|
11/07/2014, 10:03 AM | #76 |
#347, 19 years
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Biddeford, ME
Posts: 1,714
|
That's my SM-161 in my 30 breeder sump That's 3 days of skimmate, still dialing it in but I think I'm pretty close now. |
12/15/2014, 02:46 PM | #77 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 726
|
BRS has the Skimz 203 DC on sale for a good rate. How would it do on a 180? What DC pump does it use? I read above there has been some issue with them.
Thank you.
__________________
Jacob SCA 120G RB 48 V2 |
12/15/2014, 03:23 PM | #78 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 389
|
I saw that also,
Six RPM presets Feed mode with shut off timer Air Draw: 238-476 GPH (900-1800 LPH) Power Consumption: 13-35 Watts I have the sm253 cd on my 190 It does good only thing is my tank isn't completely stocked and so it doesn't put the nasty dark stuff yet. Tank is less than a year old. I would run the 203 cuz it's less space and will cover the 180 just fine. |
12/15/2014, 04:17 PM | #79 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: St.Louis
Posts: 5,052
|
Ive got the SM201 and now that its on a platform i made and in my 225 w/ 225 sump its pulling out the nastiest gunk Ive ever seen.
__________________
Dave. "I have learned all kinds of things from my many mistakes. The one thing I never learn is to stop making them." --Nicomo Cosca. Current Tank Info: 225 mixed w/ 225 sump 550 lbs live rock,3x MarinePure ceramic blocks,Skimz SM201,Geo 618 CR,Vectra L1,DOS automatic water changes,3x 250w MH w/ 4x actinic T5,All ran by Apex thru Fusion.--57 community tank w/ OR T-247,120 nem tank. |
12/15/2014, 04:22 PM | #80 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 389
|
How deep do you have in the water?
|
12/15/2014, 04:44 PM | #81 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: St.Louis
Posts: 5,052
|
I believe its 9 inches . I'll double check to make sure.
__________________
Dave. "I have learned all kinds of things from my many mistakes. The one thing I never learn is to stop making them." --Nicomo Cosca. Current Tank Info: 225 mixed w/ 225 sump 550 lbs live rock,3x MarinePure ceramic blocks,Skimz SM201,Geo 618 CR,Vectra L1,DOS automatic water changes,3x 250w MH w/ 4x actinic T5,All ran by Apex thru Fusion.--57 community tank w/ OR T-247,120 nem tank. |
12/15/2014, 08:36 PM | #82 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 389
|
That's what I'm at too
|
12/29/2014, 06:42 AM | #83 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 194
|
i just got a SM201 and it leaks under the collection cup, ill have to contact the company after work
|
12/29/2014, 07:49 AM | #84 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Manitowoc, WI
Posts: 607
|
Quote:
How do you have it hooked to the apex? Thanks, Chris
__________________
220 gallon DT and 90 gallon sump, all DC powered, APEX gold with DOS, feeder, and a few extra modules, Avast Marine swabbie on Skimz Monster 258, 6 Rapid LED Onyx fixtures, BRS dosers, 4 Jaebo RW-15. Current Tank Info: 220 Gallon, 29 Gallon, 2-20L QT, and a 20 gallon tall octogon tank waiting to be setup for a seahorse tank. |
|
12/29/2014, 09:45 AM | #85 |
Registered Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Parkville, MO
Posts: 666
|
|
12/29/2014, 05:50 PM | #86 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 194
|
Quote:
Did you get replacement pumps under warranty?? Who did you contact? The skimz.sg site? Did you email or call? Last edited by scottsdale454ss; 12/29/2014 at 05:56 PM. |
|
12/29/2014, 06:42 PM | #87 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Upper Marlboro, MD
Posts: 109
|
I've got a SM163 MONZTER for my new system.
|
01/24/2015, 08:15 AM | #88 |
Registered Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Parkville, MO
Posts: 666
|
I purchased two (2) Skimz SM 251's a little over two years ago when I first set up my DT's. I spent a fair bit of time researching the product, and finally purchased them on the advice from Aqua Cave. I subsequently acquired a SM 121 for my frag system.
