H&S Skimmer Club - Page 17

pecan2phat · 10/25/2010, 05:15 PM

I also have the SS washers wearing out quite often to the point where it has damaged the impellar magnet.
I don't understand why there needs to be washers whereas my Deltec skimmer which utilizes pinwheel Eheims also, do not have any washers on the impellar assembly.

dahenley · 10/25/2010, 05:30 PM

i would pull the impellers from each, and lay them next to each other.. (mainly because i would like to see the difference)
and also, it will allow you to take a pair of digital calipers and measure each.
the snout on the mag assy might be shorter on the Deltec which allows the impeller to fall when off. then when turned on, the magnetic force will pull the impeller up in the pump which defeats the purpose of the SS washers..

(this is just a guess of mine...)

SaraB · 10/25/2010, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyman

How in the world are all you H&S owners dealing with the SS washers? I find it very hard to believe most of you people are changing that washer out every 6 months. I guess thats why no one buys H&S anymore.

I guess I consider it maintenace is all with cleaning the pumps and no, I don't get worked up about some cheap SS washers. Would I like some ceramic ones if they work, heck yeah. Also, there's no need to bash the brand either.

andyman · 10/26/2010, 10:43 AM

Your absolutely right. Can't bash the brand. Their poor design on the Ehiem modification has allowed me to purchase the A250 for peanuts. I have to say tho that the actual skimmer itself is really well made. No complaints there. My other H&S A150 has been running non-stop 24/7 with an aquabee pump for 5 years. I only cleaned the sucker once in that time period.

I expect the same performance from the A250 which I will get soon.

andyman · 10/26/2010, 01:57 PM

by the way guys, I've read thru finsreefs sponsor forum here and also looked back 4 years of posting. In almost every post I see the #10 washer being the recommended one. A #10 washer measures 0.2 inner diam which is 5.21mm or sometimes 0.19 or 4.8mm. The shaft is a 4mm shaft. Why allow the washer to wobble and vibrate? The washer that comes stock with the pump, do you have any wiggle room? It theoretically should be a 4mm washer.

Seems like a better fit would be an 8-32 or a No 8. Any technical reason to pick a #10? The ceramic washer I selected has no play at all, measuring 4.05mm. Probably just enough to let it spin.

andy

C-21 USAF · 10/26/2010, 04:21 PM

Andy,

I've tried the #8 and it wiggles too.

Keep us posted on the ceramics!

andyman · 10/28/2010, 10:18 PM

Ok I ran my A250-1260 for 1 day now (24hr period) with 4mm SS washers and I have to tell you they are already exhibiting signs of rust. Not complete corrosion but you can def see black rings forming and you can also see the wear marks from the grinding against the other washers. SS def don't belong here. I've swapped out the washers with my ceramic washers that just arrived. Ceramic washers are very brittle and I already broke 5 of them. This first batch I received seems like a #8 or larger because it certainly has a lot of wiggle room. I also received other washers that fit perfectly but its so perfect that I barely have any tolerance and it drags just so slightly. I decided to go with the larger size so I don't damage my shaft.

2 ceramic washers on top and 2 on bottom. I'll run it for 24 hrs just for a comparison to SS then I'll run it for 1 week, post some notes, then for 1 month, and 3 months. If it survives I got my solution. If it doesn't , I gotta custom order some thicker washers or bushing which will really be costly.

andyman · 11/01/2010, 01:59 PM

Last update for a while. I removed the impeller from the pump this weekend after 48hrs and I can tell you the pump runs cooler. The shaft is not warm (like it is with the SS washers) and everything looks perfect with not much wear.. In fact it looks good as new.

I do have to say the impeller is still warm but only from residual heat from the pump itself and not heat from the friction of the impellor and washers. With the SS washers, things got pretty warm.

Thats it for now. I'm a happy camper. I ordered 2 spare impellors anyway since these things seem impossible to get and finsreef had 2 left. I'll post another update in 6 months.

MattG · 11/01/2010, 02:55 PM

I have a 200 with a single eheim 1260. How many washers should I have on the pump? How many on the bottom of the impeller? How many on the top?

Thanks

SaraB · 11/01/2010, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattG

I have a 200 with a single eheim 1260. How many washers should I have on the pump? How many on the bottom of the impeller? How many on the top?

Thanks

I run with 4 total ... 2 on top and 2 on the bottom.

MattG · 11/01/2010, 03:59 PM

Great! Thanks Sara

RockDocPro · 11/22/2010, 06:50 PM

Sorry to get into this discussion so late. I have had an H&S skimmer (the one with 2 eheims) for about three years. It has always worked great. What's this about washers I should be replacing? I have never done any pump maintenance on it, but maybe I should be doing so. Thanks.

mnestroy · 11/26/2010, 05:44 PM

What is the best way to plumb an external H&S A150 that is feeding back into a 20 Gallon Glass DIY Sump?

