Vertex IN80 Protien Skimmer Replacement Pump

[Paulb18c5]

I have a Vertex IN80 protein skimmer that has been great for my tank and produces great skim mate. I know it is a old skimmer but I would like to get a replacement pump that would be quieter and maybe a upgrade, I would keep the current one as a backup. I am thinking on either a Reef Octopus Aquatrance 1000s or 2000s pump as they will not break the bank. The 1000s matches the current pump for air draw at 420lph and the 2000s air draw is 720lph. Would the Aquatrance 2000s be too powerful for the skimmer body? With the stock pump I currently run the skimmer valve approx 3/4 of the way closed and the skimmer is in 8 inches of water.

Your advice is greatly appreciated and thank you in advance!

 

[reeftivo]

check with aquarium source to see if they have some of the replacement sicces available.

much better pump to use for the IN80. They may still have some overstock left on the last batch of modded sicces Jeff sold off with the reef dynamics skimmers (INS series).

the old vertex should have sched 80 pvc so the sicce conversion kit should work

 

[Paulb18c5]

Aquarium source has the sicce pumps for $185... At that price should I not just get a whole new skimmer? It should not be that hard to make a different pump fit. There is a vertex skimmer thread on here and a lot of people changed their pumps on the larger IN skimmers. Anyone changed their pump before on the smaller IN80?

 

[LQT]

That replacement pump on Aquarium source looks pretty close specwise to a Sicce sk400 needlewheel pump. The Sk400 claims and air draw of 400 lph whereas the Aquarium source INS80 replacement pump claims 420 lph of air draw.

Seaside Aqautics sells the SK400 for $90 and the venturi connection for the pump for $15.

https://seasideaquatics.com/parts/sicce-sk400-skimmer-pump-w-needle-wheel-p-10.html

https://seasideaquatics.com/parts/sea-side-aquatics-skimmer-venturi-for-sicce-pump-p-53.html