Pacific Coast Needle Wheel Skimmers...

[Horace]

Anyone know if the Pacific Coast Needle Wheel skimmers are any good??? I am looking at the PS-300P. here is a link to it http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...keyresult5.asp . It says it is rated for 200gal and it is a needle wheel skimmer which are known to be pretty good skimmers. I just have not heard anything about this peticular one. I just need it to handle a 105gal system (75gal + 30gal sump). At $180, it seems to be a pretty good buy. Please give me your opinions!

[scubadude]

Hey Horace

Didja give up on the DIY approach already bro? I do think thats a good skimmer and I do think its equivalent to the EuroReef CS5-2 which is a bit more expensive but does have the Sedra pump/needlewheel which I think is a better setup IMO. This skimmer you posted appears to be outfitted with a Rio pump? It didnt give me any specs on the pump....thats the only thing that I dont like. Rio's are very cheap to replace but there is a reason for that Im also curious about the venturi design on the skimmer you posted. Check your Private Messages Horace

[zhenya]

Horace,

i amnot familiar with that particular skimmer but the link you provided takes you to a different search results page. i think you need this link
http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...2Dmd&offset=15

For a needle wheel type skimmer I would look into euroreef skimmers, I am not familiar with Pacific Coast skimmers at all and 179.00 sounds good but it may be the case where "you get what you paid for" applies.

[Horace]

Hey Horace

Didja give up on the DIY approach already bro? I do think thats a good skimmer and I do think its equivalent to the EuroReef CS5-2 which is a bit more expensive but does have the Sedra pump/needlewheel which I think is a better setup IMO. This skimmer you posted appears to be outfitted with a Rio pump? It didnt give me any specs on the pump....thats the only thing that I dont like. Rio's are very cheap to replace but there is a reason for that Im also curious about the venturi design on the skimmer you posted. Check your Private Messages Horace

Well I am just trying to keep my options open is all :P. I would love to go the DIY route if possible but on the other hand I dont want to end up with a DIY skimmer that doesnt work well either after spending tons of money in materials. I think if I try the DIY method I will just build the thing out of regular old PVC and see how it works. There isnt really any need for clear if you can tell its working ok I guess. Seeing I can get all the pvc tubing for probably about $10 - $15(minus the adaptors), it may be worth it to just get a working model out of that first. No sense in wasting expensive and hard to find acrylic on a model that wont work.

If I do go the DIY route, I think I am going to try and find a good pump with an already built in needle wheel as well. I dont have access to a lathe to try and modify a 3m needle wheel to work in a pump. I may try Randy's (Don's) venturi though to see if that increases the amount of air suction. I think from the amount of pictures out there I can build a euro-reef looking skimmer that hopefully will work. If it doesnt work, I can just get some more cheap pvc and redesign it :P.

So goal one for me is to find a pump :P. I have found the Sedra pumps for sale, but I just want to be 100% sure that it is outfitted with the needle wheel before I purchase it. Once I get the pump I will be on my way i guess.