Volcano club

[Energy]

Wow, I haven't visited this thread in awhile. What a turn around! My skimmer is working better than ever and going on two years. It has had NO PROBLEMS what so ever. It was also very easy to adjust and set-up. Sorry to all those folks that have seemed to expect a "miracle in a box" and not recieved it.

Sounds like just a few people have had issues with their actual units but more have had problems with contacting Spazz.

I see alot of saber rattling and lenghty posts from a few people. No offense to those but my initial thoughts are maybe you should go out and do something constructive instead of bash a man whose equipment you don't even own. To those that do have problems I sympathize. I hope spazz gets you taken care of. I have gotten to know him personally after buying my skimmer from him. He is still a top notch guy in my book and I would still buy another skimmer and anything else he makes. His quality is better than any I have seen still to this day but he is very busy and even I have to wait (like forever) for stuff.

In the end it's always worth it.

As a business man I realize customer service is key and I hope Scott grows to realize this as well. I have also learned that no matter what you do some customers will not be happy, can not be made happy and were probably born that way. It's best to give them there money back and get them out of your life and let them go elsewhere and make others miserable.

And from some of the contributors to this thread it seems they would like to bash, convict and hang a man even though they don't own his equipment.

To make it clear my skimmer is power fed. Maybe besides the excellent quality the key component to Volcano skimmers is the fact that they can be force fed to improve their efficiency. I think he needs to force feed all of them. I know he has an incredible new venturi design that I personally seen. I happened to be working in the area and stopped by his shop one day and stopped by. He showed me the new design. It's completely adjustable dependent on your aquarium conditions. Now if I just could get his new phosphate reactor with the medical grade valve! I have been after that for quite awhile.

I wouldn't trade my Volcano for any brand out there and I have owned and used many of the others. Sorry to those with the bad experiences. Mine has been great. That skimmer has saved my tank more than once. I have about 100 incredibly fat fish in a sps jammed tanked. My sps colors have never been better and I contribute that directly to the skimmer. Good luck to the others. I have no regrets and would never go back!

 

[Haxer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12940858#post12940858 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JRaquatics
Do you mean like this Jon? This is an old shot of the skimmer and modifications have been made to the design already. But as you can see this will have two dart and will be pulling 100+ scfh each and hold about 100gallons. I don't think there will be any problem with too much air with this one.

JRaquatics,
I am currently ordering a 300gal marineland tank, i was looking at the reeflo250 pro kit or the cnc version octo pro 400, however the above skimmer sounds more like what i have been looking for. Any e.t.a on avalibilty of this skimmer ...???:mixed:

 

[JRaquatics]

Last I hear the design was being revamped. I believe this skimmer is for tanks 800+ gallons. The Reeflo 250 Pro will be more than enough for 300+ gallon tank.

 

[Haxer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13312867#post13312867 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
The MRC? It looks DEAD SIMILAR in design, not as big of a main pipe, but I doubt that matters much. The water inlet is at the base though, but the you could compare the two in many ways. I will say that Im sure the Volcano, with its air welds, is more durable... but hey... at least with MRC you know you can easily get a hold of someone. I dont want to get sidetracked too much though.

Other 'related' notes: I doubt this thing would perform well without an alita forcing air into it. Also, its still a dart mixing pump. From all the makers I talked with that have tried the dart... they hate it. Too much water, too little air, etc. Dave at CoralVue said he was much happier with the Lagunas, and plans to continue with using more motors than just the 1500 in his future Octopus 'PRO' series which uses them. A 2000-2900 based Octo (for 3000-4000lph), and maybe even a 4200 based motor (thats the 6000lph one) would be the ticket here.

