Sicce Pump on Skimmer replacement but which pump?

[caribbeanguy]

So I am having some issues with my skimmer pumps I was looking into the Bubble blaster pumps but I wanted to know if anyone has ever done this and what pump they swapped out to and did efficiency go up or not? Is it a easy switch out with no intense modifications? I am looking to replace the Sicce PSK-2500 pump that came with the skimmer. Thanks for any help or direction you guys can give.

[jamey1015]

Hey caribbeanguy I swapped out the psk-2500 to a psk-1000 on my Bubble Magus bm-200 it was a little bit of a project but certainly worth it, I thought it was a decent skimmer before but it really is like a whole new animal.

I had to change the venturi because the threads are reversed (male/female) and I had to change the mounting foot, the same bubble plate would have worked but I also swapped it out for the newer style one, one last thing was the hole in the skimmer body was like 2mm too small but just take a couple hours in the afternoon and had it back in and what an improvement.

So Cal Tropical was my source for the Bubble Magus parts I needed and those guys really hooked me up, definitely recommend!

[TimeConsumer]

You could also go with the new Sicce PSK 600. It has the same flow rate so it should match your current skimmer very well. I have one on my ROE XS 160, no issues on startup like the PSK 2500's had.

[caribbeanguy]

Thanks Guys I will look into those suggestions.

[caribbeanguy]

ok so I am back at this and I did not make the change to the above mentioned pumps but I saw some people had done the bubble blaster switch that I first mentioned in my original post. My questions are
(1) do you need a BB pump that matches the GPH of the PSK2500?
(2) If GPH is not a factor then do you match the SCH rating for the pumps?
(3) The Bubble Blaster HY3000s was rumored to screw right into the PSK 2500 union is this true?
(4) If you have done this type of switch can you give some pointers?

Thanks

[Bob Nell]

I had similar issue. I purchased another sicce for backup. I think I read that tunze makes a pump that is interchangeable with the sicce.

[moondoggy4]

The tunze 9420 is a replacement for the Sicce 2500 pump. I did the exchange on my I-tech 200 skimmer, easy.

[caribbeanguy]

OK I looked those up but the GPH is only 343. The GPH on the PSK 2500 is 660. Do I need to match that as well or is the main factor the SCH value of the pump?

[caribbeanguy]

The tunze 9420 is a replacement for the Sicce 2500 pump. I did the exchange on my I-tech 200 skimmer, easy.

Moondoggy4 any change in performance? Same bubble production etc?

[GrampaDon]

Does your SWC 250 use 2 PSK2500 pumps.?
Like this http://www.customaquatic.com/estore/control/product/~product=PS-SWC-X250

[caribbeanguy]

Same thing but more like this
http://www.customaquatic.com/estore/control/product/~product=PS-SWC-2SCONE

[dread240]

that's the same skimmer I have (250 cone)

I swapped both 2500's with 1000's from Avast Marine... Avast sells a venturi kit with the same size air intake barbs as the original 2500's, and also the proper straight-thread o-ring coupler to change the gender of the output.

http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/SICCE-PSK1000

everything you need all in one stop

[caribbeanguy]

how has that been performing for you Dread240?
I will give Avast a call in the AM. Thanks

[GrampaDon]

On my old SWX-200 I swapped the PSK for a Bubble Blaster 2000.
It was a good match as a replacement pump.

Yours could use the BB-3000 and block off the extra port somehow.
The easiest way would be as dread240 says.

The BB pumps are a easy swap.
But I would consider the Sicce 1000 pumps as the safest bet.

[caribbeanguy]

Thanks GrandpaDon I will look into the 1000, my concern is the longevity of the pump, those 2500s always had had stopping/startup issue. Hopefully the 1000 does not have that issue also.

[dread240]

I replaced the first 2500 back in february due to starting issues. (I said I got both from avast but I actually got all the adapters from avast now, the first pump actually came from Marine Depot with their venturi kit, which I do not like)

I have not cleaned the pump or done any maintenance on it at all, and ran just the one new one for that long because I only had to shut down 1 when doing maintenance or feeding. The 1000 has started everytime without issues for me, whereas my 2500's were problematic from the start to say the least.

After the second 2500 failed and just wouldn't go at all anymore, I ordered the pump kit from avast as well as the additional venturi/adapter for the other pump, and it's a huge improvement in air intake and ease of swap compared to MD with a coupler from Home Depot

[moondoggy4]

Moondoggy4 any change in performance? Same bubble production etc?

I would say the same but no start up issues, quieter and it has a two year warranty and the impeller's are cheaper and better.

[tfrizz80]

I have the old octopus extreme 250 skimmer with 2 psk 2500 on it. I fought the pumps for years. I always had to shut the valve almost closed to get skimmate. I bought 2 of the 1000s and it's now the best skimmer I ever had. I don't even have to turn the valve half way and I get a great foam head. The airlines on the ventury are about half the size as the 2500 but it seems like I am getting a lot better air flow. I highly recommend this upgrade. The price of these pumps seem to be much less than some of the others also. Win win for me lol.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[dread240]

I have the old octopus extreme 250 skimmer with 2 psk 2500 on it. I fought the pumps for years. I always had to shut the valve almost closed to get skimmate. I bought 2 of the 1000s and it's now the best skimmer I ever had. I don't even have to turn the valve half way and I get a great foam head. The airlines on the ventury are about half the size as the 2500 but it seems like I am getting a lot better air flow. I highly recommend this upgrade. The price of these pumps seem to be much less than some of the others also. Win win for me lol.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

The venturi kits from avast use the same size air line that was on the 2500's... If you get the aquamaxx venturi kit then yea it is about half the size (which sucked for me because it still needed the larger hose for going to the air muffler thingie)

[caribbeanguy]

Sounds like a great plan thanks guys appreciate the help. Calling Avast as soon as they open.

[swcc]

The tunze 9420 is a replacement for the Sicce 2500 pump. I did the exchange on my I-tech 200 skimmer, easy.

yeah, get the 9420..
excellent pump....

[percula99]

Mysery loves company so I am happy to find other people trouble shooting a problem I have been having for years. Not that I am happy you are having problems. :rolleye1: I bought an ATI Bubble Master 250 in Sept. 09. I love the skimmer itself when both Sicce PSK-2500s are running. One Sicce has worked flawlessly since purchase, but the other has always been a problem on start up. Heaven forbid I need to interrupt the power supply for any reason. I have had problems finding replacement parts in Canada so I have McGivered a solution. I used the end caps from a Maxi-Jet 1200 and drilled out the holes to accomodate the ceramic shaft of the Sicce. It works for a few months and then eventually breaks down so I need a permanent replacement. Replacement parts would be my first choice but if I need to buy a replacement pump I will. Tagging along to see what you come up with. Thanks.