Anyone using Precision Marine Bullet XL 3 or XL 4?

[Nanook]

I am thinking of getting one of these skimmers or something comparable. Anyone have any firsthand experience with these?

 

[Nanook]

http://www.precisionmarine.com/html/xl-4.html

 

[Nanook]

FWIW, this will be a second skimmer on my 1000 gallon system. While the needlewheel skimmer is great, I miss the quick removal of scum and thick scum that a Beckett injector provides.

 

[megaspoot]

Not sure if this helps, but I have a bullet 3 and the thing is a beast! Very good service from PM too. I had a leak in the skimmer box, and even though I bought it used, they stood behind their product and replaced it.

 

[mm949]

i run both XL2 and XL4
the XL4 is on my 1350 w/hammerhead pump....tank load is light right now (60 fish) and it pulls 1-2L a day of dark green tea
in 20yrs of reef keeping i would NEVER buy another brand of skimmer

they rock

 

[Nanook]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13257743#post13257743 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mm949
i run both XL2 and XL4
the XL4 is on my 1350 w/hammerhead pump....tank load is light right now (60 fish) and it pulls 1-2L a day of dark green tea
in 20yrs of reef keeping i would NEVER buy another brand of skimmer

they rock

How often do you take it apart to clean? Is it very time consuming? Also, how is the noise level of that Hammerhead and skimmer combined, do you run mufflers???

Thanks!

 

[Fiziksgeek]

I started off my salt water experience with a little bullet 1. Thought it was a quality unit, so I would asume the larger ones are also of similar quality. Mine didnt work so well, but that was due to the poor pump the LFS recommended. I upgraded the pump and got much better performance.

Later on...when I learned not to listen to the LFS, I used a dual beckett from MRC with a 24" x 8"dia. extension, making it about 50"tall in total. It was relatively loud and a real power hog, but I gotta admit, it pulled out junk like crazy. I cleaned it 2-3X a week. I replaced this skimmer with a deltec for a couple reasons. The biggest being I decided to downscale my plans, so I didnt think the giant beckett was necessary. I would say it performed better than my 851, but it also drew 6x the power...

 

[mm949]

the head gets cleaned weekly along with the body....
the pump is very quiet
the injectors get cleaned monthly or as needed

takes about 5min to clean
i do not run the mufflers cuz they decrease performance
the first week it sounded like a major gas leak but now its quieter

 

[Nanook]

Thanks for the firsthand experiences everyone!

 

[Nanook]

If you were to rate the noise level after it broke in how loud would you say it was?

 

[mm949]

10 being loudest.....id rate it a 3....my cooling fan makes more noise

 

[Nanook]

Thanks!