I suppose I am getting on sort of a tangent here, but it was very clear from this weekend at MACNA that things are changing very fast in this market. I have no doubt that CoralVue will end up dominating the US market in the long run. Many other makes like Euroreef are having some of their line made by Honya in China as well, but when I talked with Dave, he seemed very interested in NOT just going with the cheapest pumps around, or 'what was available'. Dave's development of the Laguna 1500 really proves that. Beckett skimmers? Besides the MRC and PM showings... almost not even there. It seems like there was more buzz around MRC's dart driven skimmer and their sweet looking sumps, and PM's focus was on their reactors as well as new needlewheels more than anything. The one they had there had a nice new rubber/plast needlwheel and the quality was top-notch. Euroreef has fallen on some very hard times now I hear, and other companies that were 'staples' are now not so much. The new skimmers by RK2 for instance... were just abandoned looking, as well as the ASM's. Warner Marine is another company that I was very impressed with and made a great showing at MACNA. Jon Warner was very nice to meet, honest, and of all the skimmers at MACNA, his were the ones working the best in the end.... actually collecting skimmate and having a nice foam head rather than just set on constant overflow. Companies like H&S and Deltec werent generating the interest they used to. Rumor has it, Deltec might be working on something new on this front as well...

Hahn,
Any word on when the new bigger octo pro's will be coming out ???

P.S please see my above post and advise your suggestions... thanks...

 

[Haxer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13337334#post13337334 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JRaquatics
Last I hear the design was being revamped. I believe this skimmer is for tanks 800+ gallons. The Reeflo 250 Pro will be more than enough for 300+ gallon tank.

Thanks JRaquatics,

I guess my main decesion now is internal vs external & "tall" vs "fat" skimmers. I see how the BK's are fat while the pro250 orca is tall. I am building my stand at 42" so height is not a concern ... Is their an advantage one way or another ...???

 

[JCTewks]

Come on Haxer...you know you want to drop the $$$ on an ATB

Seriously though...a skimmer getting 200scfh is Overkill on a 300 g tank (unless you are running another 600g in sumps and frag tanks), You'd be fine with a single dart driven skimmer.

 

[JRaquatics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13337402#post13337402 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Haxer
Thanks JRaquatics,

I guess my main decesion now is internal vs external & "tall" vs "fat" skimmers. I see how the BK's are fat while the pro250 orca is tall. I am building my stand at 42" so height is not a concern ... Is their an advantage one way or another ...???

Didn't want to clutter the Volcano thread with non-volcano talk.
PM sent.

 

[Mr James]

Haxer, am I mistaken or are your questions about skimmers other than Volcanos?? If so, don't you think you ought to post elsewhere so as not to confuse or sidetrack the conversation?? JR, ...edited my response as we were typing at the same time. Thanks for taking Haxer to a PM instead of continuing here.

Energy. Thank you for stepping up to the plate. We need more people with solutions rather than legal mumbo-jumbo. I of course have no ground to stand on according to a non-member of the Volcano club, as my skimmer according to him isn't a "real" Volcano skimmer. Do you have any suggestions for Tom perhaps as to how to fix his non-producing skimmer?? I, for one, am still interested in reading about mods and fixes to improve my product.

I too would buy his product again... Anyone want to trade?? After all, mine isn't really a Volcano skimmer and may do well by your system!!

Not trying to be rude, just want to stay on topic and always move forward.

Out of curiosity folks, do you think Bill Wann would be able to chime in and suggest a fix or a solution??

 

[JCTewks]

Bill could prob offer some insight...but He was booted about a year ago

 

[Mr James]

by JCTewks
Bill could prob offer some insight...but He was booted about a year ago

Yes, I remember that unfortunately. I followed his posts on another forum and even had the privelage to talk to him on the phone about skimmers. He had some very good insight. (I would love to see what he is up to these days) Just thought maybe he knows a few things about big skimmers that may be helpful at this point if Scott is unavailable.

 

[JCTewks]

You don't necessarily have to know enough about "big" skimmers...they are a different beast, but not that different. The problem that I see with the volcano is that they are just too tall to try and get a decent amount of air into them using an aspirating venturi...the dart just can't draw that much air on it's own at the depth it is at (at least not with the NW that is currently on it). The one "surefire" way to get them to work well is to force feed them (as others have mentioned). I also agree with michael (mavgi) that a layer or 2 of mesh could be added to the existing NW to help the pump have smaller bubble, and be able to process more air.

