Replacement Pump for Reef Octo Skimmer

super_steve85 · 03/31/2013, 11:54 AM

So, my sicce PSK2500 just died on my Reef Octopus protein skimmer and I need a replacement. I've had trouble with this pump off and on over the last few years (won't start up after cleaning) and wonder if a different model would work better?

Any different needle wheels you guys like besides the standard white one? I've heard of some people using the red one (Aquamaxx I think) that had good results.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

reeftivo · 03/31/2013, 12:08 PM

Sicce psk600
Marine depot

New syncra design w/o the start up issues

reefernutz · 03/31/2013, 12:25 PM

Look at the Sicce PSK1000. Those are being used on a number of skimmers.....they are being used to replace the PSK2500 pumps. No startup issues and great performance.

bravanc · 03/31/2013, 01:14 PM

I would go with the bubble blaster pump for your skimmer. Which model do you have, that would dictate which bubble blaster to get

super_steve85 · 04/01/2013, 07:48 AM

I've got the Reef Octopus Extreme 200. It looks like the Sicce PSK2500 (the stock pump) is rated at a 660 gph flow rate, along with the PSK600. The PSK1000 puts out 880 gph. Does anybody have experience adding a third more flow to their skimmers than what came out of the box?

I don't know what the air draw is on the PSK's, but just matching up water flow rates it looks like I would need the Bubble Blaster HY-10000S pump (600 gph)? This is close to 3x the $$$ of the PSK's. Is it that much better?

Thanks for your input.

super_steve85 · 04/02/2013, 07:44 AM

I emailed the Reef Octopus rep and his response was that the BB HY-3000 or the Sicce PSK1000 are the size I need for my skimmer, along with an adapter for both of them.

Is the Bubble Blaster really worth twice the money of the Sicce? The only thing I didn't like about the Sicce was the startup issues. If those are fixed....

sirreal63 · 04/02/2013, 09:16 AM

The psk1000 is a great little pump and is more appropriate for your 8" skimmer body. No startup issues with mine at all, in fact there have no issues of any kind with it other than it being too much for my G3. I would stick with it over the BB.

super_steve85 · 04/02/2013, 11:08 AM

That's the way I'm leaning. All the stuff I seen on it makes me think it will do the job just fine.

Thanks!

ganjero · 04/02/2013, 11:32 AM

I had that skimmer and when I upgraded to the the Bubble Blaster HY-3000 it was like getting a new skimmer, the performance improved incredibly.

I have no experience with the psk1000, but if Jack says it's good I would trust it too.

TruReef · 04/02/2013, 11:58 AM

upgrade to the bubble blaster, I did the same and never looked back. No issues with the blaster like the sicce had, and way better performance.

nikon187 · 04/02/2013, 01:16 PM

another one for the BB pump. My 5000 rocks my swc

bravanc · 04/02/2013, 05:34 PM

+1 on the BBHY5000 my reef octopus 300 cranks. Just like having a new skimmer. Thats why I suggested it earlier

saltwaterpicaso · 04/02/2013, 05:44 PM

another vote for the bubble blaster never had a problem and way better than anything else i have come across and its got a really good warranty

super_steve85 · 04/02/2013, 07:12 PM

Uh oh. Looks like overwhelming support for the Bubble Blaster. I was afraid of that.

Thanks for your help everyone!

sirreal63 · 04/02/2013, 07:15 PM

You won't go wrong with either one, there haven't been as many failures with the BB lately.

03/31/2013, 11:54 AM	#1
super_steve85 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Monroe, NC Posts: 132	Replacement Pump for Reef Octo Skimmer So, my sicce PSK2500 just died on my Reef Octopus protein skimmer and I need a replacement. I've had trouble with this pump off and on over the last few years (won't start up after cleaning) and wonder if a different model would work better? Any different needle wheels you guys like besides the standard white one? I've heard of some people using the red one (Aquamaxx I think) that had good results. Any suggestions? Thanks!

