Just google "DIY needlewheel impeller" and look at the images that come up. Theres so many options for you! I like the bio-ball one.

Ya, when I was googling for a replacement I also pulled up a bunch of mods involving enkmat(sp?) etc.. I suppose I could go down that route, but at this point I would rather just get a new skimmer. This skimmer also has a clogged air intake. I totally cut the air line and MacGyver'ed a silencer/muffler with a small water bottle. Although I'm pretty sure the water bottle muffler is actually making it noisier. :neutral: If my LFS (Yes, that's you DAVE AT CONCEPT AQUARIUMS) doesn't come through with a new skimmer by the weekend I may give the needle-wheel-Frankenmod the 'ol college try.

LOL. Well I will always vote new skimmer. But hey...you might as well mod the old one to sell it or keep it as a spare. I totally have enough stuff to make two or three different mods. You're welcome to take them if you feel like trying it out.

Thanks! I will keep that in mind. That's a great idea about re-selling the old skimmer.

The Bubble Magus Curve 9 !!
 

Yes, it has arrived ! Or rather it arrived last Friday. And not a moment too soon. I was getting tired of doing 50% water changes..

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2fda5d17.jpg

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps048a9aa4.jpg

This is the entire kit.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...psec4f31ac.jpg

The instructions manual consisted of two printed pages. This diagram and another page with instructions.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps10a76e60.jpg

It looks like pumps have gotten a lot smaller over the years. This pump (supposedly) pushes the same amount of volume as my busted Eheim 1262 that came with my Bubble Magus 220CS, but only half the footprint ! Amazing.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps485d888d.jpg

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...psc1a50bca.jpg

I was curious, so I yanked out the needle wheel to have a look.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps174869f2.jpg

The needles are fairly small compared to what I'm used to (the one that came with my Eheim). It definitely looks like it will slice and dice bubbles real good, but those needles do look fragile. I wonder how long they will last.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps442f2ee7.jpg

And here she is all assembled.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps223f6fdb.jpg

So there's this red cap sorta thingy (it's at the bottom of the above picture). I haven't quite figured out where it goes yet. I can't seem to find it on the instructions manual. If I had to guess, I would guess that it covers the hole at the top of the skimmer cups lid. There is a circular groove on the inside of the lid that seems to fit this red cap thingy, except that it is loose. There is no way it will stay in this groove without glue or silicone. Seems odd.

The intake.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps410ecf0a.jpg

And this right here would be why it is called the "Curve".

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps38bc0bfc.jpg

This wire holder is a really nice touch. My last skimmer didn't have one.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1e6f3ec8.jpg

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps79f76b09.jpg

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...psfdebc111.jpg

Another thing I really like about this new skimmer is the body fasteners. Check out these little doohickies !

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps82a8aec7.jpg

Swing them open like so..

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps29315f27.jpg

.. and voila!

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps07b4c76d.jpg

The skimmer body lifts right off of the base plate! I love that!

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps18d4d77b.jpg

It's quite a tight fit in my skimmer chamber so having that future means much much much much much easier removal of the skimmer for maintenance. Seriously, I put off skimmer maintenance on my last skimmer because it was such a pain to remove the skimmer.

And here is the new and shiny up against the old and busted.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...psbb5ff883.jpg

The new one is slightly taller (maybe a couple of inches). Other than that, it's more or less the same skimmer but with a new pump and a few refinements. I actually like the cup lid on my old skimmer better so I decided to use it instead of the stock cap which has a hold in the middle of it. :noidea:

Cruve 9 on the left with BM220CS lid. BM220CS on the right with Curve 9 lid.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps06b6d8ba.jpg

Time for the vinegar bath.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0370f47e.jpg

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...psed2cf1a9.jpg

While I was at it, I figured I mind as well clean up my biopellet reactor and top it up as well. Here's my setup out of water.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps312d8f32.jpg

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7d524ccd.jpg

mmmm... pellets..

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps42491baf.jpg

And finally, back on-line and back in action ! The Dynamic Duo!

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1b4beaef.jpg

MMmmmm... skimmmsss...

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps66442925.jpg

awesome. you got it.
five us a review in a week

FTS
 

And here is the tank as it sits today.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...psfb6e7a85.jpg

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2a58cd4c.jpg

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...ps235633fe.jpg

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...pse9a7de42.jpg

Wow! beautiful tank!!

enchanting kein.

Lookin damn good