Breathing new life into an old Euroreef skimmer

five.five-six

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#1
The impeller on my eheim pump for my euroreef skimmer is on its last legs. Ive known this for some time and its held together with superglue and jb weld

A replacement impeller is $140.. for a 15 year old pump

My next option was to buy a new skimmer pump, I like the Varios-6S for $350

Another option I had been toying with was to modify a cheep jebao and then I saw a thread about someone who did it on another forum $90 shipped

The jebao showed up today DCP-6500 DC controllable rated at 6500 L/hr

First I had to remove the impeller from the shaft



Next I made a new disk from some scrap acrylic



Next I scribed the keyed shaft hole



Made the correct hole with files




Attached ecomatt



Next I had to make a Venturi. I drilled 1/4 holes in this jebao supplied 1/2 barb adapter. The 1/2 didnt work so hot so I ended up using the supplied 3/4 adapter and that was much better





So how does it work? Well at first I was like meh, works about the same as the eheim I replaces and with all the great things some people say about jebao and the fact that it was rated for over twice the output as the ehime I was somewhat dissapointed but at least I have the eheim for a spare when this one catches fire




Then I looked at the collection cup 1 hr later and the foam is amazing, its like whipped cream or cotton candy. Ive never seen anything like it.

I know the photo sucks but you hold a flashlight one hand dont drop the iPad in the sump take a picture do better.

 
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#4
Why not just dremel off the fins of the stock impellor and add ecomat to it?
 

five.five-six

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#7
Well, it’s been running for over a year and a half now and it runs like a champ..(comes home this evening to a home burnt down by jebao pump). I have considered replacing the skimmer but not seriously considered though. I just think it’s pimp to be running an 11 year old skimmer :D. I may replace this pump at some point with a varios 4S but for now it makes lots os stinky goo. I have a 13” vlamingi, 9” clown tang, Scopas tang and a school of 5 yellow tangs and they eat a lot. Nitrates are right around 5-10PPM which is where I want them Life is good.
 

djrice69

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#8
Well, it’s been running for over a year and a half now and it runs like a champ..(comes home this evening to a home burnt down by jebao pump). I have considered replacing the skimmer but not seriously considered though. I just think it’s pimp to be running an 11 year old skimmer :D. I may replace this pump at some point with a varios 4S but for now it makes lots os stinky goo. I have a 13” vlamingi, 9” clown tang, Scopas tang and a school of 5 yellow tangs and they eat a lot. Nitrates are right around 5-10PPM which is where I want them Life is good.
Do replace the pump unless you want to come to a bon fire. I’ll bring the marshmallows
 

five.five-six

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#17
this pump was supposed to last 1 year while I decide what to do. 5 years later it's making noise and I'm just going to replace it :D
 

five.five-six

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#18
New pump in, using my same old impeller with a fresh mesh mod. Running silent again :)

one thing is that I used ty-wrap brand zip ties the have a stainless steel tang. I’m wondering if that will be a problem.
 

five.five-six

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#19
Well, the now pump is doing a significantly better job of pulling gunk than ever before. I’ve had this Schiller what? 6 years? I’ve had to turn the power tor the pump down from 90%to 80% and it still works better than the old pump ever did.
 

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