Skimmer with DC Pump?

Chocobo · 02/23/2018, 02:33 PM

Hey guys!

I have an ESHOPPS S-200 and it is working great. I have an 88G Display with 24G Sump and the S-200 is a little large for it. That said - I'd really like to find a skimmer with a DC pump and I'd prefer the recirculating type.

I see the Regal 200EXT 8" Recirculating Protein Skimmer (VarioS) [ https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/regal...f-octopus.html ] fits the bill as far as being DC [I have a VarioS 4 for my return pump and like it] and it is a recirculating style. It does seem to be oversized just like the S-200 - but I can't seem to find anything else with a DC pump that's a reasonable size.

I do really like the built in float switch for the pump to shut it off when the cup gets full although I can rig something with an APEX and Float Switch to shut off the AC skimmer when the cup is full or even better - have it drain to an external container with a float switch - but that still doesn't solve the 'DC Pump' desire.

Recirculating design isn't a necessity but I think it would be nice to have to not have to worry really about the depth of the water in the sump when it comes to tuning the skimmer as well as the option to run the skimmer outside of the sump.

The VarioS4 is 25-40W where as the Sicce PSK-1000 in my ESHOPPS S-200 is 60W. Considering this is running 24/7 it does add up over time.

HBtank · 02/23/2018, 04:01 PM

Just went through this, I ultimately put a Varios 2 on my old recirculating skimmer (so a retrofit). Unfortunately there seems to be a gap in the market for external DC skimmers in that size range (5"-6" diameter).

I looked for awhile for their 170 ext (Regal 170-EXT), but it appears that CoralVue (the RO distributor) does not want to carry it anymore (in the US at least); that is what they stated when I contacted them. They were actually pretty abrasive about it, stating it never sold and the 200 is the same thing... uh no. I contacted RO directly, and they still make it with the new Varios pumps and said CoralVue should have it, so that was a bit frustrating that RO does not even know what their distributors carry.

I was unable to find anything else suitable, but here are certainly companies (custom skimmer manufacturers) that would make it for you I would guess. Just for more $$$

I would not put the 200 on your tank, that pump is going to pull some serious air, so good choice there. Love the Varios 2 pump so far.

Chocobo · 02/24/2018, 05:56 PM

I ended up ordering the regal 150INT. It’s not recirculating but should fit my setup better and is DC so quieter and more power efficient. Also more control with my apex beyond simply on or off.

Now to sell this ESHOPPS S-200...

bigtslape · 02/27/2018, 08:34 PM

what do you want for the s 200 i have a 150 and could use a bit larger one

Chocobo · 03/07/2018, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigtslape

what do you want for the s 200 i have a 150 and could use a bit larger one

I paid $449 for it on Feb 10th. Would probably like to get $375 back out of it - it's barely used and still in great shape.

rjjr1963 · 03/07/2018, 07:08 PM

Lifereef makes great internal and external skimmers. They can also do custom work. Build quality is top notch. Been running mine for 1 year with a DC pump.

02/23/2018, 02:33 PM	#1
Chocobo Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 93	Skimmer with DC Pump? Hey guys! I have an ESHOPPS S-200 and it is working great. I have an 88G Display with 24G Sump and the S-200 is a little large for it. That said - I'd really like to find a skimmer with a DC pump and I'd prefer the recirculating type. I see the Regal 200EXT 8" Recirculating Protein Skimmer (VarioS) [ https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/regal...f-octopus.html ] fits the bill as far as being DC [I have a VarioS 4 for my return pump and like it] and it is a recirculating style. It does seem to be oversized just like the S-200 - but I can't seem to find anything else with a DC pump that's a reasonable size. I do really like the built in float switch for the pump to shut it off when the cup gets full although I can rig something with an APEX and Float Switch to shut off the AC skimmer when the cup is full or even better - have it drain to an external container with a float switch - but that still doesn't solve the 'DC Pump' desire. Recirculating design isn't a necessity but I think it would be nice to have to not have to worry really about the depth of the water in the sump when it comes to tuning the skimmer as well as the option to run the skimmer outside of the sump. The VarioS4 is 25-40W where as the Sicce PSK-1000 in my ESHOPPS S-200 is 60W. Considering this is running 24/7 it does add up over time.

02/23/2018, 04:01 PM	#2
HBtank Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 2,957	Just went through this, I ultimately put a Varios 2 on my old recirculating skimmer (so a retrofit). Unfortunately there seems to be a gap in the market for external DC skimmers in that size range (5"-6" diameter). I looked for awhile for their 170 ext (Regal 170-EXT), but it appears that CoralVue (the RO distributor) does not want to carry it anymore (in the US at least); that is what they stated when I contacted them. They were actually pretty abrasive about it, stating it never sold and the 200 is the same thing... uh no. I contacted RO directly, and they still make it with the new Varios pumps and said CoralVue should have it, so that was a bit frustrating that RO does not even know what their distributors carry. I was unable to find anything else suitable, but here are certainly companies (custom skimmer manufacturers) that would make it for you I would guess. Just for more $$$ I would not put the 200 on your tank, that pump is going to pull some serious air, so good choice there. Love the Varios 2 pump so far. __________________ 80g Aiptasia dominated reef tank.. with fish and now a bunch of berghia! Current Tank Info: 80g tank, re-starting a reef after a zoanthid nudibranch plauge, followed by months of steady and unstoppable STN/RTN, crashed; stayed FOWLR for a couple years, currently an aiptasia dominated reef tank with fishies and BERGHIA Last edited by HBtank; 02/23/2018 at 04:07 PM.

03/07/2018, 07:08 PM	#6
rjjr1963 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Nebraska/Missouri Posts: 770	Lifereef makes great internal and external skimmers. They can also do custom work. Build quality is top notch. Been running mine for 1 year with a DC pump. __________________ 72x24x16 115 gallon under construction Current Tank Info: 40 gallon reef

02/24/2018, 05:56 PM	#3
Chocobo Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 93	I ended up ordering the regal 150INT. It’s not recirculating but should fit my setup better and is DC so quieter and more power efficient. Also more control with my apex beyond simply on or off. Now to sell this ESHOPPS S-200...

02/27/2018, 08:34 PM	#4
bigtslape Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: haskell oklahoma Posts: 79	what do you want for the s 200 i have a 150 and could use a bit larger one