Skimmer pump modifications
- Thread starter Reefing Madness
- Start date
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OP
OP
With this, would you says its 100% better only because its more silent and no maintenance compared to the Mesh Mod? But both perform equal?
navila06
Well-Known Member
Well here are the mods I have done and the views on each one:
1. Mesh-wheel impeller on PSK-2500 on MSX-160: It pulled more air and made smaller bubbles, but it also had major startup issues after adding the mesh. Also the mesh would wear out requiring maintenance and replacement every 6 months or so. I used 3 layers of quality Enkamat with zip-ties to hold it into the impeller. The impeller was a special one created specifically to use the mesh as well.
2. Increasing the size of the air intake line on Sicce PSK-2500 on MSX-160: This helped greatly and turned the skimmer into a loud monsterEven with the silencer it pulled so much air it sounded like a small vacuum.
3. Red Devil Pinwheel mod on PSK-2500 on MSX-160 and MSX-200: This was 100% better than the mesh mods. No startup issues and pulled about the same amount of air. The increased reliability and reduced maintenance was enough to never go back to a meshwheel.
4. PSK-1000 replacement for the PSK-2500 on MSX-200: This pump has about the same performance, but it doesn't interface with the skimmer well. Also I cannot get the Red Devil pinwheel to fit so I am running a stock wheel. It would be much better if my existing parts worked with this pump, but in the end it is a better pump for the skimmer.
5. Lengthened air intake line on MSX-200: I was having PH issues due to higher than normal winter CO2 in the house. I ran a longer tube from the silencer to the top of the tank to suck in the air higher in the room (CO2 is heavier than Oxygen). I thought this would help with the PH but to be honest it didn't have much effect at all.
run the airline out side, this drastically improved my PH issues.
OP
OP
Using the Mesh Mod, you cut out almost all the pin wheels. You just need to have the ends, well, not even really needing the ends. You take off the top, and start layering the mesh on it. I used super glue in just lil spots to get it to hold.
