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Unread 01/29/2015, 07:09 AM   #101
jackson6745
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike S View Post
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.
Had my SM203 crap out @ 11 month warranty. AquaCave replaced it for me. If mine dies again i'll probably modify a Jeabo to fit, or finally bite the bullet and get a BK. I'm not spending $225 on a defective pump.


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Unread 01/29/2015, 07:12 AM   #102
jackson6745
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Originally Posted by myram View Post
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.
This is actually scaring me. I've worked too hard to grow out my SPS tank to have a POS skimmer kill it on me Time to replace this.


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Unread 01/29/2015, 08:45 AM   #103
davidfrances
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I received the same reply from AquaCave. They claimed Skimz had a bad batch of impellers that began to fail when the plastic coating on the impellers started to disintegrate. I believe that covers some of the problems, but there are also numerous posts about the electrical cords detaching from the pump body or leaking current into the water. That is a significant safety concern and those affected by that failure should report it to the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The U.S. CPSC takes reports of electrical shock very seriously. From personal experience, a few years ago I had a high end ES line Sony stereo receiver give me a jolt, and after reporting it to the CPSC Sony replaced the defective unit with a brand new one that was a model unit higher in grade.

Skimz products are unsafe and unsound, and should be avoided.


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Unread 01/29/2015, 10:40 AM   #104
fewponds
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Well, I placed jebao DC5000 in place of "oryginal" skimz dc5000 - the impeller fits perfectly, but... is it really diffrent pump? Now waiting for pump exchange from retailer.


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Unread 02/25/2015, 02:40 PM   #105
firemedix911
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I believe it is the same pump.


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Unread 02/25/2015, 10:46 PM   #106
Larz_1
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I've only had my SKIMZ SM163 for about 3 months now. But, after reading this I decided to take it out and completely disassemble it and do an inspection.
I know it has only been 3 months, but everything looked perfect.
I did notice that the impeller did not have the plastic coating on it.
Is this a new design?
I will continue to clean/inspect on a regular basis -keeping an eye out for problems.

On a side note: I thought I'd try my RO Bubble Blaster HY-2000S to see if it would work as a replacement. Nope, won't quite fit in the SM163.

Pics of my impeller:




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Unread 06/29/2015, 01:38 PM   #107
heritage
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So glad I found this thread ! I was so close to pulling the trigger on a leopard sl203.
Think I'll keep my xs200 and upgrade the pump to the rodc3500.


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Unread 07/05/2015, 05:09 PM   #108
Reeftub
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1yr and 2 months and kicking strong, sm 253dc


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Unread 07/20/2015, 11:21 PM   #109
flyfisher2
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Testing my friends SL183 and after several days I haven't been able to control the micro bubbles coming out of the return.
Any ideas?
He experienced the same problem when he used it


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Unread 07/21/2015, 08:54 AM   #110
kegogut
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How long is several days?


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"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.
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Unread 07/21/2015, 09:48 AM   #111
kegogut
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My Skimz took about 2-3 weeks to break in


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"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.
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Unread 07/21/2015, 09:59 AM   #112
ericarenee
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kegogut View Post
My Skimz took about 2-3 weeks to break in
Same here.. I thought it was sooner but i realized when it was finally there . I Had to keep adjusting until this point..Now it produces thick black slimey STINKY Smelly gross mess...

I never had any air bubble issues at all..


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Unread 07/24/2015, 09:55 AM   #113
swiftvision
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Are people still having problems with these?


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Unread 07/24/2015, 10:01 AM   #114
kegogut
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swiftvision View Post
Are people still having problems with these?
Ive never had problems with mine.


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"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.
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Unread 07/24/2015, 08:08 PM   #115
Reeftub
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No problems here either


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Unread 08/01/2015, 12:16 AM   #116
DOGGIE750
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Got me a SKIMZ SM 252 MONZTER E-SERIES - EXTERNAL PROTEIN SKIMMER for my 400gal, break in --In Progress. Looks like a beast, we'll see.


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Unread 08/23/2015, 04:45 PM   #117
Eel-byte
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I just got the sm163, having issues with the instructions. I have the skimmer in 9" of water. I cannot close the basics far enough to bring the water level to wear it says it should be on the initial break-in period. Also I cannot find instructions on the different rpm settings.

