Yeah, Rio's are definitely underated. Not the quietest pump out there, but I've never had a problem with one firing up. You're right too... they do quiet down a great deal after a nice slime coat builds up around the magnet.
For the skimmer... If that pump doesn't quiet down for you (to your OCD standards ) you can easily modify it to take an Askoll 1500 pump. I've done it many times in the past. Just have to get creative with plumbers tape and/or fittings. I love my SWC 230 cone just because of the pump and air management. My SRO2000XPint didn't have that option. Plus, it was significantly louder than my SWC (I'm OCD too). A huge plus is the Askoll/Laguna 1500 is very quiet.. oh, and pretty cheap (if you do it right). I like SWC's volute design and it's interchangeable with the commonly sold Ebay Laguna's. I have a backup Laguna, and was thinking of using it as a return. It's tons more torquey than my current QuietOne 4000.
Bah... Don't want to steal your glory here. The ATB is a solidly constructed unit. Sometimes these skimmer builders cheap out on pumps, sometimes they cheap out on the skimmer body. The pump is everything, but nothing perturbs me more than a cracked skimmer housing. You shouldn't have that problem with the skimmer you have. Not for a long time, any way.
If it's any conciliation to you, the SRO I had had a very cheap body to it. I mean, it was very thin! Customer support and the pump was solid, but I think you made the better choice given the options you presented. With your skills, I feel safe in saying this to you... Pumps are interchangeable. Skimmer bodies/designs are not.
EDIT: I OWN page 11! Woot!
For the skimmer... If that pump doesn't quiet down for you (to your OCD standards ) you can easily modify it to take an Askoll 1500 pump. I've done it many times in the past. Just have to get creative with plumbers tape and/or fittings. I love my SWC 230 cone just because of the pump and air management. My SRO2000XPint didn't have that option. Plus, it was significantly louder than my SWC (I'm OCD too). A huge plus is the Askoll/Laguna 1500 is very quiet.. oh, and pretty cheap (if you do it right). I like SWC's volute design and it's interchangeable with the commonly sold Ebay Laguna's. I have a backup Laguna, and was thinking of using it as a return. It's tons more torquey than my current QuietOne 4000.
Bah... Don't want to steal your glory here. The ATB is a solidly constructed unit. Sometimes these skimmer builders cheap out on pumps, sometimes they cheap out on the skimmer body. The pump is everything, but nothing perturbs me more than a cracked skimmer housing. You shouldn't have that problem with the skimmer you have. Not for a long time, any way.
If it's any conciliation to you, the SRO I had had a very cheap body to it. I mean, it was very thin! Customer support and the pump was solid, but I think you made the better choice given the options you presented. With your skills, I feel safe in saying this to you... Pumps are interchangeable. Skimmer bodies/designs are not.
EDIT: I OWN page 11! Woot!