Say Good Bye to the Atman 2500 Pump

redfishbluefish · May 1, 2013

It would appear the manufacturer has discontinued the Atman 2500 (which is actually the Via Aqua 2600 pump.) This is the pump found in the Bubble Magus NAC 6 and NAC 7, and the SWC 160 skimmers. Bubble Magus has come up with a new pump (BM SP2000) for the NAC 6 that will not fit into the older skimmers without an upgrade kit.

I havenâ€™t seen anything mentioned about the SWC yetâ€¦â€¦..and this is the skimmer I have. Iâ€™m ticked!

WVUreefer · May 1, 2013

that sucks...maybe I should buy some of the current stock now for future problems?

_Alex_ · May 2, 2013

Dang Mines been having start issues as of late. Hope thy come up with something!!!

-Alex-

redfishbluefish · May 2, 2013

_Alex_ said:
Dang Mines been having start issues as of late. Hope thy come up with something!!!

-Alex-

I had the same problem when I first got my skimmer (SWC 160 with Atman 2500). I found by simply putting two small nylon washers (found at HD in the drawers in the hardware section), it solved that problem. Put the washers of the front of the impeller, between the impeller and the front plate. I’m guessing, but I think the mesh rubs on the front face plate causing problems with startup. Haven’t had a problem since.

jgraz · May 2, 2013

Paul, I was looking on eBay last night noticed that there are quite a few via aqua's for sale. I was thinking about grabbing a few. Also the reef filtration section has a promising upgrade that will be available to switch to a sicce pump.

jgraz · May 2, 2013

Here you go
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110731

Small triggers · Dec 11, 2013

redfishbluefish said:
I had the same problem when I first got my skimmer (SWC 160 with Atman 2500). I found by simply putting two small nylon washers (found at HD in the drawers in the hardware section), it solved that problem. Put the washers of the front of the impeller, between the impeller and the front plate. I’m guessing, but I think the mesh rubs on the front face plate causing problems with startup. Haven’t had a problem since.

How did you get the face off do the pump to get to the mesh and wheel?

redfishbluefish · Dec 12, 2013

Turn the locking collar piece 1/8 turn clockwise and take that off.

Now try wiggling the pipe-like inlet back and forth while pulling outward. It's held in place by a rubber O-ring.....friction fit.

Small triggers · Dec 13, 2013

Thanks...mine for some reason is a bit difficult...
Anyone find a good replacement for it? I love my SWC skimmer, but this pump is driving me crazy!

Singlefin · Dec 13, 2013

Same here. Any upgrades?

redfishbluefish · Dec 13, 2013

I had heard a while back, through the grape vine, that it was going to be a Sicce pump…that would require current Atman skimmers to have some modifications. But never heard anything else, and now the SWC 150 and 160 (both using the Atman 2500) are listed as “Sold Out” on the SWC site.

Singlefin · Dec 14, 2013

Ugh. It's a good skimmer. Not sure if its better to get some backup Atman pumps or just invest in another skimmer. Kinda lame to have to blow into the tube to get the bubbles started every time it shuts off.

Small triggers · Dec 14, 2013

If this pump dies, I'm jumping to an avast recirculating skimmer...sicce pumps and all...
I figure if I have to spend that much on a replacement pump I'm just going to change out skimmers..I don't know if I feel like a $50replacment of the same point of sale pump would make me feel any better,lol especially if they have had issues after only 6 months and such....being I've only had this skimmer for a year, bought it new and had to pull it out of the sump 5 times now for problems...,

general0 · Dec 14, 2013

I found an image online where someone was able to use the Sicce pumps on the Bubble Magus NAC77 (the model I have) so I would guess that the Sicce pumps would be a great replacement pump for these skimmers. My Atmans are working great so far but I will eventually be upgrading to these once they do need replacing.

Not my picture (hope the owner doesn't mind) but an example of what you can do to swap out to a better pump. I think he is using the PSK-600, I would have though the PSK-1000's would be a direct replacement personally. Would they be too much for this skimmer?