It doesn't sound like Tom is wanting "more fixes" though (He posted in the BK skimmer club looking for recomendations on which BK for his system).

 

[yeniraki]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13336457#post13336457 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Energy
Wow, I haven't visited this thread in awhile. What a turn around! My skimmer is working better than ever and going on two years. It has had NO PROBLEMS what so ever. It was also very easy to adjust and set-up. Sorry to all those folks that have seemed to expect a "miracle in a box" and not recieved it.

Sounds like just a few people have had issues with their actual units but more have had problems with contacting Spazz.

I see alot of saber rattling and lenghty posts from a few people. No offense to those but my initial thoughts are maybe you should go out and do something constructive instead of bash a man whose equipment you don't even own. To those that do have problems I sympathize. I hope spazz gets you taken care of. I have gotten to know him personally after buying my skimmer from him. He is still a top notch guy in my book and I would still buy another skimmer and anything else he makes. His quality is better than any I have seen still to this day but he is very busy and even I have to wait (like forever) for stuff.

In the end it's always worth it.

As a business man I realize customer service is key and I hope Scott grows to realize this as well. I have also learned that no matter what you do some customers will not be happy, can not be made happy and were probably born that way. It's best to give them there money back and get them out of your life and let them go elsewhere and make others miserable.

And from some of the contributors to this thread it seems they would like to bash, convict and hang a man even though they don't own his equipment.

To make it clear my skimmer is power fed. Maybe besides the excellent quality the key component to Volcano skimmers is the fact that they can be force fed to improve their efficiency. I think he needs to force feed all of them. I know he has an incredible new venturi design that I personally seen. I happened to be working in the area and stopped by his shop one day and stopped by. He showed me the new design. It's completely adjustable dependent on your aquarium conditions. Now if I just could get his new phosphate reactor with the medical grade valve! I have been after that for quite awhile.

I wouldn't trade my Volcano for any brand out there and I have owned and used many of the others. Sorry to those with the bad experiences. Mine has been great. That skimmer has saved my tank more than once. I have about 100 incredibly fat fish in a sps jammed tanked. My sps colors have never been better and I contribute that directly to the skimmer. Good luck to the others. I have no regrets and would never go back!

Energy,

Well said!!!!!

This thread just turned out to be a dirty game being played against Spazz by someone who can not control his envy and a few customer who essentially can not be made happy. If you would go back and read Wizmasters posts regarding schuran, orca, products other than volcano you would end up with your description about the customer that practically can not be satisfied.
I do not own a volcano skimmer and I do not have any relationship with Spazz but as a fanatic member of RC I have been following his posts ever since. I both enjoyed and gained alot from his contributions. It is beyond my understanding to attack such a member in such manner.

 

[yeniraki]

As I am living far from US I could not purchase and shipped a Volcano skimmer, I tried to make one for myself instead. I modified my DIY mazzei skimmer taking Volcano skimmers as a model.

I used another pump with 8 layers of enkamat, as Dart pumps do not come with 220V 50 hz.The result was fabulous regarding skimmer performance, but,

Cast acrylic tube,
Height: 6',
Body: 12'' ,
Pump needs 700 watts to run,
If I did not have an angel as a wife, would definitely need a new one,
Plenty of time and mess
Still lacking the gadgets and accesorries that volcano's come with

Long story short, to run a skimmer with volcano's dimensions with less than 200watts (total watts with alita 40) is what I call serious engineering.

I definitely would ask Tom to sell me his skimmer considering the fact of the waiting period to own a Volcano, if I would live in US.

 

[tom obrecht]

This thread just turned out to be a dirty game being played against Spazz by someone who can not control his envy and a few customer who essentially can not be made happy. If you would go back and read Wizmasters posts regarding schuran, orca, products other than volcano you would end up with your description about the customer that practically can not be satisfied.

