where did 1260's & Recirculating Skimmers go?

naimasreef · 10/06/2017, 07:17 PM

Let me date myself.

Getting back into the hobby and going thru my old stuff trying to decide what to keep and what to upgrade . . . back in my day:

Eheim 1260 pumps were the very good. Not red dragon status obviously, but good solid reliable returns and with a proper needle they did a great job pulling the nasty. Is DC power consumption and control that much better? and reliability?

Also, and somewhat in combination; why no more recirculating skimmers?

Is the design less quality than a single pass? Or will they make a comeback??

Just picked a used Vertex 150, and thinking of modding it to accept my old 1262 needle recirculator or maybe try modding it with the sicce.

just been wondering and don't have any reefer pals to talk nonsense with . . . thanks.

moondoggy4 · 10/06/2017, 08:39 PM

I have a old Euro Reef with the eheim mod, Aquarium Source now sells old Reef Dynamics INS 80 and INS135 plus the old eheim pumps.

I also have a old H&S 150 external skimmer but getting Aqua Bee pumps are very difficult to come by.

Do you have the older style Vertex skimmer? Or the new Red and White Vertex skimmer?

Welcome back

45commando · 10/06/2017, 08:46 PM

Eheim 1260 as return pump here. Bought it used I think 12 years ago. Used it to run my skimmer, then as return pump on a FW tank for a few years. Now as return pump on my DT. Silent & doesn't add any heat to the tank & has never let me down...hope I didn't just jinx myself

FirstContact · 10/06/2017, 09:12 PM

My Eheim 1262 is my back up pump. I also use it for WC and other maintenance.

Not too many recirculating skimmers. I have a Skimz. Other choices would be Reef Octopus and Deltec. Other than that, I think there are some other brand choices like MRC and a few others.

ca1ore · 10/06/2017, 09:22 PM

Recirculators are a more complex design, so less likely to be found in entry level skimmers; which are the ones most people buy. Having owned both kinds, I'm not sure one is necessarily better than the other. I currently run a MTC recirculator, but prior were pass through.

naimasreef · 10/06/2017, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

I have a old Euro Reef with the eheim mod, Aquarium Source now sells old Reef Dynamics INS 80 and INS135 plus the old eheim pumps.

I also have a old H&S 150 external skimmer but getting Aqua Bee pumps are very difficult to come by.

Do you have the older style Vertex skimmer? Or the new Red and White Vertex skimmer?

Welcome back

Yes . . . I recall ER being good and H&S & Deltec were best . . . then BK & ATB rolled in with some new style.

I have the newer style, I think. googled, and looks they used to make a more conventional styled black version.

naimasreef · 10/06/2017, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 45commando

Eheim 1260 as return pump here. Bought it used I think 12 years ago. Used it to run my skimmer, then as return pump on a FW tank for a few years. Now as return pump on my DT. Silent & doesn't add any heat to the tank & has never let me down...hope I didn't just jinx myself

nice one 45commando. thats crazy value!!!

if it fails, cause you jinxed yourself . . . just buy another one, can't go wrong!

tkeracer619 · 10/06/2017, 10:45 PM

Other than two Sequence commercial pumps every pump in my new setup is either Ecotech Marine or Ehiem.

Great hardware. You pay for it but it's worth every penny. My oldest 1262 was 18 or so years old. The cord insulation rotted off and all the labels faded. Still worked when I tossed it.

billdogg · 10/07/2017, 10:06 AM

+1 for eheim pumps. I have 2 x 1262. One of them is now over 30 years old. I've replaced the impeller once. The other is not even broken in yet at only 4 years old.

naimasreef · 10/07/2017, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Recirculators are a more complex design, so less likely to be found in entry level skimmers; which are the ones most people buy. Having owned both kinds, I'm not sure one is necessarily better than the other. I currently run a MTC recirculator, but prior were pass through.

thanks ca1ore. guess if they were actually better, than more would be available or demand would be stronger . . . just seems like they just pull heavy gunk, maybe a drier skim?

naimasreef · 10/07/2017, 11:22 AM

Eheim pumps are durable!! Superb value . . .

12 years going once.

18years going twice!

Sold!! 30years billdog, truly amazing. Germans

Can someone beat 30years on any brand pump!?

Zephrant · 10/07/2017, 10:57 PM

I've had an Eheim recirculating in my CA reactor for over a decade now. Had to clean it again a few weeks ago, that's twice if I recall correctly...