I've used flex 1 1/4th PVC's and tried ever angle but I'm am still getting tons of splashing, and mirobubbles...

I'm only feeding my skimmer with a MJ 900 and have quit a bit of extra hose so I'm sure the MJ 900 is not pushing its full potential through the skimmer.

I know the return can not be submerged, so what ideas/inventions have people come up with to silience the return? This is the loudest component in my entire tank and its driving me crazy

I've read people using 2 or 3 inch Y adapters and create a reverse durso type, I can see how ths can be good for the drain because it can be submerged, but can the same concept be applied on the skimmer? (I guess the catch would be the water woudl still need to drain above the surface and have plenty space for the air to vent out or it would cause a back presssure and mess up the level in the skimmer)

Any ideas would be greately appericated!

C-21 USAF · 11/27/2010, 11:33 AM

Andy,

So where do we get the ceramic washers?

They still holding up and keeping things cool?

Thanks,
Jason

C-21 USAF · 11/27/2010, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mnestroy

What is the best way to plumb an external H&S A150 that is feeding back into a 20 Gallon Glass DIY Sump?

I've used flex 1 1/4th PVC's and tried ever angle but I'm am still getting tons of splashing, and mirobubbles...

I'm only feeding my skimmer with a MJ 900 and have quit a bit of extra hose so I'm sure the MJ 900 is not pushing its full potential through the skimmer.

I know the return can not be submerged, so what ideas/inventions have people come up with to silience the return? This is the loudest component in my entire tank and its driving me crazy

I've read people using 2 or 3 inch Y adapters and create a reverse durso type, I can see how ths can be good for the drain because it can be submerged, but can the same concept be applied on the skimmer? (I guess the catch would be the water woudl still need to drain above the surface and have plenty space for the air to vent out or it would cause a back presssure and mess up the level in the skimmer)

Any ideas would be greately appericated!

I used clear tubing from Lowes that fit over the output. I then ran in into my sump at a very slight angle so the water quietly and smoothly "pours" into the sump.

andyman · 12/01/2010, 08:51 PM

1 month update. Just ripped it apart to make sure things are fine. In fact things are perfect. Looks exactly like the day I installed it. No flaking metal, no loose material, impellor runs cool (i've mentioned before that impellor feels warm on inspection).

pecan2phat · 12/01/2010, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-21 USAF

Andy,

So where do we get the ceramic washers?

They still holding up and keeping things cool?

Thanks,
Jason

Same here Andy,
Where do we order the ceramic washers from and how many do you use on each end of the impellar?

Thanks.

andyman · 12/01/2010, 11:08 PM

The only problem with these ceramic washers is that there is a minum order.

http://www.lspceramics.com/

If your in the bay area, california order from
http://www.ortechceramics.com/store/...rodCategory=14

1.85 but i think $50 is the minimum order. You want the 8/32 I think.

I use 2 on top and 2 on bottom. Depending on wear I use 3 on top to take up gap (i bought my skimmer used).

Haksar · 12/02/2010, 07:25 AM

How is H&S F2001 ,is it a good skimmer.I have an offer to buy it cheap.It comes with a Aquabee pump.

I have a 136gallon tank and currenlty using Aquamedic Turbofloater.

C-21 USAF · 12/02/2010, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyman

The only problem with these ceramic washers is that there is a minum order.

http://www.lspceramics.com/

If your in the bay area, california order from
http://www.ortechceramics.com/store/...rodCategory=14

1.85 but i think $50 is the minimum order. You want the 8/32 I think.

I use 2 on top and 2 on bottom. Depending on wear I use 3 on top to take up gap (i bought my skimmer used).

I'll split an order with you...or someone else for that matter...any takers?

Thanks,
Jason

C-21 USAF · 12/02/2010, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyman

You want the 8/32 I think.

Andy,

Is there anyway you can confirm this before we order?
Can you look up what you ordered just to be sure?

Thanks,
Jason

pecan2phat · 12/02/2010, 10:12 AM

Jason,
If you do order them, I can split it with you. I can PP you + the postage when you are ready to send it out.

Thanks,
Warren

andyman · 12/02/2010, 11:47 AM

Its confirmed .. 8/32. It will be a lot bigger then your shaft but the washer actually doesn't spin because the rubber holds it in place. And the impeller simply slides over the washer. I also purchased the 6/32 and it was a perfect fit BUT the tolerances are so close that it will either be perfect or too tight.

