bad one. I would think twice before replacing the pump if you think that the skimmer is a beast.

And he lies the problem. This is a picture of the skimmer. The tank is an AIO so everything is purpose built and there is no room for fittings. I had a hard time finding a return pump to replace the stock unit.

The pump plugs into the side of the skimmer which is why it has those orings.

I already ordered a replacement. They aren't cheap ($90) and the last one was about 15 months old and started tripping the GFI. They also run very hot.

I was looking for a better solution, but I don't think it's possible unless I want to replace the whole skimmer.

 

[jda]

You are probably just going to have to stick with that. I see that you live in Mass, so the heat from the pump will just keep your heaters from not running as much... no big deal in isolation since you don't live in the Sahara or near Joshua Tree National Park. If my metal halides did not produce heat, then I would just have to pay for the heaters to run more... and my AC pumps probably put off a bit, but they are too low wattage to do much.

In any case, the only other thing that I can think of is to see if a CPR Bak Pak pump is close to the same. No idea and if it were me, I would never get that lucky.

 

[jasonrusso]

You are probably just going to have to stick with that. I see that you live in Mass, so the heat from the pump will just keep your heaters from not running as much... no big deal in isolation since you don't live in the Sahara or near Joshua Tree National Park. If my metal halides did not produce heat, then I would just have to pay for the heaters to run more... and my AC pumps probably put off a bit, but they are too low wattage to do much.

In any case, the only other thing that I can think of is to see if a CPR Bak Pak pump is close to the same. No idea and if it were me, I would never get that lucky.

Yes, my heaters never run, but my fans run all the time!