Very much appreciate that mine have not leaked when I run them externally.

Good pumps, never had a failure on them.

psidriven · 10/09/2017, 07:44 AM

I agree 1260 is a great pump, but the modded 1050 used by ATB sucked. Kept breaking impellers. If its the ATB needle wheel or the impeller is to blame, that I don't know.

10/06/2017, 07:17 PM	#1
naimasreef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 124	where did 1260's & Recirculating Skimmers go? Let me date myself. Getting back into the hobby and going thru my old stuff trying to decide what to keep and what to upgrade . . . back in my day: Eheim 1260 pumps were the very good. Not red dragon status obviously, but good solid reliable returns and with a proper needle they did a great job pulling the nasty. Is DC power consumption and control that much better? and reliability? Also, and somewhat in combination; why no more recirculating skimmers? Is the design less quality than a single pass? Or will they make a comeback?? Just picked a used Vertex 150, and thinking of modding it to accept my old 1262 needle recirculator or maybe try modding it with the sicce. just been wondering and don't have any reefer pals to talk nonsense with . . . thanks.

10/06/2017, 08:46 PM	#3
45commando Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 1,321	Eheim 1260 as return pump here. Bought it used I think 12 years ago. Used it to run my skimmer, then as return pump on a FW tank for a few years. Now as return pump on my DT. Silent & doesn't add any heat to the tank & has never let me down...hope I didn't just jinx myself __________________ "It's not the size of the dog in the fight;It's the size of the fight in the dog!" -Sir Winston Churchill. Current Tank Info: 92G Corner tank, 250 wt 14K MH, 20G sump, 5G fuge, mixed reef

10/06/2017, 09:12 PM	#4
FirstContact Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glenn Dale, MD Posts: 1,613	My Eheim 1262 is my back up pump. I also use it for WC and other maintenance. Not too many recirculating skimmers. I have a Skimz. Other choices would be Reef Octopus and Deltec. Other than that, I think there are some other brand choices like MRC and a few others. __________________ No man is an island entire of itself; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. John Donne Current Tank Info: 120g Reef 100g Rubbermaid Sump, 20g Refugium; previous tank: 46g Drilled; Self Plumbed, Birds Nest, Anchor, Xenia, Zoas, Yuma Yuma Ricordea, Chalice, Mushrooms, Brain, Acan, Anenome Plate; Clams, Other Inverts, Fish, Live Rock

10/06/2017, 09:22 PM	#5
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Recirculators are a more complex design, so less likely to be found in entry level skimmers; which are the ones most people buy. Having owned both kinds, I'm not sure one is necessarily better than the other. I currently run a MTC recirculator, but prior were pass through. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

10/06/2017, 10:45 PM	#8
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Other than two Sequence commercial pumps every pump in my new setup is either Ecotech Marine or Ehiem. Great hardware. You pay for it but it's worth every penny. My oldest 1262 was 18 or so years old. The cord insulation rotted off and all the labels faded. Still worked when I tossed it. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

10/06/2017, 08:39 PM	#2
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	I have a old Euro Reef with the eheim mod, Aquarium Source now sells old Reef Dynamics INS 80 and INS135 plus the old eheim pumps. I also have a old H&S 150 external skimmer but getting Aqua Bee pumps are very difficult to come by. Do you have the older style Vertex skimmer? Or the new Red and White Vertex skimmer? Welcome back

10/07/2017, 10:06 AM	#9
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	+1 for eheim pumps. I have 2 x 1262. One of them is now over 30 years old. I've replaced the impeller once. The other is not even broken in yet at only 4 years old. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

10/07/2017, 11:22 AM	#11
naimasreef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 124	Eheim pumps are durable!! Superb value . . . 12 years going once. 18years going twice! Sold!! 30years billdog, truly amazing. Germans Can someone beat 30years on any brand pump!?

10/07/2017, 10:57 PM	#12
Zephrant Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,234	I've had an Eheim recirculating in my CA reactor for over a decade now. Had to clean it again a few weeks ago, that's twice if I recall correctly... Very much appreciate that mine have not leaked when I run them externally. Good pumps, never had a failure on them.

10/09/2017, 07:44 AM	#13
psidriven Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Westside Taipei Posts: 1,292	I agree 1260 is a great pump, but the modded 1050 used by ATB sucked. Kept breaking impellers. If its the ATB needle wheel or the impeller is to blame, that I don't know. __________________ Trying to learn to read Chinese. Current Tank Info: 24 cube a go, baby walks