Comparison of Recirc vs. Needlewheel skimmers.

[ErikS]

Similar internal volumes but the recirc has a much smaller stated capacity. Why?

Because some companies, such as Pacific Coast in this case decieve....they WAY overstate the capacity of their skimmers. Why do they do this? Simple, there's no standard of measurement so who's to say it's not. There is NO way that skimmer can handle 300g.

Check companies like Deltec, H&S, and ER - they give a much more accurate rating.

 

[scubaduderon]

So the 300 number is inflated?

So the 300 number is inflated?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7024446#post7024446 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ErikS
Because some companies, such as Pacific Coast in this case decieve....they WAY overstate the capacity of their skimmers. Why do they do this? Simple, there's no standard of measurement so who's to say it's not. There is NO way that skimmer can handle 300g.

Check companies like Deltec, H&S, and ER - they give a much more accurate rating.

Don't similarly sized skimmers using similar technology perform similarly?

If so then is the recirc I'm considering, the RPS-2000 which is rated at 185 gallons may be closer to the mark ratings wise?

It is a recirc needlewheel with a 5.85 inch diameter and 26.52 inches tall. Wouldn't this be comparable to a Deltec APF600, at 5 inches in diameter and a height of 23.5 inches? The Deltec is rated at 270 gallons and is physically smaller than the Pacific Coast model.

Perhaps the Pacific Coast skimmers have their numbers switched around? Maybe the needlewheel recirc should have the higher rating. This would explain my confusion.

Thank you,
Ron

 

[UCanDoIt]

i personally wouldn't trust Pacific's #s as they seem optimistic. same with ASM skimmers. if there's a club forum for a particular line of skimmers, you'll get better #s there.

you asked about how to T off and not worry about flooding, here's an example. Ball valve controls flow to the skimmer, while any excess goes directly back into the sump through the opposite direction of the T. this diagram created by my aquarium technician who maintains my tank sets up all his clients this way as it reduces surging to the skimmer to a minimum. surging cause uneven water level inside the skimmer.

<a href="http://usera.imagecave.com/winner/GravityFeedPlumbing.jpg"><img src="http://usera.imagecave.com/winner/icth_GravityFeedPlumbing.jpg.jpg"></a>

 

[scubaduderon]

Thank you for your drawing!

Thank you for your drawing!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7028824#post7028824 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by UCanDoIt
i personally wouldn't trust Pacific's #s as they seem optimistic. same with ASM skimmers. if there's a club forum for a particular line of skimmers, you'll get better #s there.

you asked about how to T off and not worry about flooding, here's an example. Ball valve controls flow to the skimmer, while any excess goes directly back into the sump through the opposite direction of the T. this diagram created by my aquarium technician who maintains my tank sets up all his clients this way as it reduces surging to the skimmer to a minimum. surging cause uneven water level inside the skimmer.

<a href="http://usera.imagecave.com/winner/GravityFeedPlumbing.jpg"><img src="http://usera.imagecave.com/winner/icth_GravityFeedPlumbing.jpg.jpg"></a>

Perfect. The water will back up and naturally divert itself to the no back pressure side. Thank you.

As far as the numbers go I understand your sentiments. Perhaps after a while people will get to know these units and better figures will come out. The unit I picked for my tank is rated at 4 times the capacity of my tank. Hopefully it will suffice.

You'll be seeing a thread by yours truely telling of my experiences with it.

Thanks again,

Ron

 

[UCanDoIt]

What really makes a skimmer is the needlewheel pump. My experience with the German pumps, AquaBee & Eheim, is they out perform any China made pumps made to date. There's just no comparison as the efficient German pumps can take a small cylinder skimmer and out perform even the larger USA cylinder skimmers. I have a AP600 and need to empty and clean the collection cup every 2-3 days on a 75g tank, then I really like to overskim and skim wet. I know that Deltecs are expensive, but IMO they are accurately rated.

 

[scubaduderon]

Yes, that makes sense

Yes, that makes sense

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7030624#post7030624 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by UCanDoIt
What really makes a skimmer is the needlewheel pump. My experience with the German pumps, AquaBee & Eheim, is they out perform any China made pumps made to date. There's just no comparison as the efficient German pumps can take a small cylinder skimmer and out perform even the larger USA cylinder skimmers. I have a AP600 and need to empty and clean the collection cup every 2-3 days on a 75g tank, then I really like to overskim and skim wet. I know that Deltecs are expensive, but IMO they are accurately rated.

If you have a better pump, bubble size may be smaller and bubble quantity may be greater, thereby producing more skimmate. I hope the size difference in the skimmer I'm getting makes up for these factors to some degree. I'll post my results.

Thank you for helping me learn,

Ron

 

[Fliger]

I agree. Obviously I have an affinity for expensive skimmers - but I have to say I was pretty impressed when I saw one of those Pacific Coast externals - at least for $299. IMO it would be a great skimmer for a tank up to say 75G or so. Decent bubble size, not a lot of air intake - but the fact thats its a recirculating skimmer and parts seemed to be decent quality - I thought it was a real good bargain. Feed it from your overflow and you'll have a decent skimmer.

 

[UCanDoIt]

i would agree with Fliger on the PC2000 recir, it probably should perform very well for 75g range. the photo looks great, almost like a H&S.

 

[scubaduderon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7031765#post7031765 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by UCanDoIt
i would agree with Fliger on the PC2000 recir, it probably should perform very well for 75g range. the photo looks great, almost like a H&S.

So then for a system with 47 gallons total it will work really great?

Ron

 

[UCanDoIt]

If the unit has a decent pump, should perform for any size tank from 30-90g range.

 

[kentrob11]

I agree that most of those skimmers are way over-rated! I also agree with the fact that somehow the Germans have managed to beat the tar out of every other needlewheel pump maker out there. I think that sometime soon we're going to start seeing american spec Eheims surfacing with needlewheels that pull Deltec/H@S numbers though. I've already got one one it's way to an engineer for reverse engineering- I don't believe that buying a $300+ H@S Eheim is the absolute final answer for this big equation.