needle wheel pumps

[baja_hammer2003]

what needle wheel pumps are the best.
looking to up grade my 4- 4100 gen x needle wheel pumps on my skimmer looking for options need to be at least 600 gph on each pump. please include a website if you can
Also has anyone modified a eheim 1260 to a needle wheel ?Thank you

[anydarnthing]

You can get the Eheims at Finsreef this pump is a replacement part but I have seen people buy it for their DIY skimmers.
http://www.finsreef.com/product.php?productid=16350&cat=284&page=2

[baja_hammer2003]

Thanks contacted deltec about them and they want $550.00 each $300.00 is better was also thinking sedra 9000`s just not sure of performancehttp://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/583/42398IM000494.JPG

[chadfarmer]

oceanrunners

[RichConley]

How big is the neck on that skimmer? You should be able to more than max it out with 4 4100s.

[baja_hammer2003]

The O.D is 12" the neck is 4" and it`s 32" tall
Does anyone use the ocean runner or3700 pumps if so how do you like them?

[RichConley]

A 4" neck? You're probably maxed at 30 scfh. Each Genx 4100 can put out 25 or so. THeres no reason to add more air here. More air will just make it skim poorer. You need about an 8" neck

[baja_hammer2003]

are you talking about I.D of riser or how long it is? the I.D is 4" and 9.5" tall on the riser tube.
The skimmer pulls some serious gunk it`s been a great skimmer but a couple of pumps are making some noise and 1 is dripping so after 1.5 years it`s time to replace or upgrade to something better.

[RichConley]

ID

[baja_hammer2003]

I have tried running just 2 and 3 pumps it really needs more

[ChemE]

How long have you tried with 2 or 3 pumps? It will take a day or two for the foam head to stabilize, thicken up, and really start producing.

There is definitely an upper limit to how much air a given sized neck can tolerate and that neck is way way way too small for 100 scfh of air. I'm guessing the foam looks like boiling alka seltzer.

[baja_hammer2003]

I will try just 3 pumps and see what happens so you guys think that i`m over driving the skimmer now? the bubbles are not a thick foam this is very interesting maybe smaller is better in pumps for the skimmer?http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/42398IM000528.JPG

[ChemE]

So long as the foam in the neck is stable and thick, you're fine. It looks like you're getting nice dark skimmate which makes me think that you aren't getting too much air through your neck. Skimmers with too small a neck usually can only muster weak green tea.

[baja_hammer2003]

well i unplugged 1 pump last nite and the foam does look better this morning i just assummed that it needed all four pumps. i will try just 2 for the day and see what happens it looks like i will go with smaller pumps when i replace these. Thanks i will post some pic`s later today

[ChemE]

Good to hear; keep us posted.

[Roland Jacques]

baja_hammer2003

You seem to be getting a handle on the air issue with the less is more thing (in some cases). You should also try restricting the air by using a valve or silencer on your air line. Im of the opinion that resticting the air a little, produceses a slightly smaller and more consistant bubble = more foam.

Do those pumps have the pin wheels or the needle wheel in them?

For what it worth. besides the air issue, the bigest downside to that skimmer is the lack of tapered transtion from the body to the neck. i have a skimmer kind of like that with no tapper. The tapper will improve performance on that skimmer more than anything else besides air IMO. If you look at your bubbles you'll see the big hudge bubbles keep showing up in you neck. Watch them as they force the smaller bubbles back down the neck as the big ones push up to the top. If you had a tapperd neck that would not happen. All that to say i would not spend that much money on that skimmer for new pumps. i dont no if someone could tapper that transition or not. Im going to try on mine, but im going to look for some addvice as to to how it can be done.

I just look at your photo again, you wont be able to see what im talking about with the bubble in the neck.