Skimmer and replacement parts

[Eric23]

So this weekend I was cleaning out my skimmer for the first time in almost 6 months and I accidentally dropped the impeller which broke and could not be fixed rendering my skimmer useless... Being that this model the RLSS R5-i only came out about two years ago I figured it wouldn't be a problem to get a replacement but after calling coralvue and every other retailer I was surprised to find out that nobody had them... I could've even buy a new replacement pump if I wanted to... One of the retailers gave me the owner of RLSS cell phone # and he was very helpful and is currently looking through his wharehouse to see if he has one laying around but he said that it was "old stock" and wasn't sure...

My question or comment here is when looking at buying new hardware I've never really given a lot of thought to replacement parts. I've always assumed they would be available unless something was more then say 5 years old. Going forward I feel like this will definitely have an impact on who I choose to buy things from especially something expensive like a light fixture or a skimmer or what have you. I'd like to hear what everyone else thinks is a realistic amount of time you think replacement parts should be available for a piece of equipment that sells for 300+ dollars... Also this is in no way limited to RLSS a lot of manufacturers in this hobby make a limited amount of a specific model and then discontinue it once it's sold off. This could be 1,2, or 3 years but it happens all the time..

 

[JoshH]

Like most things in this world, items aren't built to last they are built to be replaced. Most skimmers on the market are revamped after a year or two and the parts that go with them are discontinued. There are however a few manufacturer's where this doesn't apply, lifereef being one of them and a couple others. But it's something that we as consumers have come to accept, who owns a cell phone for more than a year or two? not many even though they are super expensive most in society have deemed them disposable after a year and happily buy new ones regardless of whether or not they actually need them. I've had mine for 3 years now but I bought replacement batteries when they were still available so I have no need for a new one lol It's also why I went with a lifereef skimmer for my set up as there is no needlewheel and it can be run by ANY circulation pump as long as the GPH match up. Definitely spent my time doing research and digging around on different skimmers before making my purchase.

 

[Zephrant]

Definitely a risk when you are buying a product with custom components. Might look at the history of a company, and see how often they change their pumps and other critical components. But even companies that use common off the shelf parts are at risk. In the computer industry, it's unusual to be able to buy the same parts for more than two years. The manufacturers upgrade/replace on a two year cycle. The more electronics that are embedded in our devices, the less likely they are to be repairable over time.

I wonder how long electronics will be available for the new DC controlled pumps. I want one too, but I'll go in to it with the knowledge that if it breaks post-warranty, I won't be likely to fix it.

I would like to see parts for five years, but that is a lot to ask. I used to make Beckett skimmers, but Beckett discontinued the injector and I was left with the choice of making my own ($20k for the mold, plus part runs), or not making them any more. I chose to walk away from them, although I think at least one company chose to make their own injectors.

I strongly dislike the throw-away gear idea. I'm running a skimmer I built in 2006, and calcium reactor that I built in 2005. Both still running well, and I can get all parts for them still. But that is rare now days.

 

[Water Dog]

That's why I love my Lifereef venturi skimmer. No proprietary pump required. As another alternative, if you're looking for a needlewheel skimmer, look at the Ice Cap K2 skimmer. It uses unmodified, stock Sicce needlewheel pumps, so reasonably priced replacements are easily found.