How to improve your Sicce PSK1000!

[willray]

I have an octo extreme 200 skimmer with a the sicce psk1000 and have the upgraded needle wheel from Premium Aquatics,while it works well it did have the occasional noises that were always a pest and of course the start up issues that happened about 1in 5 starts.
Recently (2 months ago) I turned the pump upside down so the venturi is pointing up and voila...minimal noise, hard to tell it even running AND I had to close the gate valve ...a lot.... so now way more foam in the tower and less bubbles exiting so it's skimming better than ever...like I had always hoped for AND for the best one yet... NO start up issues...so far!

 

[MisFit]

good luck with it. After burning up 2 of the psk2500's on my octo 300 I gave up and replaced one of the busted psks with a bubble blaster 3000, while keeping one working psks on the other side. I did have to reduce the pump output from 1" to 3/4 to adapt it to the skimmer but it was HUGE difference. ! If you have any more issues I would look into the bubble blasters. Not sure which model is comparable to the psk1000 though.

 

[Jocko]

Interesting... I know you said you have to dial it down quite a bit. Have you noticed any changes in the overall performance since then?

 

[willray]

Yes! It is skimming much better... more nog and its darker also the sludge builds on the neck way faster than it did before.

 

[Jocko]

Ok I definitely have to remember to try this! About how much depth do you have your skimmer at? Or I guess more specifically how far underwater is the plastic venturi piece when you have the pump in that position?

 

[willray]

About 2" from the surface.

 

[Jocko]

I must need a new impeller or something. I couldn't get it to start when the pump was upside down.

 

[willray]

That stinks.Whenever that pump gives me a hard time I have realized it's time for a vinegar bath....weather it looks like it needs it or not and then it works fine again. Jocko, are you using the stock impeller?

 

[Jocko]

I don't think it's the stock Sicce one. It's a yellow needle-wheel one that came with the skimmer. I tried mesh mod but could never get the thing to start. It is one finicky beast. I've cleaned every inch of the impeller and pump trying to get it to start more reliably.

 

[willray]

Premiumaquatics sells one (needlewheel)that has minumal issues.