swc psk 2500 question

saltybastard · 09/04/2014, 01:24 AM

This swc 200 skimmer pump seems to work on and off for the last year or so. I'm a bit hesitant to get a new skimmer or pump as quite frankly, I'm almost considering packing it in and moving away from the hobby. That being said, i want to keep the protein skimmer running as long as I'm still in the game.

Anyways, heres the issue. The pump always seems to be working but not making any bubbles unless I stick something inside of it from the part that connects into the skimmer and give it a knock. This will work for a few days and then it will stop again. The whole time though, the pump seems to be doing something.

Other times, the pump will circulate water but not actually produce bubbles.

I opened it up today for the first time and noticed that the wheel had a bunch of mesh type material on it that seems to be coming apart. I turned the pump on without the cover and it worked right away. I put the cover on and it stopped. I had to use the knock technique again to get it going. No bubbles were being made.

What do you guys think is the problem here? I'm assuming that it is the mesh stuff as it is pretty much all gone. If you guys agree, should I get the red devil needle wheel?

A sea K · 09/04/2014, 09:22 AM

You could just re-mesh the pump if you can find any mesh around, mesh wheels require periodic replacement as they eventually tear apart. The red devil works pretty good but not as well as mesh IMO and does not always solve start-up issues especially if dealing with an older pump.
I finally replaced my psk2500 entirely as I got tired of re-meshing and having constant start-up issues. I used the newer psk 1000 as it was a direct replacement. Not quite as powerful but it is quieter and far more reliable.

bravanc · 09/04/2014, 02:09 PM

i would replace it with a bubble blaster 3000 or 5000. energy efficient, quiet and produces alot of bubbles. I replaced my psk2500 with one BB5000 on my Octopus 300 works better than ever

saltybastard · 09/04/2014, 04:23 PM

I don't want to spend 200 bucks on a pump at the moment, especially since I'm considering leaving the hobby. What type of mesh is needed? Any generic plastic wool kind of material?

bravanc · 09/04/2014, 07:24 PM

Google enkamat. This is the material most use. You tie wrap it on to your pin wheel of your skimmer pump

moondoggy4 · 09/04/2014, 08:25 PM

Do a search, loads of threads on how to do it.

saltybastard · 09/04/2014, 11:35 PM

Ok cool.

Thanks

A sea K · 09/05/2014, 12:04 PM

Salty, I sent you a PM with pump info. As soon as it stops raining (flood!) here I'll get out to my shed and see if I have any enkamat left.

discocarp · 09/05/2014, 12:41 PM

They also make needle wheel impellers for that pump (its a Sicce right?). I don't run the sicce pumps any more, but when I did I switched them to needle wheels impellers. I had problems with the pumps stopping with the mesh too, and rather than remesh I opted to just get a needlewheel:

http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx_...WPSBRP-vi.html

09/04/2014, 01:24 AM	#1
saltybastard Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 179	swc psk 2500 question This swc 200 skimmer pump seems to work on and off for the last year or so. I'm a bit hesitant to get a new skimmer or pump as quite frankly, I'm almost considering packing it in and moving away from the hobby. That being said, i want to keep the protein skimmer running as long as I'm still in the game. Anyways, heres the issue. The pump always seems to be working but not making any bubbles unless I stick something inside of it from the part that connects into the skimmer and give it a knock. This will work for a few days and then it will stop again. The whole time though, the pump seems to be doing something. Other times, the pump will circulate water but not actually produce bubbles. I opened it up today for the first time and noticed that the wheel had a bunch of mesh type material on it that seems to be coming apart. I turned the pump on without the cover and it worked right away. I put the cover on and it stopped. I had to use the knock technique again to get it going. No bubbles were being made. What do you guys think is the problem here? I'm assuming that it is the mesh stuff as it is pretty much all gone. If you guys agree, should I get the red devil needle wheel? Last edited by saltybastard; 09/04/2014 at 01:54 AM.

09/04/2014, 09:22 AM	#2
A sea K Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Branford Fl Posts: 3,024	You could just re-mesh the pump if you can find any mesh around, mesh wheels require periodic replacement as they eventually tear apart. The red devil works pretty good but not as well as mesh IMO and does not always solve start-up issues especially if dealing with an older pump. I finally replaced my psk2500 entirely as I got tired of re-meshing and having constant start-up issues. I used the newer psk 1000 as it was a direct replacement. Not quite as powerful but it is quieter and far more reliable. __________________ I am not a pro so excuse me if I'm wrong. Current Tank Info: 30gal Deep Blue rimless 9/10/2014, 80gal Deep Blue rimless 40gal sump/refugium 9/11/16 LPS reef, 2 x Kessil A160 with a single Maxspect Razor, RO Prime 150INT skimmer, Sicce 3 return pump, Vortech MP40 and MP10

09/05/2014, 12:04 PM	#8
A sea K Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Branford Fl Posts: 3,024	Salty, I sent you a PM with pump info. As soon as it stops raining (flood!) here I'll get out to my shed and see if I have any enkamat left. __________________ I am not a pro so excuse me if I'm wrong. Current Tank Info: 30gal Deep Blue rimless 9/10/2014, 80gal Deep Blue rimless 40gal sump/refugium 9/11/16 LPS reef, 2 x Kessil A160 with a single Maxspect Razor, RO Prime 150INT skimmer, Sicce 3 return pump, Vortech MP40 and MP10

09/04/2014, 02:09 PM	#3
bravanc Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 210 Blog Entries: 1	i would replace it with a bubble blaster 3000 or 5000. energy efficient, quiet and produces alot of bubbles. I replaced my psk2500 with one BB5000 on my Octopus 300 works better than ever

09/04/2014, 04:23 PM	#4
saltybastard Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 179	I don't want to spend 200 bucks on a pump at the moment, especially since I'm considering leaving the hobby. What type of mesh is needed? Any generic plastic wool kind of material?

09/04/2014, 07:24 PM	#5
bravanc Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 210 Blog Entries: 1	Google enkamat. This is the material most use. You tie wrap it on to your pin wheel of your skimmer pump

09/04/2014, 08:25 PM	#6
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Do a search, loads of threads on how to do it.

09/04/2014, 11:35 PM	#7
saltybastard Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 179	Ok cool. Thanks

09/05/2014, 12:41 PM	#9
discocarp Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 2,707	They also make needle wheel impellers for that pump (its a Sicce right?). I don't run the sicce pumps any more, but when I did I switched them to needle wheels impellers. I had problems with the pumps stopping with the mesh too, and rather than remesh I opted to just get a needlewheel: http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx_...WPSBRP-vi.html