Sedra 5000 on ER rs-80?

[phenom5]

I'm debating upgrading my skimmer (Euroreef rs-80) with a SWC 160 cone. But...I've been kicking around the idea of maximizing the performance of the ER too. I'm not really all that unhappy with the ER, I just feel like I could be getting more of my skimmer.

I was thinking about moving up to a Sedra 5000 from the stock 3500 that came with it. The skimmer has a 5" body, a 2.5" neck, and is 22" tall.

I'd also look at an Askoll, Sicce or Bubble Blaster...but the price may be an issue. At some point the cost of a new pump may not be a better option than just buying a new skimmer.


Thoughts? Worth it?

 

[aniceplace]

Nooooo! I went through the same dilemma and I can tell you that the Sedra 5000 is going to disappoint you as a skimmer motor. I tried one with a cone skimmer and it was silly compared to the performance of a Laguna motor. The venturi is the biggest difference. The venturi that is available for the Sedra 5000 doesn't draw enough air. The venturi on the Laguna (similar to the one on the Red Dragons) draws easily 2-3 times as much air as the Sedra's. The Laguna made my skimmer into a work horse; a night and day difference. As far as I'm concerned the most important part of a skimmer is the motor and the venturi not the body. Your ER will be a great skimmer with the right motor. Good Luck.

 

[moondoggy4]

I would say those pumps are to big for a RS80 skimmer. Maybe the smallest Bubble Blaster

 

[raynist]

I used one on the rs80 I had and it ran much better than the 3500.

That said, there are better pumps out there. WhT is your budget?

 

[phenom5]

Not really sure what my budget is. At some point I need to decide if it's worth it to put a pump on that's worth more than the skimmer itself.

I'm open to suggestions on pumps.

 

[aniceplace]

I believe the weak link in the case of the Sedra set ups is the venturi. If you could fabricate a venturi like the ones on the Askols, Lagunas, or Red Dragons you might not need to shell out the money for the higher priced motor blocks. The venturi on the Sedras has a small air-to-water movement interface (a whole drilled in side of venturi) which severly limits the amount of air drawn in. The better design has a cavity that completely surrounds the flow of the water through the intake thereby drawing substantially more air. You wouldn't need to fabricate the whole impeller housing, just re-design the inferior gray venturi. It was after I shelled out the money for the more expensive set-up that I realized the success of said units was due more to the venturi design than the motor. Good Luck.

 

[aniceplace]

Here is a pic of the better venturi design. If the manufacturers sell them separate it wouldn't be too difficult to modify it to fit the Sedra.

 

[raynist]

I would say those pumps are to big for a RS80 skimmer. Maybe the smallest Bubble Blaster

+1

The BB1000 or maybe the BB2000

 

[phenom5]

Thanks guys.

So what are your thoughts on switching out the pump for a BB1000?

I feel like my skimmer, as is, is right on the verge. Like I said, I'm not really unhappy, but it could be better, and I think improving the pump would give it the push it needs. That said, a BB1000 is right on the edge. A quick search, and I found one at premium for ~$150 out of pocket. That's probably more than the skimmer is worth, but around half of a new skimmer...

 

[raynist]

You might be better selling this skimmer and buying a new one.