My apologies, I had not seen the email related to this thread until today. The "oil" is a 20% glycerin solution used for a bench test of every pump we make, it is non toxic and only 5ml (1ml of glycerin) are added to every pump. We have done it this way since the 80's.
The crack in the pump should not have occured, I am happy to replace the pump, the prize products are just pulled from regular stock and are not picked out as "blems" to give away.
BTW, it will skim on the wet side, you should close the air as needed to collect a skimmate about the color of strong iced tea.
No worries, its working great after I used some super glue to fix the crack... I do think I over reacted a bit, and posted on the video that I was able to fix it... I am deleting the video rather than leaving it up. Glad to know about the glycerin. been running a low salinity high vinegar water through it for about two weeks now. its actaully skimming! and tehre wasn't anything in the water to skim! Im impressed. Actually worried that my flame scallop will not get enough to eat once I hook this thing up!