Never Trust a RIO Pump!

[Doug]

Its hard to get needle wheel in those models Mike. I dont believe Eheim makes one anymore, because there was to much cavitation at start up. I had to blow in mine, every time I restarted.

There is a replacement needle wheel pump made for Turbofloaters. I dont recall the name at the moment, but have seen them on US sites. I can find it if you wish Brian.

I would not worry that much about running your skimmer. Its a new pump, should be fine for now. I never lost any livestock when mine fried.