Let me say this. This thread was started by myself. I was very excited to get this unit and wanted to show everyone that the Volcano was the way to go. I was helping Spazz with free advertising in a sense. The workmanship and quality of his stuff is top notch. I have no complaints there. I'm not even that upset that the unit may have had a wrong part installed for things like this happen. The issue I have had is lack of communication and support.

For those of you that feel I am a "customer that just can't be satisfied" your 100% incorrect! I would gladly accept any ideas that Spazz had to correct the problem. In fact Spazz did mention that he would do "whatever it took to solve the problem and make me satisfied". How can one fault that? The problem is that HE has not followed through with that promise. Spazz has not responded to me in over TWO MONTHS after numerous emails and phone messages. For those of you who feel I am being unreasonable what do you suggest I do? My system has taken a total turn for the worse since installing this skimmer. I am loosing livestock even though I continue to do water changes ect to maintain things. I added an air pump as some suggested to see what improvements could be had. Perhaps better but not great. Is not the purpose of being a responsible aquarist for giving our inhabitants the best possible chance. That's why I am being stubborn about getting this resolved!

I am the type of person that will give credit to those that deserve it. However I also feel it is my responsibility to warn others if a situation is not worthy of entering into.

This thread was not meant to turn into a "witch hunt". If it appears that way I apologize. All I'm wanting is some help from the owner of the company that sold me a product that was described to me as being superior to what I had.

I know there are those of you who are 100% satisfied with your product. That is the reason I purchased a Volcano. In fact I personally contacted some of you before I bought. I'm not doubting your results. All I want is results like you have, plain and simple.

 

[saleencobra]

You guys need to lay off Tom. I don't think he has done anything that wrong. Like he said he started this thread out of excitement and as far as I see it is not bashing Spazz but rather speaking the truth. He is not alone. My 4000$ skimmers performance is equal to the asm g-6 that it replaced. The only way to get any skimmate is to run it high in the neck so it makes very wet stuff. The skimmate doesn't even smell bad so I feel like I am just removing sw from my tank(but I wouldn't drink it).I did get a pm from spazz saying he would help me but I cant get a hold of him. If any of you spazz supporters would like to support him by purchasing his product I will make you a deal on mine.

 

[kajung2k]

IMO -- customer service is key. Its sooo hard to get someone to say something good about a product or service, but. But its so easy to get someone to say something bad about a product or service.

IMO the reason why people go with a small business is to get "personalized service" .. The thought process is rather simple. Small business normally need refferals to survive, to gain traction, and to be successful. Thus...they would normally "go out of their way" to be fair, and a lot of times more than fair.

We live in the digital age, and to reply to a customer is so simple. People skills are not needed. In fact I don't even see Spazz setting the record straight or trying to.

I can't imagine how many potential customers he has just lost b/c his downright refusal not to answer this thread, phone calls, or personal email.

Again... Small Businesses need good referrals to succeed...

 

[Nanook]

Since this has pretty much turned into a Vendor Experience I am moving it here.

 

[Mr James]

Well, that takes care of that. Probably a good move Nanook. Thanks for moving this to the correct place. I'm heading back to the Equipment Forum to talk about solutions.

yeniraki, would you please post your skimmer pics in the Filtration Forum so we can pick up on this conversation where we left off??

Anyone else that wants to post on Volcano skimmers, I would love to continue to listen and learn about this product.

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13339528#post13339528 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saleencobra
If any of you spazz supporters would like to support him by purchasing his product I will make you a deal on mine.

I second that! In fact pm me if you have an interest.

 

[JRaquatics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13339884#post13339884 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tom obrecht
I second that! In fact pm me if you have an interest.

Nanook, you may have to move the thread again to the for sale forums as it may turn into a mass Volcano selling thread.:lol:

It might be a great chance for someone with the cash and a good understanding in DIY skimmer work to pic up one of these used volcanos and get them to pull some air. Honestly I think it really has to do with the venturi and Pin wheel. The Venturis really need to be as close to the pumps volute to create the maximum vacuum. These are well built bodies and everything looks to be well fabricated, it just looks to be needing a little more R&D.