Overall, I have been very disappointed with the pumps on the Skimz. The cords on two of the pumps started to leak electrical current into the water, resulting in some electrifying moments. Impellers last about 6 months, I have replaced four, and now just noticed that I have two more that have failed. Basically, the plastic cover on the impeller magnet will swell and crack, and the pump then binds and stops. I do not run ozone in my tanks, and cannot understand why this failure occurs. The skimmer body and construction is top notch, but my experience with the pumps is less than satisfactory. Customer service from the manufacturer is non-existent, and customer service from the retailer is poor. I have replaced a few of the pumps through the extended warranty offered by my credit card, but now even that has expired. The cost of the replacement pumps on my SM 251's is almost $200, and replacement impellers are $100. I am just tired of dealing with these POS's. I am replacing the Skimz on my DT's with another product, but I cannot caution people enough against the Skimz pumps. |
01/24/2015, 09:32 AM | #89 |
#347, 19 years
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Biddeford, ME
Posts: 1,714
|
I just had to replace the pump on my Skimz SM-161. During a routine cleaning, the electrical cord fell off the pump. I'm guessing this is what was putting voltage into my system that I couldn't find. I was lucky that the pump was under a year old, and Aquacave replaced it under warranty. But I also went ahead and bought a replacement pump for the skimmer, but it was $180 for it.
I love the skimmer, but I keep hearing from others online about the pump and impeller problems. |
01/24/2015, 10:02 AM | #90 |
Registered Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Parkville, MO
Posts: 666
|
I am contemplating filing a written complaint with the Consumer Product Safety Commission. You should consider it.
|
01/24/2015, 02:09 PM | #91 |
#347, 19 years
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Biddeford, ME
Posts: 1,714
|
Does any other pump fit the Skimz line of skimmers?
Has anyone every used a Sicce pump in them? They look very similar to the Eden pumps that come with them. I was surprised when I got the skimmer that it wasn't a grounded 3 wire plug on the pump, just a thin 2 wire plug. I love the skimmer.....great build quality and performance..........but the pump seems to be a weakness. |
01/25/2015, 01:05 PM | #92 |
Registered Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Parkville, MO
Posts: 666
|
It might have been a little unfair to post criticism of the Skimz product, without proof, so here you go.
This impeller failed catastrophically: I had to dig the pieces out of the pump. This is what it looks like without the plastic sleeve: You can see how the metal cover on the magnet is beginning to corrode. Here are a couple of other impellers, this is how they look after 90-120 days of operation. The plastic sleeve has just begun to crack and swell, and at this point the impeller will bind up in the pump and stop working. I wondered if the pumps would work if I removed the plastic cover? Yeah, the pump sounds like a concrete drill for a couple hours and then stops working. The Skimz product is terrible. Caveat emptor. |
01/27/2015, 03:26 PM | #93 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 399
|
I really like the idea of a dc skimmer because the feed pump would make my life easier but am afraid of the pumps and support. Would you buy this skimmer again. It's between the sm163 or the aquamaxx. Suggestions
__________________
125 gal DT with 30 Sump, ReefBreeders LEDs, Mixed Reef |
01/27/2015, 04:03 PM | #94 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Poconos pa
Posts: 30
|
Quote:
|
|
01/27/2015, 04:09 PM | #95 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: RP
Posts: 100
|
Quote:
|
|
01/27/2015, 04:34 PM | #96 |
Registered Member
|
I have the SM-163 and it's been problem free after 6 months, but I don't want to jinx it. If I had to replace the pump, I'd replace it with the newest version of the Reef Octopus DC-3500 pump. They appear to have a nearly identical external shape.
|
01/27/2015, 05:30 PM | #97 |
#347, 19 years
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Biddeford, ME
Posts: 1,714
|
I would pick Aquamaxx.
I was going to go with an Aquamaxx CO-1, but it needed 9.5" of water and I only have 8". The Skimz SM-161 fit my sump perfect and does perform very very well, but the pump is the obvious weakness. |
01/27/2015, 05:43 PM | #98 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 399
|
Thanks you have made my decision much easier.
__________________
125 gal DT with 30 Sump, ReefBreeders LEDs, Mixed Reef |
01/28/2015, 08:39 PM | #99 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 389
|
Ok so has anyone with the DC style pumps have any issues? And how long? I have the sm-253 dc and it's been running for sometime but just curios
|
01/28/2015, 10:35 PM | #100 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 387
|
The DC pump on my SL253 quit at about 11 months. Aqua Cave took care of it under warranty. They indicated that they've had a few issues with them. I seem to recall other manufacturers having similiar problems with DC pumps. If mine dines again I will probably replace it with a bubble blaster or another standard pump. That is one advantage and part of the reason that I went with a skimmer with an external pump.
|
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
DIY Skimmer Club | Vegas. | Do It Yourself | 77 | 07/26/2021 02:47 PM |
SWC Extreme Cone Skimmer Club | mike810 | Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment | 678 | 08/12/2010 06:51 PM |
Jackson Area Reef Club | techdiver | Tennessee Reefers | 2 | 06/06/2010 05:39 PM |
Southeast GA Reef Club New club site | segreefclub | Announcements | 1 | 05/13/2010 12:50 AM |