Switching Sicce for Red Dragon

Tracey2 · 03/30/2011, 12:44 PM

Has anyone ever just switched pumps on their skimmer instead of replacing the whole thing? If you have replaced your pump on either and ATB cone or ATI bubbemaster from the sicce 2500, please tell me what you replaced it with any how its working.

3rd question, are red dragon pumps the same pump as askoll pumps?

Thanks for your help.

skh · 03/30/2011, 04:02 PM

Have you thought about switching to the PSK 1000 used in the new ATB 840 2.0? It's supposed to have similar characteristics as the PSK 2500 (same air draw, higher water draw) but without any startup issues. There's at least one thread on RC about someone who switched out a stock PSK 2500 on an MSX skimmer to a PSK 1000 and really liked it.

Also, I think the version of the PSK 1000 used with the ATB 840 2.0 is just a stock pump with an acrylic stand. So you could probably get away with ordering a stock PSK 1000.

Sharpie_ · 03/30/2011, 04:09 PM

I believe red dragon uses the askoll body but manufactures their own volute, impeller and part of the housing.

Tracey2 · 03/30/2011, 04:22 PM

skh, I didn't know I had that option, thanks, I will look into it.

Sharpie, thats what I was told by someone trying to sell me a Askoll pump, just checking.

Anyone know if the PSK1000 is available in Canada?

moondoggy4 · 03/30/2011, 06:40 PM

Is this for your ATB 840? A similar pump to the Sicce 2500 is the Tunze 9420 I have switched pumps two times on my skimmer. Sedra 5000 to a Eheim 1260 Sicce 2500 to a tuzne 9420 Hydrofoamer.

jcw · 03/30/2011, 07:18 PM

Can I ask why the switch? It seems the pump on the ATB v2 works pretty well and doesn't get too hot.

I just picked up a used atb 1050 with an eheim 1260 and was not happy with the vibration and heat that thing put out. But it may have been an issue with the pump itself.

Tracey2 · 03/31/2011, 12:59 PM

Thanks for your replies.

moondog, good to know it has been done, yes for the ATB840 and an ATI250. When I ask anyone at the stores I am told there is a magic to the pump matching the skimmer and I have to replace my skimmer. I have heard great things about askoll/reg dragon and tunze pumps, are your happy with your tunze, are you getting the same performance from your ATB? Do you think the tunze pumps would also work for the ATI?

jcw, I am not happy with the stop/start issues with the PSK2500, I love my skimmers when they are running they are great but I am tired of fiddling with these pumps.

chadfarmer · 03/31/2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcw

Can I ask why the switch? It seems the pump on the ATB v2 works pretty well and doesn't get too hot.

I just picked up a used atb 1050 with an eheim 1260 and was not happy with the vibration and heat that thing put out. But it may have been an issue with the pump itself.

make sure there is a plastic bushing below the magnet to move the needlewheel up a little so it doesnt rub on the housing on the eheim 1260 i ran 1 external

BuckeyeTodd · 03/31/2011, 04:18 PM

Just get the new Sicce they are putting on the 2.0. That is the only difference between a 1.5 and 2.0. I don't know if Reef Specialty ships to Canada or not but they sell them for I believe $189

chads120 · 03/31/2011, 04:50 PM

I have a atb v2.0. It starts up every time. I had a skimmer with a psk2500 before this one. Hard to start. I hated it, if I needed to try to start it up again for any reason it was a head ache. I love the sendra 1000!!!

moondoggy4 · 03/31/2011, 04:54 PM

I would not switch from an ATB pump to a Red Dragon you would go from great customer service (Victor) to near non existence C/S with a Red Dragon. Askol pump are another story should be great there for the ATI and there are enough people who made the switch to remove any doubt on which pump. SoCalTropicalFish.com (no Relation) ships to Canada and carries ATB.

moondoggy4 · 03/31/2011, 04:56 PM

The Tunze is a great pump cheaper that my Eheim 1260 pump and uses less electricity, but I would just get the new Synra line from Sicce for the ATB

moondoggy4 · 03/31/2011, 04:57 PM

http://www.reefspecialty.com/virtuem...ncra-pump.html something like this

Tracey2 · 03/31/2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckeyeTodd

Just get the new Sicce they are putting on the 2.0. That is the only difference between a 1.5 and 2.0. I don't know if Reef Specialty ships to Canada or not but they sell them for I believe $189

Whats the only difference?

Tracey2 · 03/31/2011, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chads120

I have a atb v2.0. It starts up every time. I had a skimmer with a psk2500 before this one. Hard to start. I hated it, if I needed to try to start it up again for any reason it was a head ache. I love the sendra 1000!!!

So you have the new v.20 on an ATB840? What do you run the sedra1000 with?

