thinking I'm going back to downdraft

[jrmx635]

is it me or are these needlewheel pumps not very reliable.
remember when etss skimmers and Iwaki's or gen-x pumps ran without any worries or tinkering.
I've had so many skimmers I can't count them all.
never had failures till needlewheels.
so frustrated with my impellers and the customer support with all these cheaply made pumps these days
makes me think etss 800 with my gen-x is soon to be

 

[JohnK]

I think it's kind of like comparing a big cummings diesel to a turbo 4 cyl gas engine. The diesel never dies, but.....

 

[cilyjr]

I think it's kind of like comparing a big cummings diesel to a turbo 4 cyl gas engine. The diesel never dies, but.....

I like the comparison...

I have been running a asm g3 since 2010 continually. It's a needle wheel. Granted I've modded it but I have not touched the actual pump.

 

[ro_nicu]

there's more to go wrong in a needlewheel or pinwheel pump than a regular water pump, the impeller itself is more flimsy by design, there's less water running through to cool things down, and, most og these pumps are not a dedicated design but modified water pumps. they do consume much less electricity though.

 

[jrmx635]

I had a g3,I think the sedra pumps are pretty reliable.
I keep having impellers seperate on my buuble blaster 3000.
it's so frustrating.it took them almost a month to ship me the last impeller and it lasted 2-3 weeks and all by itself seperated again.
now I am shipping the whole pump to them so it's gonna be another 2 weeks it's down.
hopefully they will just give me another pump.
my buddie has a red dragon that has a bad motorblock,not good for a pump that costs as much as most good skimmers.
he ended up buying another skimmer.

 

[stingythingy45]

I have a G3 with a Sedra on it and it's been rock solid.(knock on wood)
It has the recirc mod done on it and it really pulls a lot of skimmate.

 

[saltwaterB]

That is odd, with your Bubble blaster??? I have been running them for about 4-5 years and can't say enough good about them???? I have had only one out at least 8 I use have an issue and that was one of the older ones that had a swelling issue when they first cam out. since then no problem??? But of course it can happen it is a motor that is in salt water.

I do love me a HUGE ETSS...but with the costs of running them...I just could not do it. I get such good skimming from these needlewheel pumps, that I can not justify the cost difference. Now maybe on a smaller unit, yes....but who wants a small downdraft... lol

 

[P-Nut]

Go skimmerless.