How often do you change out skimmer pump?

[kissman]

My skimmer has been up and running for 5 years and never had a problem with pump or needle wheel. I do soak them in vinegar about once a year. I have no idea or I can't remember if it ran any better when I bought the skimmer new to how it runs now. Is there a suggested replacement time frame on the skimmer pump and or needle wheel.
Thanks

 

[steallife904]

I would say when it breaks. I have only changed the pump on my skimmer 1 time and the reason was after 8 years it stopped working. I replaced it with a DC pump which has been cool since I can adjust the flow in the skimmer.... and its dead quite

 

[allicassydanny]

I replace my impeller every 2 years, the coating wears off the magnet. Pump has been running for 7 years.

 

[mcgyvr]

Ride it till it dies...

 

[jda]

I would also keep it until it dies.

That being said, I would find a replacement unless it is one of the super common ones. ...at least an impeller. Sometimes the pumps get to where you cannot find them anymore and you have to buy a whole new skimmer or retrofit something. I have a sicce PSK on the shelf since RO stopped using them years ago and I really like the skimmer.

 

[Misled]

Ride it till it dies...

yup

 

[vitodog]

Ride it till it dies...

Yep. However, I would make sure I have a backup pump ready to go.

 

[mcgyvr]

Yep. However, I would make sure I have a backup pump ready to go.

For a return pump yes.. But one can easily go without a skimmer until a replacement comes in..

 

[vitodog]

For a return pump yes.. But one can easily go without a skimmer until a replacement comes in..

True, but if you like this particular skimmer, it would not hurt to already have a replacement pump on hand especially if you have had this skimmer for some years. Nothing wrong with a little redundancy (IMHO).

 

[jda]

If you really like a skimmer, I HIGHLY recommend having a spare. There are many times that a manufacturer replaces a pump with a lower performing pump due to availability or just cost. I have an early RO skimmer with a Sicce PSK pump that is an absolutely skimming monster, but the same newer models with the newer pumps don't skim as well. ...so I bought a PSK to put on the shelf. Maybe if you have a Lifereef with a mag pump, then why bother since they are readily available.

Anybody with a Royal Exclusiv pump should probably have some parts on hand since they are a few months (at least) from Europe, if you can get parts at all. Impeller might be a good idea.

 

[Breadman03]

Anybody with a Royal Exclusiv pump should probably have some parts on hand since they are a few months (at least) from Europe, if you can get parts at all. Impeller might be a good idea.

Their US facility has greatly alleviated that issue, though it's still a valid concern.

 

[jda]

^ Good news. I had not heard that US was a option again. My bad.

 

[dendrite]

I soak the impeller and clean the venturi in vinegar every six months. The venturi clogs with calcium build up and the air intake and performance drops noticeably. A good vinegar bath and dental pic cures this .

 

[taguluchi]

I soak the impeller and clean the venturi in vinegar every six months. The venturi clogs with calcium build up and the air intake and performance drops noticeably. A good vinegar bath and dental pic cures this .

The Venturi literally did that to mine yesterday cleaned it up back to running like new


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