Eshopps skimmer review

leducreef · #1 09-30-2009, 05:22 AM

ESHOPPS PSK-100 Skimmer review
Text and Photo my John Horner or Leducreef

Eshopps has brought out a new line of skimmers this year, from hang on models to in sump and also the New higher end cone models .I would consider them to be a mid level skimmer for the budget minded person without sacrificing quality .

Some stats on this skimmer
Model PSK-100
Diameter-4’’
Height-22’’
Footprints (L x W) 10" x 5"
Recommended tank size 100 gal to 150
Price range $140-150

The PSK-100 is on the smaller end of Eshopps line but i chose this model for my frag tank setup, witch is a 40 gal tank with a 20 gal sump this skimmer has one neat feature that I have not seen on to many other skimmers and that is there mesh wheel impeller design . It is kinda like the needle impellers but they have glued a mesh type of material
On it to really cut the water up creating lots of bubbles . This model has no bubble plate like the hang on and cone models I am not sure why that is, but it don’t seem to need it.
After assembling this skimmer and placing In my sump and plugged it in and away it went. The new mesh wheel impeller produces a lot of bubbles .Eshopps recommends that it sit 8 inches of water .After making some adjustments to the flow witch is very easy to adjust, I found that it ran much better in about 9 to 10 inches of water , and after running it for a few days I was finding that I would get about a half a cup of dark skim every day. The cup removes in a flash to dispose of the skim .I also noticed that this skimmer was a lot quieter than some of my other skimmers .
Eshopps recommends the PSK-100 skimmer for up to a 150 gal tank but I think up to a 65 gal Reef and 100 gal fowler is about right . My only beef is with the pump on this skimmer is the intake housing .It is made of a soft plastic and if you remove it to clean the impeller you have to be careful when putting it back on not to break the clips that hold it together they are very weak. In my opinion the Eshopps skimmers put some of the other brands entry level skimmers to shame .you can visit www.eshopps.com for more info .

Pros
Great value for a low price
Well built
Skims well
Small foot print

Cons
Pump intake housing is weak
No drain hole in skim cup
No bubble plate ?
collection cup could be bigger

cuz · #2 10-01-2009, 12:54 AM

probibly wouldn't hurt to post this review in a few more places!!lol...j.k.

leducreef · #3 10-01-2009, 06:05 AM

why do you have to be like that i got asked to post it in a few places

cuz · #4 10-01-2009, 11:57 PM

I know man, i was just teasin!!! When i hit the new posts option your three reviews were all at the top in a row, thought it was a good chuckle!! but i guess not eh!!

leducreef · #5 10-02-2009, 02:28 AM

ya no worries lol

leducreef · #6 11-13-2009, 05:52 AM

so i have been running this skimmer for a few weeks now. and i have some problems
i have noticed
now that i am running it under light ,that this thing produces micro bubbles like mad thats no good

and you just cant get it set so skim at a steady pace i am finding my self always adjusting it . and ave gome home a few times now a the cup is overflowing !
i have also decided that thay are way over rated for there size and been seeing a few getting returned to ken at blue world with many problems such as pumps failing and many with the same problem as me .
i also have been finding out that the hang on ones are worse .
i shure hope the cone skimmers are better

so my big Q for eshopps is how much R&D did you guys put in to them ?
and what is eshopps going to do about it ?

noirsphynx · #7 11-13-2009, 06:07 AM

My pump is really loud

I ran it for two days and could not take it anymore. It's been shut off for weeks and I keep meaning to bring it in to Ken to see if he knows any tricks to make it work right but at this point it's p***ed me off too much trying to figure it out that I almost want to toss it. I also found I was constantly adjusting and with just a "hair" of an adjustment it would seem okay but when I'd check later that day it would be overflowing. Definitely not happy with it and wish I hadn't bought it.

ElGuappo · #8 11-13-2009, 05:33 PM

mine works fine. not too loud. i just added a valve so i could adjust air intake and it seems to have done the trick. as for the micro bubbles i added a larger (diy ) sponge to the outlet. mine is a hob model.

leducreef · #9 11-14-2009, 12:34 AM

Quote:

My pump is really loud I ran it for two days and could not take it anymore. It's been shut off for weeks and I keep meaning to bring it in to Ken to see if he knows any tricks to make it work right but at this point it's p***ed me off to much trying to figure it out that I almost want to toss it.

yep same hear with mine i ave help ken with prob about 5 of them now and i was only able to get one of them running good !
dont toss it lets see what eshopps is going to do about it i talk to ken today about it.

Quote:

mine works fine. not too loud. i just added a valve so i could adjust air intake and it seems to have done the trick. as for the micro bubbles i added a larger (diy ) sponge to the outlet. mine is a hob model.

thay seem to be hit and miss but frome what i have seen 4 out of five don't work
i would love to see a pic of what you did to yours ?

ElGuappo · #10 11-14-2009, 12:37 AM

check my bedroom tank build thread there are some pics of it in there. not really of the skimmer but you can see the larger (more pourus) sponge i added. the valve is just on a small piece of hose on inlet of the silencer.