Thanks


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Unread 08/23/2015, 05:24 PM   #118
ericarenee
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eel-byte View Post
I just got the sm163, having issues with the instructions. I have the skimmer in 9" of water. I cannot close the basics far enough to bring the water level to wear it says it should be on the initial break-in period. Also I cannot find instructions on the different rpm settings.

Thanks

You should set the air screw in the silencer assembly all the way closed then open it about 3/4 a turn... Open the gate valve all the way up..

Let the skimmer settle for a hour..
Then slowly close the gate until the water reached the area where the Collection cup attaches..
Wait a while again for it to settle... Then slowly close the air very slight turns
Wait.
turn
wait.
Do this until the bubbles are just below the bottom of the collection cup.. Then wait 3-4 days and adjust..
check it often as you may have to start adjusting more at any time.

This is how i set mine up..

Closing the AIR Raises the bubbles.. Closing the gate raises the water level.

Opening the The air lowers the Bubbles. Opening the gate lowers the water level...


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Unread 08/23/2015, 06:43 PM   #119
icebrg5
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Have had my sn143 for about 2 weeks now and its dialed in for the most part. Took a good week and a half of small daily adjustments to get it where i wanted it but its pulling some dark nasty stuff now.

Only problem I am having now is the refugium light is causing algae to grow inside the skimmer body. I'm thinking of getting a black silicon pot holder and wrapping it around the body to block out any light from getting inside the skimmer body.


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Unread 08/25/2015, 07:19 AM   #120
jake2045
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Ok I have the sn143 and I pull alot of wet skimmate, I empty the collection cup ever two days but would like it to be drier. I tried the close the air valve then open it 3/4 turn and adjusting the gate valve for water height to just under the contention of the cup still wet. Has anyone run there on say 5 pump power? MI ro bubble are still a problem for me also. Love the skimmer super quite


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Unread 08/26/2015, 10:46 AM   #121
Eel-byte
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ericarenee View Post
You should set the air screw in the silencer assembly all the way closed then open it about 3/4 a turn... Open the gate valve all the way up..

Let the skimmer settle for a hour..
Then slowly close the gate until the water reached the area where the Collection cup attaches..
Wait a while again for it to settle... Then slowly close the air very slight turns
Wait.
turn
wait.
Do this until the bubbles are just below the bottom of the collection cup.. Then wait 3-4 days and adjust..
check it often as you may have to start adjusting more at any time.

This is how i set mine up..

Closing the AIR Raises the bubbles.. Closing the gate raises the water level.

Opening the The air lowers the Bubbles. Opening the gate lowers the water level...
Run the pump at full speed?


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Unread 09/19/2015, 09:25 PM   #122
Cabo2008
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Well, just thought I'd chime in.

Just got home from a weeks vacation to see my skimmer (SN123) NOT skimming. I'm going to take it apart in the morning, but I have a feeling my pump or impeller is shot.


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Unread 09/19/2015, 09:32 PM   #123
Reeftub
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How long have you had it and is it dc pump?


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Unread 09/22/2015, 05:36 PM   #124
DamonG
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SM251 internal.. It's been running great so far!


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Unread 10/06/2015, 01:18 PM   #125
Cabo2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Reeftub View Post
How long have you had it and is it dc pump?
Sorry, not sure how I missed your question, guess I need to open my eyes a little better...lol

Anyway, I've had it since July. I ended up taking it apart and giving the pump/impeller a vinegar bath. After cleaning, I reassembled and tried to fire it up in a bucket of RO/DI (wasn't going to re-install it in the sump yet). The impeller still didn't move but the controller was lighting up.

Sent it all over to Aquacave, they "repaired" it and sent it back. I tested it, and now it works like a champ again. They didn't tell me what was wrong with it so I sent them a note asking about it. They replied stating that the impeller was seized in the pump from build up and that I should clean the pump in vinegar/water every 2-3 months.

While I agree with the cleaning schedule, it doesn't make sense as I did clean it prior to opening a ticket with them and it didn't help. So I don't know, I guess I'll just have to wait and see.


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