red sea c-skim 1200 skimmer

Going to be updating skimmer soon because mine is old and was wondering if anyone has a red sea c-skim 1200 skimmer and if it does the job? Was going to get an aqua-c ev180 but was considering the c-skim 1200 too.

 

The one member I recall having one has info and pics here:
http://www.3reef.com/forums/show-of...-advanced-complexity-reef-aquarium-58940.html

 

Thanks for the info, it looks good. Anyone else have one??? Anyone have any problems with this skimmer?

 

I run one on my 155. It does great! It was pulling stuff within 48 hours. The cup area is large, so, less frequent emptying. I did have to clean it out once, there was water coming out of the air intake hole!! But, I cleaned off the motor needle wheel with a fingernail brush, and its back to great again. The neck washing system is great too!

 

Great, I will be getting one. I have had several crappy skimmers in the past and don't want to make another mistake. My tank is 150 gallons so should do just fine.

 

I have the C-shim 1200 and have had multiple problems with the aspiration pump. I was excited about this skimmer when I got it in January (have a 90 gallon reef tank with 20 gallon sump). It skims like crazy and is easy to empty/maintain.

About a month into use, the aspiration pump stopped. After days of trying to restart, cleaning, etc, I got in touch with someone at Red Sea. They were not at all surprised by what I described. Apparently a plastic ring on the impeller has a ridge that make ridges develop inside the pump which makes it overheat and stop working. They sent me a new aspiration pump (but took more than a week) and the impeller was redesigned to have a recessed plastic ring. Anyway, it started right up and has been skimming very well for a few months.

Now the new one has stopped working, too. Just before it stopped I heard what sounded like something hitting inside the pump. The plastic ring on the impeller has started to breakdown (I found small plastic slivers inside). I am completely fed up with this skimmer. For $400 I was expecting something great....this has been a huge stress! I will try to get Red sea to send a 3rd aspiration pump but I am going to also get another skimmer. When it works this skimmer is great, but it isn't worth the hassle of risking another breakdown after only 5 months use.

 

Thanks. I thought it was just me. I have sent numerous e-mails with pictures and even a movie file showing the water coming out of the air intake. I have not heard from them in over a week. I currently have an air pump hooked into the air intake and it works alright.
I too am fed up with this thing and the service I am getting with Red Sea. I should have just bought an Octopus one from the start.
I have a Coral life 65 helping right now, and I have to empty it 2x a day of what the Red Sea is not getting.