FishTruck
Premium Member
My dart gold pump is making a racket and throwing little black metal shavings out. The reeflo orca 250 skimmer has served me well on this pump (second pump) for six years now.... but I am wondering if there is anything really new in skimmer technology to make me upgrade versus just replacing the pump again. My wants...
1. Keeping neck clean. I would be interested in a wet neck or automated neck cleaning system like one that would come with this guy: Diablo DCRS 300ext Recirculating Protein Skimmer.
2. Keeping venturi unglogged. Along that theme of laziness... one that is EASY to clean the venturi air intake also would be nice (the reeflo has a goofey right angle inside that is a little hard to keep clean).
3. Start up issues. Also... I like the slow ramp up speed of the Diablo DC motor (the idea anyway). Does that mean it won't overflow when I turn it back on... like my Orca always does?
I'd spend 1200 bucks for a skimmer that is easier to maintain and performs at least as well as my old reeflo orca. Probably not interested in a 2 thousand dollar skimmer. If they all require neck cleaning every week, jammed up venturis that require five different pipe cleaners, and they all flood when started back up... I ll just stick with my Orca.
FYI
I have a 300 gallon lightly / moderately stocked SPS system with a 200 gallon sump system (500 gallons total). My skimmer is down... so something that will ship within a few weeks would be best.
1. Keeping neck clean. I would be interested in a wet neck or automated neck cleaning system like one that would come with this guy: Diablo DCRS 300ext Recirculating Protein Skimmer.
2. Keeping venturi unglogged. Along that theme of laziness... one that is EASY to clean the venturi air intake also would be nice (the reeflo has a goofey right angle inside that is a little hard to keep clean).
3. Start up issues. Also... I like the slow ramp up speed of the Diablo DC motor (the idea anyway). Does that mean it won't overflow when I turn it back on... like my Orca always does?
I'd spend 1200 bucks for a skimmer that is easier to maintain and performs at least as well as my old reeflo orca. Probably not interested in a 2 thousand dollar skimmer. If they all require neck cleaning every week, jammed up venturis that require five different pipe cleaners, and they all flood when started back up... I ll just stick with my Orca.
FYI
I have a 300 gallon lightly / moderately stocked SPS system with a 200 gallon sump system (500 gallons total). My skimmer is down... so something that will ship within a few weeks would be best.
