It's been recommended in places, such as with BRS TV, that it's not a bad idea to have a backup pump for one's skimmer. For instance, I use a Reef Octopus Regal 200SSS, which uses a VarioS-4S, which is the same pump as the VarioS-4, but with a different impeller. I can either buy an extra pump for $300, or an impeller for $30.
An area in which I consult (management consulting) is business continuity and disaster recovery. From that perspective, having a backup makes sense. For my example, BRS doesn't carry skimmer impellers or the VarioS-4S. I'd need to order either from Coralvue or private Amazon retailers with non-Prime shipping.
However, is a skimmer critical? Well, for me, I do use it to draw air from outside my high rise home (I have an airline discretely (?) hidden along the walls, with a booster pump along the way; the air passes thru two BRS CO2 scrubbers and an ozone generator before entering the skimmer. In terms of maintaining air quality and pH, it's fairly important, though not mission critical.
Is it a good idea to you? Who's doing it? What does the R2R community think?
An area in which I consult (management consulting) is business continuity and disaster recovery. From that perspective, having a backup makes sense. For my example, BRS doesn't carry skimmer impellers or the VarioS-4S. I'd need to order either from Coralvue or private Amazon retailers with non-Prime shipping.
However, is a skimmer critical? Well, for me, I do use it to draw air from outside my high rise home (I have an airline discretely (?) hidden along the walls, with a booster pump along the way; the air passes thru two BRS CO2 scrubbers and an ozone generator before entering the skimmer. In terms of maintaining air quality and pH, it's fairly important, though not mission critical.
Is it a good idea to you? Who's doing it? What does the R2R community think?