Tracey2 · 03/31/2011, 05:21 PM

So Moondog, you would use the new v2.0 on the ATB but go to the Askol for the ATI? When you say enough people have made the switch do you mean from the PSK2500 to askol? What size askol pumps would I need for the ATI250?

chads120 · 03/31/2011, 05:47 PM

I spelled the pump wrong. It is the pump that is being recommended most above. It came with the atb 840 v2.0 . Awesome compared to a regular psk 2500.

chads120 · 03/31/2011, 05:49 PM

It also won't break the bank!

moondoggy4 · 03/31/2011, 06:09 PM

Yes for the ATB I would post another thread for the ATI 250. The 200 ATI uses the single Sicce 2500 so the 250 uses two So I would either get a Askol or a Bubble Blaster pump sorry not sure about which size.

bamf25 · 03/31/2011, 06:11 PM

I switch out the mesh for pinwheeles on the psk2500 and it made a massive difference for startup, but the damn things are still noisy. I was gonna try the carbon fiber shafts before I gave up on the pumps though. I have an ATI bubblemaster 2500. The psk is rated for 660 gph I believe.

BuckeyeTodd · 03/31/2011, 07:40 PM

the link moondoggy provided is the pump they are putting on the atb 840 v2.0(sicce syncra)...the only difference between the 1.5 and the 2.0 is the pump, which you can buy using that link

Tracey2 · 03/31/2011, 07:46 PM

Thanks Chads120, good to know the v2.0 works well before I spend more money, very disappointing though to have spent the money I have to get a crappy pump.

Thanks Moondoggie, I would think I could use 2 v2.0's on the ATI as well if its so comparable to the PSK2500, maybe I can get a deal on 3, although I am not very confident in Sicce now.

bamf25, I have used all of the different pinwheels & meshwheels and still have the same issues. I just ordered new shafts for them but didn't know there were different types, where do you get the carbon ones? How do you like your ATI, I like mine better than the ATB and when the pumps are running it really pulls alot of gunk out, I also like how it adjust much easier than the ATB.

moondoggy4 · 03/31/2011, 07:57 PM

You can always sell your old ATB skimmer pumps for probably 100 bucks. For your ATI I would only buy one pump

chads120 · 03/31/2011, 08:01 PM

The funny thing is that my old skimmer is an ATI bubblemaster 250. Now its sitting in the garage.

The atb version of the psk2500 is suppost to be better than the regular ones on the ATI.

moondoggy4 · 03/31/2011, 08:28 PM

The difference between the the Sicce 2500 and the new Syncra 2.0 is that the Syncra has more torque so that it does not have a start up issue.
You can see if Reef Specialty ships to Canada.
Socaltropicalfish.com is So California and they claim to ship worldwide, I have been in there store and he is a equipment junkie he has everything in stock.

03/30/2011, 12:44 PM	#1
Tracey2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 860	Switching Sicce for Red Dragon Has anyone ever just switched pumps on their skimmer instead of replacing the whole thing? If you have replaced your pump on either and ATB cone or ATI bubbemaster from the sicce 2500, please tell me what you replaced it with any how its working. 3rd question, are red dragon pumps the same pump as askoll pumps? Thanks for your help.

03/30/2011, 04:09 PM	#3
Sharpie_ Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Southern Ontario, Canada Posts: 363	I believe red dragon uses the askoll body but manufactures their own volute, impeller and part of the housing. __________________ Getting wet since '07. Current Tank Info: 120 Display, 65 Sump, 50 Refugiem, DT is holding 135 lbs of aquarcaultured rock. 400W MH 14,000K XM bulb provides light for a mixed reef.

03/30/2011, 07:18 PM	#6
jcw Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: elmhurst, il Posts: 1,778	Can I ask why the switch? It seems the pump on the ATB v2 works pretty well and doesn't get too hot. I just picked up a used atb 1050 with an eheim 1260 and was not happy with the vibration and heat that thing put out. But it may have been an issue with the pump itself. __________________ I don't think Coral can live very long under Sun light. It's too yellow. ...get yourself some LED's. -eznet2u Current Tank Info: 125g DT, custom 30g sump, ATB elegance, eheim 1260, mp40 (too many failed wetsides), gyre 150 (love it)

03/31/2011, 04:18 PM	#9
BuckeyeTodd Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,054	Just get the new Sicce they are putting on the 2.0. That is the only difference between a 1.5 and 2.0. I don't know if Reef Specialty ships to Canada or not but they sell them for I believe $189 __________________ Current Tank 150 Cube 36x36x27 2mp40w es, four bulb Tek and six bulb Tek, SRO 3000

03/31/2011, 07:40 PM	#21
BuckeyeTodd Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,054	the link moondoggy provided is the pump they are putting on the atb 840 v2.0(sicce syncra)...the only difference between the 1.5 and the 2.0 is the pump, which you can buy using that link __________________ Current Tank 150 Cube 36x36x27 2mp40w es, four bulb Tek and six bulb Tek, SRO 3000

03/30/2011, 04:02 PM	#2
skh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 312	Have you thought about switching to the PSK 1000 used in the new ATB 840 2.0? It's supposed to have similar characteristics as the PSK 2500 (same air draw, higher water draw) but without any startup issues. There's at least one thread on RC about someone who switched out a stock PSK 2500 on an MSX skimmer to a PSK 1000 and really liked it. Also, I think the version of the PSK 1000 used with the ATB 840 2.0 is just a stock pump with an acrylic stand. So you could probably get away with ordering a stock PSK 1000.

