Upgrade skimmer pump or new skimmer

[Kershaw]

So I have a older reef octopus that I think the motor is dying. It has trouble starting after I shut it off and it just dose not pull much out anymore. my skimmer is the reef octopus classic 200. I was thinking of getting a bubble blaster for it. But not sure what size or if I need any special adapters. Or should I just get a whole new skimmer. But I only have about 300 to spend. Thanks for the help

 

[Kershaw]

Here is a pic of the skimmer I have but its all black. But same pump

I am considering the 202s Classic from reef octopus. Oh and his is for a 125 gallon tank

 

[Kershaw]

No one knows?

 

[Martin H. Lawton]

I would get a new skimmer.. The skimmer is good but can't be fully cleaned out..

 

[Downbeach]

I would call Coralvue and see if you can get the appropriate adapter to connect the Bubble Blaster pump, and recommended pump.

 

[adam87]

I have the same skimmer, I upgraded the pump to a bb3000.

 

[Kershaw]

Thanks for the reply. I have also been considering the ice cap k2 160. But it's a bit more then I can spend at the moment. So I might save for that.

I will try and call coralvue today and see what they have to say

 

[Kershaw]

I have the same skimmer, I upgraded the pump to a bb3000.

Did you have to change anything to do that?
And was it worth it?

 

[mcarroll]

I would give the pump and impeller a thorough cleaning with vinegar and a toothbrush.

Make sure the air intake and associated plumbing and fittings are clean too.

If that doesn't help, I think it's hard to argue against getting a replacement for what's broken - usually just an impeller.

At most, get a new pump that's the same model as your old one.

"Upgrading" the skimmer is an unlikely scenario if it worked well to begin with - it won't get better, it will get mor finnicky - so spending a bunch of money on an "upgrade" isn't a good way to go IMO. If needed, either replace the impeller or the pump with a direct replacement, or if you really want to get something new that would be an upgrade...

Spend $325 on a Tunze 9415. Great skimmer, easy to own, very compact, works like a beast, has several unique features.

But again, if all you have is a cleaning to do or a new impeller to try out....

 

[Kershaw]

Well I bought it used and it looked new. It worked better then it dose now. But not like an old reef octopus I used to have that had a sicce pump that faced down. That one was amazing. I will pull it out and clean and check impeller. Hopefully this week.

 

[Kershaw]

So I cleaned skimmer. Pulled needle impeller it, it was filled with macro algae from my fuge. Cleaned it all out and it started skimming. And started right up. However. After about an hour skimmer is bubbling but the bubbles are not really rising up

 

[bobman]

Make sure airline is clean and give it time of still nothing by tomorrow then I would replace the impeller. If it moves the motor/pump is fine and most likely and bad impeller.

 

[reef_junkie]

If you're still on the fence on replacing pump or replacing skimmer might I suggest buying the psk1000 pump instead if the BB. It's about a third of the cost and if you do decide to buy a new skimmer the psk will increase your value a bit. This is basically the same skimmer I have but I opted for the psk pump.

 

[Kershaw]

Make sure airline is clean and give it time of still nothing by tomorrow then I would replace the impeller. If it moves the motor/pump is fine and most likely and bad impeller.

The impeller looked in tact and the skimmer starts now when I plug it in. How can you tell if it's bad

 

[Kershaw]

If you're still on the fence on replacing pump or replacing skimmer might I suggest buying the psk1000 pump instead if the BB. It's about a third of the cost and if you do decide to buy a new skimmer the psk will increase your value a bit. This is basically the same skimmer I have but I opted for the psk pump.

What do you have to do to connect the psk 1000 to the skimmer?

 

[reef_junkie]

Its the same union that you already have. I had to buy a new union adapter because someone had glued mine in place.

 

[Kershaw]

Ok thanks. I think I will get that pump. My old reef octopus had it and performed much better then this one.

 

[reef_junkie]

If you have any doubt about the union you already have you can call Coralvue. They sell the union and do know their stuff.

 

[Kershaw]

If you're still on the fence on replacing pump or replacing skimmer might I suggest buying the psk1000 pump instead if the BB. It's about a third of the cost and if you do decide to buy a new skimmer the psk will increase your value a bit. This is basically the same skimmer I have but I opted for the psk pump.

Hey how did you connect the air line to the psk 1000. I just ordered it and realized it dose not come with one

 

[reef_junkie]

My psk came with a venturi adapter.