Reeflo Orca 250

klasiksb

klasiksb

Active member
How do I get my Reeflo Orca 250 to draw the advertised 2500+LPH of air. Right now, it is only drawing about 60 SCFH or 1680 LPH.
 
It seems to be working fine, only been running it a little less than week, but was suprised to only see the 60 SCFH on my Dwyer RMA-8 air flow meter. The RMA-8 has a range of 10-100 SCFH.
 
Here is some more information that might be helpful.

The position of the venturi has an affect on the amount of air intake going into the skimmer. It seems to work best at the 10pm position. It is also important that you check the air valve as we have seem when salt creep starts to build in the watts on the pumps jump up and the air intake decreases.

Hope that helps. They did mention the air intake was originally done when the model first came out, but was a different brand that measures LPH specifically, so might have some variance.
 
Would that be the 10 o'clock position looking at the pump from the front?

"They did mention the air intake was originally done when the model first came out, but was a different brand that measures LPH specifically, so might have some variance."

Not sure what you mean here? What does 'Model' and 'Brand' refer to?
 
Yes that would be 10 o'clock when you are looking at the pump. I think Jason was just trying to say the instrument they used (to measure air intake) might have been different then yours. Plus there could have been a few changed to the skimmer that might cause a few difference in readings. I do know that they are really good skimmers. If you need anything else just let us know. Have a great day.

Michelle
 
Shlbear, yes the skimmer is working very well, but it would be great to know how they got there readings and why they are advertising it at 2500+lph air when it obviously can't pull that amount of air.

lph is lph and SCFH is SCFH, shouldn't change from measuring device (well, I suppose slightly) but 60 SCFH to 95 SCFH is a BIG difference.

I bought this skimmer being led to believe it will pull 2500+lph of air, and I feel a bit decieved. I am still happy with this skimmer, it is working very well. But could it be working even better with the advertised air draw? I might not ever know. And, if the tank ratings were based off that air draw, do the ratings now drop by about 30% because of the less air draw?

I've been trying to get answers but it seems no one knows where or how those numbers were acheived. I don't know if you guys can search around as well, you may have better luck than me. I think it would only be fair to the customer looking at these skimmers to have a better idea of what there actually getting and not some mystery number pulled from mystery land. :)

Would definately appreciate any help you can provide in finding out some answers.
 
Hi,

Jeremy (use to work here) actually pulled an air draw off the prototype we had few months ago and reported the 2500 reading. Next time he stops by the shop, we'll ask what equipment he used and anything else to try.
 
I also am only getting 60 SCFH and have had the skimmer for over 2 months. I have a dwyer 10-100 meter and am disappointed at the difference between advertised and actual. It works well but how much better would it work with the 95. There must be an explanation.
 
SOrry not yet, haven't seen Jeremy in a while. He usually stops by every couple of weeks, so hopefully will see him this week.
 
I found this in an old thread posted by Jeremy.

I finally was able to get an air reading on mine. At 120watts the pump is pulling right at 33lpm, which equates to 1980lph.

For comparison:

Reeflo ORCA 250 - 1980lph / $1299 ($1499 after intro price)
Deltec AP902 - 1600lph / $1869
Deltec AP1003 - 2250lph / $3275
Bubble King 300 - 1999lph / $2699
Bubble King 400 - 2499lph / $3999
H&S - Couldn't find any stated numbers on these.
ER RC750 - 3000lph / $2000
ER RC1000 - 3600lph / $2500

The EuroReef numbers are great, but to give comparison the Reeflo was set up on the exact same system as the RC1000, and basically shut this skimmer down over a period of about a month or so. I still feel like the valve on the venturi is restricting this guy by about 250lph, but I do not yet have a replacement valve as a backup so that I can start chopping on this thing. Having said that, in stock form this thing totally kicks butt, and unless you're one of those guys who wants to tinker and play, there is absolutely no modification needed at all!
 
Thanks, for bringing this up klasiksb. I think companies in this industry should be held accountable for there marketing. It seems it is almost standard practice to overrate skimmers. A 90 SCFH skimmer would certainly get alot more attention than 60. Most people will never know the difference. Thats one of the major reasons I bought mine. They are moving on to the Dart Gold pumps as standard I here. I think this pump will hit the target. It seems this skimmer was designed for 90 not 60 SCFH to me. My new Dart Gold should be in Tuesday. It was not a free upgrade. My current baldor commercial motor Reeflo sold me is also pulling only 60. It says right on it it spins at 1550. I called Reeflo because I noticed right away it did not have the air draw I was expecting and would require a different sized skimmer cup to work best and they insisted it spins at 1650 like the Dart Gold. If it did it would be pulling more.
 
Last edited:
I should give credit to Reeflo for changing to the Dart Gold. It is a powerhouse.. just wish they had gone that direction to begin with ....but I am sure it was a business decision... wouldnt be surprised if there is a price increase as the Dart Gold is a more expensive pump. There skimmer line is rock solid now. Good for them.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12420030#post12420030 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cweder
Thanks, for bringing this up klasiksb. I think companies in this industry should be held accountable for there marketing. It seems it is almost standard practice to overrate skimmers. A 90 SCFH skimmer would certainly get alot more attention than 60. Most people will never know the difference. Thats one of the major reasons I bought mine. They are moving on to the Dart Gold pumps as standard I here. I think this pump will hit the target. It seems this skimmer was designed for 90 not 60 SCFH to me. My new Dart Gold should be in Tuesday. It was not a free upgrade. My current baldor commercial motor Reeflo sold me is also pulling only 60. It says right on it it spins at 1550. I called Reeflo because I noticed right away it did not have the air draw I was expecting and would require a different sized skimmer cup to work best and they insisted it spins at 1650 like the Dart Gold. If it did it would be pulling more.
Click to expand...


After you get the Dart gold could you post the difference in air pull?

Thanks JB
 
Was'nt sure I was going to hook it up right away, but when I do I will measure it and post it. Plenty of others are using this new pump, maybe they could give us a reading.
 
Time to eat my words, both my baldor pumps say 1650 rpm and the new orca gold pulls exactly the same amount of air, 60 SCFH.

I guess we will still have to wonder where they got the 90-95 SCFH they advertise. I cleaned out the salt creep that gets caught up in the air inlet and I have mine at about 10 oclock.

Both excellent pumps, but thats barely 1800 LPH.
 
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