By the way if you do get these get a few extras. They are very brittle and if you simply just drop the impellor assembly into the pump, the magnets will suck it in so quick that it will crack the washers (due to design of pump). You want to assemble the impellors with the washer then slowly lower it into the pump with a needle nose so as to not damage the washer. The washer can handle a lot of sheer force but not impact force.

andyman · 12/06/2010, 01:04 PM

Seems like some of you are not able to order due to quantity limits and simply these companies don't deal with individuals. I am happy to a small one time group order if there is enough interest (since I need to meet the minimum order quantity anyway). So I propose
$25 per pump (6 washers 2 spares total of 8 washers)
and $5 for USPS priority

Just need a list of people who are interested. Feel free to post here in regards to quantity.

C-21 USAF · 12/06/2010, 04:57 PM

Andyman,

I haven't had much luck with either place. Pecan2phat already sent me $30 for a combined order, so I'll be buying for him and myself.

I'm curious to try the 6-32 washers as well. Are they $1.85 a piece too?

I'll be out of town until Wednesday...Thanks!

10/25/2010, 05:30 PM	#402
dahenley Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Lubbock, Tx Posts: 3,165	i would pull the impellers from each, and lay them next to each other.. (mainly because i would like to see the difference) and also, it will allow you to take a pair of digital calipers and measure each. the snout on the mag assy might be shorter on the Deltec which allows the impeller to fall when off. then when turned on, the magnetic force will pull the impeller up in the pump which defeats the purpose of the SS washers.. (this is just a guess of mine...) __________________ Its not just my tank, its OUR tank!!! :-) 240display, reef in progress Current Tank Info: 240 display, a few frags here and there. lots of fish, and lots of watching. (230 big screen getting re-sealed and going to add to the gallonage) My wife has no clue how addicted i really am.....

11/01/2010, 02:55 PM	#409
MattG Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Waco, TX Posts: 3,216	I have a 200 with a single eheim 1260. How many washers should I have on the pump? How many on the bottom of the impeller? How many on the top? Thanks __________________ Matt Current Tank Info: 215 mixed reef

11/01/2010, 03:59 PM	#411
MattG Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Waco, TX Posts: 3,216	Great! Thanks Sara __________________ Matt Current Tank Info: 215 mixed reef

11/22/2010, 06:50 PM	#412
RockDocPro Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: SW Florida Posts: 111	washers? Sorry to get into this discussion so late. I have had an H&S skimmer (the one with 2 eheims) for about three years. It has always worked great. What's this about washers I should be replacing? I have never done any pump maintenance on it, but maybe I should be doing so. Thanks.

12/02/2010, 07:25 AM	#419
Haksar Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dubai Posts: 1,041	How is H&S F2001 ,is it a good skimmer.I have an offer to buy it cheap.It comes with a Aquabee pump. I have a 136gallon tank and currenlty using Aquamedic Turbofloater. __________________ Haksar

10/25/2010, 05:15 PM	#401
pecan2phat Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wallingford, CT Posts: 4,990	I also have the SS washers wearing out quite often to the point where it has damaged the impellar magnet. I don't understand why there needs to be washers whereas my Deltec skimmer which utilizes pinwheel Eheims also, do not have any washers on the impellar assembly.

10/26/2010, 10:43 AM	#404
andyman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,133	Your absolutely right. Can't bash the brand. Their poor design on the Ehiem modification has allowed me to purchase the A250 for peanuts. I have to say tho that the actual skimmer itself is really well made. No complaints there. My other H&S A150 has been running non-stop 24/7 with an aquabee pump for 5 years. I only cleaned the sucker once in that time period. I expect the same performance from the A250 which I will get soon.

10/26/2010, 01:57 PM	#405
andyman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,133	by the way guys, I've read thru finsreefs sponsor forum here and also looked back 4 years of posting. In almost every post I see the #10 washer being the recommended one. A #10 washer measures 0.2 inner diam which is 5.21mm or sometimes 0.19 or 4.8mm. The shaft is a 4mm shaft. Why allow the washer to wobble and vibrate? The washer that comes stock with the pump, do you have any wiggle room? It theoretically should be a 4mm washer. Seems like a better fit would be an 8-32 or a No 8. Any technical reason to pick a #10? The ceramic washer I selected has no play at all, measuring 4.05mm. Probably just enough to let it spin. andy

10/26/2010, 04:21 PM	#406
C-21 USAF Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 316	Andy, I've tried the #8 and it wiggles too. Keep us posted on the ceramics!

