Recommendations for a replacement external skimmer pump?

Daniel@R2R · Feb 22, 2016

Hey guys, I've been running a very old skimmer (PCI Octopus RPS-3000) and the pump recirc pump has quit working. The original pump is an OTP-2000, but I'm thinking about upgrading to a better pump. Any suggestions?

Daniel@R2R · Feb 22, 2016

Here's a picture of the skimmer (not my pic, but it's the same skimmer).

mcarroll · Feb 22, 2016

These would be my preferences, in order from most-preferred to least:

repair the existing pump; a new impeller works a large percentage of the time and is usually cheap to try ($50) even if it doesn't work.
replace it with an identical pump; the OTP is a well-regarded pump and this skimmer was apparently designed to work with it. $90. That's three good pluses!
@rvitko may be able to suggest a Tunze Hydrofoamer that could work. You'd just have to work out the plumbing connections. (Looks like yours is 3/4", so it shouldn't be too complicated.)
If none of those panned out for you, replace the skimmer. Though it's hard to imagine it coming to this.

$0.02

Daniel@R2R · Feb 22, 2016

Thanks! I'm really hoping to upgrade from the OTP. I know I'm looking at a custom plumbing job, and though I don't hate the pump that was on it, I think there's bound to be a better option. This is an old design, and I'm sure better options have come out since it was made.

I do know that it isn't the impeller. The pump just kind of hums and doesn't spin at all. It clicks like it wants to come on and then just sits and hums... I have thought that if I can't find a good option, I may just go back with the OTP. I was kind of thinking about maybe going with a DC skimmer pump though.

mcarroll · Feb 22, 2016

The OTP is so inexpensive, I'd really try to find one locally from a place that will let you return it if you find out the impeller (which you can try in your motor block) is all it took to get you running. Might even be worth the bother of shipping if an online place would facilitate such a transaction.

I'd start digging on that Hydrofoamer option until we hear from Roger. If you know the air and/or water flow rating on the OTP you can just compare with Tunze's listings for their pumps on their website.

From a quick look, it seems the 9410.40 is the smallest model and it exceeds the air flow rate on your old pump by a good margin. But you can always clamp back the air flow as-needed...they have a good hose and quality hose-clamp that promote a fine adjustment range. They also specify that it has a 3/4" oulet....so the pump inlet is the only big question mark to me. I haven't had mine apart recently enough to remember for sure what the inlet is like...but the strainer that fits there in a standard install is just slip-fit.

@rvitko may have other perspectives or suggestions as well though.

hybridazn · Feb 22, 2016

Ahh the hydrofoamer, I didn't even think about that pump. Awesome skimmer pump

mcarroll · Feb 22, 2016

mdbannister said:
The pump just kind of hums and doesn't spin at all. It clicks like it wants to come on and then just sits and hums...

Forgot to add this....

I'm not totally doubting your conclusion - the pump may indeed be dead as a doornail.

But, your stated symptoms are the same that a grain of sand in the wrong place or a stale impeller can cause.

Definitely try a thorough cleaning - even the depths of the impeller-well. Use straight vinegar and Q-tips. Rinse. Get fresh rinse water and rinse again. Then re-assemble and try the pump again.

If you haven't, clean out the skimmer too before putting the pump back in....sandy detritus tends to accumulate in the bottom over time and could be getting sucked into the pump.

Do all this even if you already did it once before...I've seen a second (thorough) cleaning work enough times that it's always worth a try.

Daniel@R2R · Feb 22, 2016

Thanks! I'll definitely give it a good cleaning this evening and see it starts running again before buying another pump. I may look into the hydrofoamer anyway just because I was already considering an upgrade...but I could still do that (and keep the other on-hand as a backup if it works) regardless. Either way, it's nice to have options. Thanks for the help!

kschweer · Feb 22, 2016

You maybe able to get a bubble blaster and the plumbing for that skimmer or the aquatrance pump. I was hesitant when my otp went to go with the aquatrance but I am very happy with it so far. It's also on an external skimmer and you should be able to get the plumbing from coralvue, I was able to for my nwb-110.

mcarroll · Feb 22, 2016

kschweer said:
I was hesitant when my otp went to go with the aquatrance but I am very happy with it so far.

+1

Also probably a decent option...maybe more of a "side-grade" but I think it is a more modern design than the OTP. (correct me if wrong)

Daniel@R2R · Feb 22, 2016

Ohh...probably anything is a more modern design than this one...it's a pre-CoralVue version...back when Pacific Coast Imports made this thing... LOL

mcarroll · Feb 22, 2016

I have a Reef Octopus DD-150 (down-draft) from that era. No longer in service, however - and needs a skimmer cup lid.

Daniel@R2R · Feb 22, 2016

So, I'm really looking at pulling the trigger on that hydrofoamer...but I do notice that all of the skimmers I'm seeing it on are internal. No issues with running it on an external skimmer?

kschweer · Feb 22, 2016

mcarroll said:
+1

Also probably a decent option...maybe more of a "side-grade" but I think it is a more modern design than the OTP. (correct me if wrong)

I would say so to an extent. The aquatrance pulls a good amount more air than the otp. The otp1000 I was running pulled 6.5 scfh and the aquatrance pulls 15 scfh. If it holds up as well as my otp pump did I'll be extremely happy.

mcarroll · Feb 22, 2016

mdbannister said:
No issues with running it on an external skimmer?

...a good question for Roger!

hybridazn · Feb 22, 2016

According to roger (from another site) it can be done but a good bit of modding would need to be done. The intake tubing would need to be larger and sit in the sump.

Daniel@R2R · Feb 22, 2016

hybridazn said:
According to roger (from another site) it can be done but a good bit of modding would need to be done. The intake tubing would need to be larger and sit in the sump.

So instead of using a feed pump, this would work as both? Or would the skimmer need to be elevated above the sump?? Maybe I should send Roger an email... LOL

hybridazn · Feb 22, 2016

He's an old man, he's sleeping lol. Hopefully he will reply tomorrow to the thread. But if you do email him post his answer. I'm curious as to how it will work.

Daniel@R2R · Feb 22, 2016

Sent a message through their "contact us" link. Hopefully he'll get it.

mcarroll · Feb 23, 2016

The concern I've seen is about the intake not being designed to be water tight...wait for Roger's official answer, but here's my suspicion:

The intake is unthreaded and may be a non-standard size, which could make slip-fit plumbing a difficult issue.

Not insurmountable if that's the case...but might make it not worth the bother of doing and certainly not worth recommending from their perspective. We'll see...

Back to waiting...