03/30/2011, 04:22 PM	#4
Tracey2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 860	skh, I didn't know I had that option, thanks, I will look into it. Sharpie, thats what I was told by someone trying to sell me a Askoll pump, just checking. Anyone know if the PSK1000 is available in Canada?

03/30/2011, 06:40 PM	#5
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Is this for your ATB 840? A similar pump to the Sicce 2500 is the Tunze 9420 I have switched pumps two times on my skimmer. Sedra 5000 to a Eheim 1260 Sicce 2500 to a tuzne 9420 Hydrofoamer.

03/31/2011, 12:59 PM	#7
Tracey2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 860	Thanks for your replies. moondog, good to know it has been done, yes for the ATB840 and an ATI250. When I ask anyone at the stores I am told there is a magic to the pump matching the skimmer and I have to replace my skimmer. I have heard great things about askoll/reg dragon and tunze pumps, are your happy with your tunze, are you getting the same performance from your ATB? Do you think the tunze pumps would also work for the ATI? jcw, I am not happy with the stop/start issues with the PSK2500, I love my skimmers when they are running they are great but I am tired of fiddling with these pumps.

03/31/2011, 04:50 PM	#10
chads120 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Elk Grove,Ca Posts: 433	I have a atb v2.0. It starts up every time. I had a skimmer with a psk2500 before this one. Hard to start. I hated it, if I needed to try to start it up again for any reason it was a head ache. I love the sendra 1000!!!

03/31/2011, 04:54 PM	#11
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	I would not switch from an ATB pump to a Red Dragon you would go from great customer service (Victor) to near non existence C/S with a Red Dragon. Askol pump are another story should be great there for the ATI and there are enough people who made the switch to remove any doubt on which pump. SoCalTropicalFish.com (no Relation) ships to Canada and carries ATB.

03/31/2011, 04:56 PM	#12
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	The Tunze is a great pump cheaper that my Eheim 1260 pump and uses less electricity, but I would just get the new Synra line from Sicce for the ATB

03/31/2011, 04:57 PM	#13
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	http://www.reefspecialty.com/virtuem...ncra-pump.html something like this

03/31/2011, 05:21 PM	#16
Tracey2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 860	So Moondog, you would use the new v2.0 on the ATB but go to the Askol for the ATI? When you say enough people have made the switch do you mean from the PSK2500 to askol? What size askol pumps would I need for the ATI250?

03/31/2011, 05:47 PM	#17
chads120 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Elk Grove,Ca Posts: 433	I spelled the pump wrong. It is the pump that is being recommended most above. It came with the atb 840 v2.0 . Awesome compared to a regular psk 2500.

03/31/2011, 05:49 PM	#18
chads120 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Elk Grove,Ca Posts: 433	It also won't break the bank!

03/31/2011, 06:09 PM	#19
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Yes for the ATB I would post another thread for the ATI 250. The 200 ATI uses the single Sicce 2500 so the 250 uses two So I would either get a Askol or a Bubble Blaster pump sorry not sure about which size.

03/31/2011, 06:11 PM	#20
bamf25 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central NJ Posts: 1,419	I switch out the mesh for pinwheeles on the psk2500 and it made a massive difference for startup, but the damn things are still noisy. I was gonna try the carbon fiber shafts before I gave up on the pumps though. I have an ATI bubblemaster 2500. The psk is rated for 660 gph I believe.

03/31/2011, 07:46 PM	#22
Tracey2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 860	Thanks Chads120, good to know the v2.0 works well before I spend more money, very disappointing though to have spent the money I have to get a crappy pump. Thanks Moondoggie, I would think I could use 2 v2.0's on the ATI as well if its so comparable to the PSK2500, maybe I can get a deal on 3, although I am not very confident in Sicce now. bamf25, I have used all of the different pinwheels & meshwheels and still have the same issues. I just ordered new shafts for them but didn't know there were different types, where do you get the carbon ones? How do you like your ATI, I like mine better than the ATB and when the pumps are running it really pulls alot of gunk out, I also like how it adjust much easier than the ATB.

03/31/2011, 07:57 PM	#23
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	You can always sell your old ATB skimmer pumps for probably 100 bucks. For your ATI I would only buy one pump

03/31/2011, 08:01 PM	#24
chads120 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Elk Grove,Ca Posts: 433	The funny thing is that my old skimmer is an ATI bubblemaster 250. Now its sitting in the garage. The atb version of the psk2500 is suppost to be better than the regular ones on the ATI.

03/31/2011, 08:28 PM	#25
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	The difference between the the Sicce 2500 and the new Syncra 2.0 is that the Syncra has more torque so that it does not have a start up issue. You can see if Reef Specialty ships to Canada. Socaltropicalfish.com is So California and they claim to ship worldwide, I have been in there store and he is a equipment junkie he has everything in stock.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Red Dragon Pump for my closed-loop ?	Ginzo	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	4	02/13/2006 11:51 AM
Red Dragon pump, i search the manufacturer	zoocoral	Reef Discussion	4	02/06/2006 05:36 AM