Rebuilding custom euro reef skimmer

[Cjud7982]

So I was helping my lfs today with their new saltwater setup and saw this old skimmer sitting in the back room that they thought was junk and not worth rebuilding because it is missing pumps and stuff. So I worked out a deal to get this bad boy for essentially free. It looks like it needs a primary pump to get water into it, then dual recirculating pumps. The previous owner glued all the parts together except the fittings inside of it so I can start over from scratch with the plumbing, just don't know where to get new air venturies. I do have the 2 recurculating pump impeller covers still attached to the plumbing so that's good. I think they use an eheim pump, not sure which size but looks similar to a 1260 I have. I would like to try and get this thing going!!! It would be way more skimmer than what I would need (180 medium stocked). And I am assuming it can only be used as an in sump skimmer.

If any one has some information or can help me figure out if this is worth rebuilding, or any sort of input, I would really appreciate it.

If I get it working, would it be way too big and not efficient for my current tank? I know it dwarfs any skimmers that are rated for this tank size. I am assuming it was at one time used to skim a bank of display tanks at some lfs.

 

[Cjud7982]

My 1260 fit right in place, so the recirculating pumps should be needle wheel as well right?

 

[Cjud7982]

Now I gotta go buy at least one more 1260 and figure out what to use as a primary pump, maybe a varios 8?

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Check out AquariumSource they sell Eheim skimmer pumps, you will need to sit down for that.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Nice. Maybe a bit large for youe needs but a good skimmer. The pumps will be fine with normal impellars but a mesh or NW would be better. A DC pump would be great so you can dial in the supply flow. Looks similar to the RC350.

 

[Cjud7982]

Wow you aren't kidding about the price of the protein skimmer versions being pricey.
I am now struggling to find out what size unions they used... Ugh it is one inch piping but the outlet of the pump is 3/4". So they must have made a custom union or something? I see that aquatisolutions sells an outlet adapter that apparently you glue on to the pump body outlet. That seems pretty sketchy to me

And that's sort of what I was thinking with a DC pump, add a bit more controllability to it.

You guys think it's worth throwing some fairly expensive pumps at it to get it working? Idk why they went out of business, are the new skimmers a lot better, or were they just too small of an operation?

 

[joseserrano]

You need the Eheim skimmer version pumps/impellers. This skimmer can be run internal or external, and you would not need a huge pump to feed it. Probably 3-500 gph. Way to big for your 180 though.

 

[joseserrano]

You need the Eheim skimmer version pumps/impellers. This skimmer can be run internal or external, and you would not need a huge pump to feed it. Probably 3-500 gph. Way to big for your 180 though.

 

[Cjud7982]

So after doing some research I found out the output of the eheim is a British straight pipe thread but 3/4 npt will work with some Teflon tape. I picked up a new slip 1 inch union, a 1 inch to 3/4 female thread adapter, and a 3/4 inch close threaded nipple. I think this will work for the recirculating pumps. .

I was also thinking about the input feed to it. Do you guys see any reason why I can't run it externally and be fed off of my return pump through my manifold I built in to my return circuit? I have a varios 8 running at level 2, so I am certain it has enough power to flow it. Just need to make sure it won't overflow if the return pump shuts off. I guess the return line just has to be higher than my Max full level of my sump, is that correct?

 

[jda]

Do not trust one of those outside of the sump... the uniseals are not made to last for long, but they can do quite well if they can drip a few drips a day.

That ER probably came with Sedra Pumps. You can still buy them. Do you know the model number of the skimmer? Is it on the body anywhere?

 

[Cjud7982]

Thanks for the advise on the uniseals. I have only used them on my mixing station 55 gallon drums before. They seem to work well but can certainly see how they can dribble. If I get it running and choose to use it, I may get a new sump to accommodate it, or run it exertnaly with a tray or something under it in case of dribbling.

And I was reading that most of them came with the sedra pumps, bit see most of the custom ones using 1262 eheim needle wheels...

The only model number I can find is the little sticker saying 050407-rc12x24-2xspe5rc-001 custom made for lost reef. I am assuming the 2xspe5 is the two recirculating pumps and the spe5 is what pumps were used. From research some say this is synomonous with the eheim 1200 series pumps, but I haven't been able to confirm this

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

As much as I love having a nice Euro Reef skimmer, that model is to big for your tank, ER skimmers should not be oversized especially major overkill. Your tank could use the 180 or 250 model both 8" bodies. I have an older model CS 180 and it was too big for my 120 gallon tank. I could never get a cup of skimmate in it. It would just lace skimmate in it. I put my ER CS/80 on it and I would have to dump the cup every 9 hours, same tank just two different ER skimmers.

With 3 Eheim skimmer pumps you will not need to have a heater in that tank.

 

[Cjud7982]

Thank you for your experience with Er skimmers. I know that this thing is waaaay overkill for my tank. I didn't know if it would work at all. I didn't even think I would have enough waste in my tank to keep a decent head of foam.
However, I didn't want to see this thing go on the garbage, so I am trying to get it going again, test it out on my tank to make sure they're are no problems, throw it in storage or maybe sell it/barter it.