03/31/2013, 12:08 PM	#2
reeftivo Skim junkie Join Date: May 2008 Location: chino, CA Posts: 3,417	Sicce psk600 Marine depot New syncra design w/o the start up issues __________________ I told you not to be stupid you moron!(Stern) Current Tank Info: 60 gal cube/20g tideline sump-mixed reef, Aquamaxx c-tech Ca Rx, Akula 160 skimmer, paxbellum N18, mitras LX7 lighting with T-5s, apex controller

04/02/2013, 09:16 AM	#7
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	The psk1000 is a great little pump and is more appropriate for your 8" skimmer body. No startup issues with mine at all, in fact there have no issues of any kind with it other than it being too much for my G3. I would stick with it over the BB. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

04/02/2013, 11:32 AM	#9
ganjero saiperchémibatteilcorazon Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 4,027	I had that skimmer and when I upgraded to the the Bubble Blaster HY-3000 it was like getting a new skimmer, the performance improved incredibly. I have no experience with the psk1000, but if Jack says it's good I would trust it too. Last edited by ganjero; 04/02/2013 at 11:37 AM.

04/02/2013, 11:58 AM	#10
TruReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Fruit Cove, FL Posts: 617	upgrade to the bubble blaster, I did the same and never looked back. No issues with the blaster like the sicce had, and way better performance. __________________ The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners. Current Tank Info: AGA 180g mixed reef, 60" Sunpower 8 bulb, SRO-3000int

03/31/2013, 12:25 PM	#3
reefernutz Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 235	Look at the Sicce PSK1000. Those are being used on a number of skimmers.....they are being used to replace the PSK2500 pumps. No startup issues and great performance.

03/31/2013, 01:14 PM	#4
bravanc Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 210 Blog Entries: 1	I would go with the bubble blaster pump for your skimmer. Which model do you have, that would dictate which bubble blaster to get

04/01/2013, 07:48 AM	#5
super_steve85 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Monroe, NC Posts: 132	I've got the Reef Octopus Extreme 200. It looks like the Sicce PSK2500 (the stock pump) is rated at a 660 gph flow rate, along with the PSK600. The PSK1000 puts out 880 gph. Does anybody have experience adding a third more flow to their skimmers than what came out of the box? I don't know what the air draw is on the PSK's, but just matching up water flow rates it looks like I would need the Bubble Blaster HY-10000S pump (600 gph)? This is close to 3x the $$$ of the PSK's. Is it that much better? Thanks for your input.

04/02/2013, 07:44 AM	#6
super_steve85 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Monroe, NC Posts: 132	I emailed the Reef Octopus rep and his response was that the BB HY-3000 or the Sicce PSK1000 are the size I need for my skimmer, along with an adapter for both of them. Is the Bubble Blaster really worth twice the money of the Sicce? The only thing I didn't like about the Sicce was the startup issues. If those are fixed....

04/02/2013, 11:08 AM	#8
super_steve85 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Monroe, NC Posts: 132	That's the way I'm leaning. All the stuff I seen on it makes me think it will do the job just fine. Thanks!

04/02/2013, 01:16 PM	#11
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	another one for the BB pump. My 5000 rocks my swc __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

04/02/2013, 05:34 PM	#12
bravanc Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 210 Blog Entries: 1	+1 on the BBHY5000 my reef octopus 300 cranks. Just like having a new skimmer. Thats why I suggested it earlier

04/02/2013, 05:44 PM	#13
saltwaterpicaso Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 778	another vote for the bubble blaster never had a problem and way better than anything else i have come across and its got a really good warranty

04/02/2013, 07:12 PM	#14
super_steve85 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Monroe, NC Posts: 132	Uh oh. Looks like overwhelming support for the Bubble Blaster. I was afraid of that. Thanks for your help everyone!

04/02/2013, 07:15 PM	#15
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	You won't go wrong with either one, there haven't been as many failures with the BB lately. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.