10/28/2010, 10:18 PM	#407
andyman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,133	Ok I ran my A250-1260 for 1 day now (24hr period) with 4mm SS washers and I have to tell you they are already exhibiting signs of rust. Not complete corrosion but you can def see black rings forming and you can also see the wear marks from the grinding against the other washers. SS def don't belong here. I've swapped out the washers with my ceramic washers that just arrived. Ceramic washers are very brittle and I already broke 5 of them. This first batch I received seems like a #8 or larger because it certainly has a lot of wiggle room. I also received other washers that fit perfectly but its so perfect that I barely have any tolerance and it drags just so slightly. I decided to go with the larger size so I don't damage my shaft. 2 ceramic washers on top and 2 on bottom. I'll run it for 24 hrs just for a comparison to SS then I'll run it for 1 week, post some notes, then for 1 month, and 3 months. If it survives I got my solution. If it doesn't , I gotta custom order some thicker washers or bushing which will really be costly.

11/01/2010, 01:59 PM	#408
andyman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,133	Last update for a while. I removed the impeller from the pump this weekend after 48hrs and I can tell you the pump runs cooler. The shaft is not warm (like it is with the SS washers) and everything looks perfect with not much wear.. In fact it looks good as new. I do have to say the impeller is still warm but only from residual heat from the pump itself and not heat from the friction of the impellor and washers. With the SS washers, things got pretty warm. Thats it for now. I'm a happy camper. I ordered 2 spare impellors anyway since these things seem impossible to get and finsreef had 2 left. I'll post another update in 6 months.

11/26/2010, 05:44 PM	#413
mnestroy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 2,216	What is the best way to plumb an external H&S A150 that is feeding back into a 20 Gallon Glass DIY Sump? I've used flex 1 1/4th PVC's and tried ever angle but I'm am still getting tons of splashing, and mirobubbles... I'm only feeding my skimmer with a MJ 900 and have quit a bit of extra hose so I'm sure the MJ 900 is not pushing its full potential through the skimmer. I know the return can not be submerged, so what ideas/inventions have people come up with to silience the return? This is the loudest component in my entire tank and its driving me crazy I've read people using 2 or 3 inch Y adapters and create a reverse durso type, I can see how ths can be good for the drain because it can be submerged, but can the same concept be applied on the skimmer? (I guess the catch would be the water woudl still need to drain above the surface and have plenty space for the air to vent out or it would cause a back presssure and mess up the level in the skimmer) Any ideas would be greately appericated!

11/27/2010, 11:33 AM	#414
C-21 USAF Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 316	Andy, So where do we get the ceramic washers? They still holding up and keeping things cool? Thanks, Jason

12/01/2010, 08:51 PM	#416
andyman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,133	1 month update. Just ripped it apart to make sure things are fine. In fact things are perfect. Looks exactly like the day I installed it. No flaking metal, no loose material, impellor runs cool (i've mentioned before that impellor feels warm on inspection).

12/01/2010, 11:08 PM	#418
andyman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,133	The only problem with these ceramic washers is that there is a minum order. http://www.lspceramics.com/ If your in the bay area, california order from http://www.ortechceramics.com/store/...rodCategory=14 1.85 but i think $50 is the minimum order. You want the 8/32 I think. I use 2 on top and 2 on bottom. Depending on wear I use 3 on top to take up gap (i bought my skimmer used).

12/02/2010, 10:12 AM	#422
pecan2phat Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wallingford, CT Posts: 4,990	Jason, If you do order them, I can split it with you. I can PP you + the postage when you are ready to send it out. Thanks, Warren

12/02/2010, 11:47 AM	#423
andyman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,133	Its confirmed .. 8/32. It will be a lot bigger then your shaft but the washer actually doesn't spin because the rubber holds it in place. And the impeller simply slides over the washer. I also purchased the 6/32 and it was a perfect fit BUT the tolerances are so close that it will either be perfect or too tight. By the way if you do get these get a few extras. They are very brittle and if you simply just drop the impellor assembly into the pump, the magnets will suck it in so quick that it will crack the washers (due to design of pump). You want to assemble the impellors with the washer then slowly lower it into the pump with a needle nose so as to not damage the washer. The washer can handle a lot of sheer force but not impact force. Last edited by andyman; 12/02/2010 at 11:50 AM. Reason: mistake

12/06/2010, 01:04 PM	#424
andyman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,133	Seems like some of you are not able to order due to quantity limits and simply these companies don't deal with individuals. I am happy to a small one time group order if there is enough interest (since I need to meet the minimum order quantity anyway). So I propose $25 per pump (6 washers 2 spares total of 8 washers) and $5 for USPS priority Just need a list of people who are interested. Feel free to post here in regards to quantity. Last edited by andyman; 12/06/2010 at 01:05 PM. Reason: typo

12/06/2010, 04:57 PM	#425
C-21 USAF Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 316	Andyman, I haven't had much luck with either place. Pecan2phat already sent me $30 for a combined order, so I'll be buying for him and myself. I'm curious to try the 6-32 washers as well. Are they $1.85 a piece too? I'll be out of town until Wednesday...Thanks!