Skimz SN143...Any thoughts?

[prtrini]

Does anyone have experience with the Skimz SN143 Monzter Mini Protein Skimmer? I am setting up my 90g and will be using a skimmer for the first time. Is the price ($170 on BRS) any indication to stay clear from this skimmer? Any thoughts are appreciated

 

[davidfrances]

I would advise you to completely avoid the Skimz products. I own several of their SM251 skimmers, and the impellers fail after a few months. Their customer service is nonexistent. I also have had three (3)of the pumps leak electrical current into the tank, and have received severe shocks.

Here are some photos of several failed impellers. Replacements are $100 a pop:

The one above failed catastrophically.

What happens, over a few months, is the plastic covering the impeller magnet cracks. This may be due to the metal coating on the magnet beginning to corrode. In any event, the impeller will seize up and the pump will stop.

Caveat emptor.

 

[firemedix911]

Damn. Such a pitty. Seem pretty well built.

 

[BTimmons85]

I got my SN143 a couple days ago. This is what it's doing right now:

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I got mine from Bulk Reef Supply. I've had good luck with their customer service in the past. I saw a post somewhere saying that Skimz had a problem with their impellers at one point. Hopefully they got it sorted out. I see plenty of people who are satisfied with their skimmers. If this little beast holds up I will be quite satisfied, considering I was about to drop $400 for a SRO. This thing was ~$150; it's pulling darker skimmate in 2 days than the C-Skim 1800 ever did in 2 years!