Reef Dynamics skimmer?

[lieberca]

Last piece of hardware I need for my new build is a skimmer. I've read so many posts my head is spinning, but the one that seems to have the most satisfaction and least complaints in my ~$200 price range is a Reef Dynamics INS. They're out of business, but you can still buy their leftover stock from Aquariumsource (replacement impellers, too).

Do you guys think it's advisable to buy an obsolete but good-performing RD skimmer over something current? (likely RO or Vertex) It's been a while since I used a skimmer, so don't know how critical warranty support is.

 

[smoothdog]

While there are a lot of newer designs, I'm not convinced that any of them are really that much better. These are tried and true, but I WOULD be concerned that the pumps and or impellers would dry up. They are tuned to the specific flow rates of those pumps and you might have a hard time getting replacements down the line, so if you go with it consider buying a backup pump or 3.

 

[smoothdog]

Hmm, just looked and it comes with the new sicce pump upgrade, so pumps may not be an issue.

 

[lieberca]

Thanks Dog. Are pump freezes common with needle-wheel skimmers, or broken impellers? Buying a spare pump makes this deal not so enticing!

 

[smoothdog]

ANY pump can fail. I have backups for both my skimmer and return pump for this reason. My tank has been running for 3yrs with no issue, knock on wood, but if something does happen I won't be running around trying to fast ship a pump so my system doesn't suffer.