Can I replace my Sicce PSK 1000 with VarioS 2s ATB 840 v2

[cthedaytrader]

I have the ATB 840 v2 on my system. I have had it for 5 years now, since it came out. Can't believe it has been that long. The skimmer is a beast lol. It stunk when they stopped selling them in the US, but its great that they are back here again.

My system is a net 100g of water.


I was thinking about upgrading the pump. I have two PSK 1000, I keep one as a back up, in those 5 years I have relaized that I have really only blown the pinwheel two times, my second one this past weekend while I was away, figures.

I have been looking into upgrading the pump for a while, and would love the controllability of the DC pumps, and to have the ability to control it with my Apex.

The PSK 1000 is rated at 370gph with a max air of 720L/H and 25 SCFH.


I was thinking about trying to upgrading to the VarioS-2S Controllable Skimmer Pump

Its seems comprarible, but with even less wattage. 238gph max air at 900L/H 31SCFH.

I didnt think it would be too hard to mod it to fit, possibly a 1 inch to 3/4 reducer and soft fit tubing to the ATB body like the PSK connects.

Is the reduced flow of the two pumps an issue? I wasnt sure if that was as important as the Air and SCFH. The VarioS- 4s has 422gph, and 1500 L/H, with 52 SCFH seemed way too much pump. I already feel like the skimmer is a bit too much for my system lol.

I know ATB now has the Airstar 1200DCT, which would also be an upgrade. But I am not too sure how keen I am on a jebao pump on my skimmer It also has no Apex controllability, and is basically the same price point as a VarioS pumps.

Any other ideas would be appreciated.

 

[jbird0420]

Following along.
I have the same Sicce pump and it is loud AF! I'm looking into the VarioS-4S Controllable Skimmer Pump or Bubble Blaster. I see some issues online with the bubble blasters though.

Anyone out there have the VarioS pumps and can chime in on there performance??

Thanks

 

[abhishek@1985]

Tagging along .. I have got the psk 2500 and would definitely look into possible replacements .

Regards,
Abhishek

 

[cthedaytrader]

Following along.
I have the same Sicce pump and it is loud AF! I'm looking into the VarioS-4S Controllable Skimmer Pump or Bubble Blaster. I see some issues online with the bubble blasters though.

Anyone out there have the VarioS pumps and can chime in on there performance??

Thanks

I do have some experience with the reef octopus DC pump, I have the 5500 RODC that I have been using as a return pump for the last year, I love it, very quiet and reliable so far, although it is controllable, not via the APEX. I believe the Various is really the same pump with a different power supply and controller. I was thinking about upgrading it, and I contacted Coralvue and they responded right away, and now they have kits going up, but if you buy all the upgrade parts seperatley with shipping its close to $200 around $175, seems a bit pricey when the Various pump I would be upgrading it to is $285 lol.

Tagging along .. I have got the psk 2500 and would definitely look into possible replacements .

Regards,
Abhishek

I believe the PSK 1000 is the upgraded pump you could use to replace the psk2500.

My psk 1000 is noisy at times, but I just cleaned it and put a new impeller in it and its been rather quiet again.

The PSK is rather reliable, and one issue that has worried be about changing pumps is the big upside and benefit of the atb 840 has been that most people say it is a very well balanced skimmer, which is part of the reason I havent wanted to change pumps.

 

[cthedaytrader]

I also contact Coralvue nearly the same time I posted this, and they answered almost immediately.

They said that they would not recommend reducing the outlet on the pump. They said it would reduce the efficiency of the pump, and it wont draw as much air, and it wont work right.

While I would agree with that, I wondered if it would matter if the pump lost some efficiency and power, given the ability to adjust the pump, and if the pump was somewhat over sized to begin with.

Overall, I decided to get the new Airtstar 1200DCT, I figured that even though its a Jebao/Jecod, that ATB would have taken the time to test it, engineer it and make sure it is well balanced for the skimmer, and the few reviews I could find so far were positive.

While the price seems a little steep for a Jebao, I also figured while not controllable with the Apex it was controllable so I could dial it down a little for my needs.

I suppose now I will have to see how reliable it is and how long it lasts.

Another positive I found was alteast if it does go, I am assuming the body can be replaced with a standard jebao motor block, which seems to be around $75 bucks. That is assuming i can attach the ATB volute to it. Time will tell lol.

 

[abhishek@1985]

I believe the PSK 1000 is the upgraded pump you could use to replace the psk2500.

My psk 1000 is noisy at times, but I just cleaned it and put a new impeller in it and its been rather quiet again.

The PSK is rather reliable, and one issue that has worried be about changing pumps is the big upside and benefit of the atb 840 has been that most people say it is a very well balanced skimmer, which is part of the reason I havent wanted to change pumps.

Do you know if the psk 1000 will fit into the volute of the psk 2500 pump ? Or do I have to change the volute too?

Regards,
Abhishek

 

[cthedaytrader]

I am not sure exactly what you would need. Are you running the older version of the ATB 840, the 1.5 I believe. I got the version 2.0 when it was first released and it came with the PSK 1000.

The skimmer I had before that used the PSK 2500, it was not ATB, and I can tell you right away the PSK 1000 is an complete upgrade even from a reliability stand point.

You might want to ask ATB USA about upgrading the pump, I have seen them post that either the PSK 1000 is an upgrade or the Airstar 1200.

Here is a recent thread which briefly discusses it, and has a link to the PSK 1000 from Avast which has a venturi attachment.

I can tell you my PSK 1000 has a slip on venturi which just pops on, not sure if the PSK 2500 screws on or not.

 

[cthedaytrader]

Forgot to link the thread lol

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560753&highlight=psk+1000