Skimz Skimmer Rant...

[Elgringodiablo]

In May of 2016, I got a Skimz SN123 Monzter... It was one of the very few options for the sump of my Red Sea Reefer Nano. 13 months later the pump died, one month after the warranty was up. I spent $100 to replace the pump... Today, 12.5 months later, the replacement pump has died.

I feel like I bought a Gillette Mach5 (or whatever they are on now)... Skimmer was $199 retail, maybe like $130 on sale, but if I keep having to replace the pump for $100... they make more selling me disposable replacement pumps.

Long story short, I wish I had just spent $300 on a good skimmer to begin with and I don't think I will be spending any more money on Skimz products.

 

[Reeferdood]

Bumps in the road are just learning curves in this hobby. But you are right, spend the money up front and avoid headaches later on down the road. I know it is an expensive hobby but you end up spending more the tighter you are in the beginning...
Sad truth..

 

[madweazl]

Could it be related to maintenance issues?

 

[Reeferdood]

Could it be related to maintenance issues?

Likely poor motor blocks, I am not a fan of skimz, had a Ca/Rx crap out on me right at the 1 year mark too....

 

[Elgringodiablo]

Could it be related to maintenance issues?

Nope. Took it apart, impeller was fine. No buildup or gunk on any moving parts in both cases. Probably the motor block.

Honestly, if it were an option I would have gone Vertex, but they don’t make a skimmer small enough for that sump. Probably replace it with a Reef Octopus Essence. I’ve got Varios returns on two of my other systems and they run like champs.

 

[Elgringodiablo]

Likely poor motor blocks, I am not a fan of skimz, had a Ca/Rx crap out on me right at the 1 year mark too....

I believe that is the case. I couldn’t find any evidence of damage or buildup that would cause it to jam and burn out.

I get that DC pumps don’t last like AC, but all of the ones that have just died on me have been budget brands like Skimz.

 

[Reeferdood]

Good DC pumps last a while, worth every penny!

 

[madweazl]

I certainly dont understand the use of DC pumps on skimmers.

 

[Reeferdood]

I certainly dont understand the use of DC pumps on skimmers.

Why not?
They are awesome and no heat transfer from an AC block...

 

[Elgringodiablo]

Why not?
They are awesome and no heat transfer from an AC block...

That and additional tune-ability, change the speed to the pump to further optimize the performance. Right now, I wish I could turn down the pump on my Vertex Omega.

 

[EmdeReef]

In May of 2016, I got a Skimz SN123 Monzter... It was one of the very few options for the sump of my Red Sea Reefer Nano. 13 months later the pump died, one month after the warranty was up. I spent $100 to replace the pump... Today, 12.5 months later, the replacement pump has died.

I feel like I bought a Gillette Mach5 (or whatever they are on now)... Skimmer was $199 retail, maybe like $130 on sale, but if I keep having to replace the pump for $100... they make more selling me disposable replacement pumps.

Long story short, I wish I had just spent $300 on a good skimmer to begin with and I don't think I will be spending any more money on Skimz products.

Depending on how you paid, many credit cards will extend your warranty by up to 2yrs.

 

[madweazl]

Why not?
They are awesome and no heat transfer from an AC block...

Have you honestly ever had a heat issue with your skimmer? In the 15 years or so that I've used one, it's never been an issue.

That and additional tune-ability, change the speed to the pump to further optimize the performance. Right now, I wish I could turn down the pump on my Vertex Omega.

If you have to turn the pump down on your skimmer, it wasn't designed properly from the get go. I think DC pumps are great for the wavemakers but that is about it. Always nice to have options but when it comes to return pumps and skimmers, they're relatively useless.

 

[Reeferdood]

Have you honestly ever had a heat issue with your skimmer? In the 15 years or so that I've used one, it's never been an issue.



If you have to turn the pump down on your skimmer, it wasn't designed properly from the get go. I think DC pumps are great for the wavemakers but that is about it. Always nice to have options but when it comes to return pumps and skimmers, they're relatively useless.

Actually yes, I had an old diablo with dual Sicce pumps that would add 1.5 degrees to to overall temp..
I don’t regret going DC one bit...

 

[Erica-Renee]

I have a Skimz sm201 skimmer that has the eden 5000 AC PUMP.. IT works perfectly... I tear it down maybe twice a year to clean it... Its going on 3 years in service now.

Not sure why you are having such bad luck...... I agree no real reason to get a skimmer with dc pumps .

 

[Elgringodiablo]

Have you honestly ever had a heat issue with your skimmer? In the 15 years or so that I've used one, it's never been an issue.



If you have to turn the pump down on your skimmer, it wasn't designed properly from the get go. I think DC pumps are great for the wavemakers but that is about it. Always nice to have options but when it comes to return pumps and skimmers, they're relatively useless.

To both points...

Maybe you've never been in a position where your tank is running hot in the summer and you don't want to drop $500 on a chiller, you look at what is artificially contributing to that excess heat. Almost everything in your sump that has power going to it will generate heat...

Regarding the adjustability... Sure, once everything is broken in and your tank is running smoothly, it shouldn't really be necessary, but when your skimmer cup is blowing up because of medication or skimmer isn't fully broken in? I've got Vertex Omega 180 on my RSR450 that has ran like a workhorse for 2.5 years. I tore down the system, rebuilt, went through some dino issue, dealt with some emergency fish issues, long story short my skimmer is blowing thick slimy foam all over my sump, even with the water level at it's lowest and air all the way open. Sure, it should stop in a few weeks worth of water changes and cleaning, but I'd love it if I could run it at 50% right now until the issues have passed.

If it was a worthless feature, no one would buy them, right?

 

[Reeferdood]

There are 3 main reasons why I prefer DC..
Heat, no chance of 110 available to suddenly appear and ease of adjustment during feed mode.
Sure they are more expensive but isn't anything new these days?

 

[Elgringodiablo]

I have a Skimz sm201 skimmer that has the eden 5000 AC PUMP.. IT works perfectly... I tear it down maybe twice a year to clean it... Its going on 3 years in service now.

Not sure why you are having such bad luck...... I agree no real reason to get a skimmer with dc pumps .

I don't think it's bad luck, I think it's Skimz DC pumps (at least the DC skimmer pump) are junk.

 

[madweazl]

I saw mention of an updated pump a bit ago; I don't know if the model numbers are the same or not but perhaps you could investigate that further (provided the issue was corrected).

 

[rockskimmerflow]

Why not?
They are awesome and no heat transfer from an AC block...

Uhm not sure what to say to that assertion other than that's not how thermodynamics works.


To the OP point about skimz pump issues, they used EDEN brand blocks which are known for cord delamination at the point it meets the pump. Usually fries it within short order. Less than 2 year lifespan is not surprising. Nyos uses the Eden block too. Eheim compact line switched away from them last year.

 

[Reefcowboy]

I also have a skimz, but chose the Octa with a Messner pump. Good brands of skimmers out there aren’t guaranteed to not fail either, but going with a quality pump is the main thing to aim for.