Rlss DB8i skimmer reveiw

BlondNasoTang · #1 03-01-2016, 07:42 AM

I recently upgraded my skimmer on my 90gal reef (120gal total system) and thought I would give a quick review of my Reef Life Support Systems DB8I internal skimmer.

-The Build/fit and finish-

The build quality is quite good, seems like high quality materials, thick and robust components, titanium screws overall appears to be well designed and built.

-Functionality-

The collection cup uses a twist to lock feature so minimal clearences are needed to be removed (less then 1") The adjustment of the water level is easy with the screw type adjustment wheel where many full rotations of the adjustment knob are required to change internal water hight makes for easy fine tunning.

-Performance-

The skimmer seems to be very effective so far as it is pulling nasty crap out of the water after only 5 days of operation. Having the variable speed dc pump hooked up to my apex adds the ability to add or diminish how much air is mix with the water by controling the speed of the pump which is a good feature to avoid over skimming using a ORP probe. (Still in the testing phase with this idea)

Overall I am very happy with this skimmer so far and I will update as more time passes.
Cheers.

fixerupper · #2 03-01-2016, 12:02 PM

Nice review.

I own an earlier version of this skimmer for 2.5 years and it worked as you say for about 1.5 yrs. It pulls awesome skimmate, quality built, easy to adjust and silent.

The weak link is the absolute garbage Waveline motor they pair these with. My first motor failed, then when my backup motor failed I swapped out my DC5000 block (same pump-different impeller) from my return pump and put in the skimmer impeller. That worked for about 2 months until yup that too failed. All the while I was attempting (without success) to get a response from the manufacturer for assistance.

Hopefully they've worked the bugs out and your awesome skimmer will remain awesome. 3 motors later I now have an expensive paperweight and STILL no response from RLSS.

BlondNasoTang · #3 03-01-2016, 04:14 PM

I have read about the poor customer service also, its unfortunate as this is a Canadian company. Mine came with the new waveline dc6000 pump hopefully it will not share the same fate as I read its the controller that fails not the pump and I am using my apex as the controller.
https://reefbuilders.com/2015/09/09/...tein-skimmers/

FishyFishy! · #4 03-01-2016, 07:06 PM

Great skimmers at the time. Unfortunately if you break anything you're out of luck. Worst customer service out there in my opinion. Im extremely surprised they are still in business.

fixerupper · #5 03-01-2016, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlondNasoTang

I have read about the poor customer service also, its unfortunate as this is a Canadian company. Mine came with the new waveline dc6000 pump hopefully it will not share the same fate as I read its the controller that fails not the pump and I am using my apex as the controller.
https://reefbuilders.com/2015/09/09/...tein-skimmers/

Yeah, I've heard it's the controllers too but that hasn't been my experience.
When the pumps stopped the easiest thing (to stay dry) was for me to swap the controller first. When the swap did not work I tried switching the impeller or body. That worked right up until the last swap when I ran out of new parts to try. It's possible the controllers became so weak that a fresh impeller or body had slightly less resistance and that's what allowed them to run for a bit longer.

Maybe it's time to hook those old controllers up to a decent multimeter and take some measurements.