I have had this skimmer for 2 years. It has a Eheim 1260 pump with the modified impeller. After 2 years of use, the needle wheel portion of the impeller spun off of the shaft and separated. This is a failure of the part. I have 3 other Eheim 1260 pumps that have the regular paddle type impeller from Eheim. They have been running the same length of time and are still pumping as well as the day I put them in.
RD Note: The standard paddle impellers that come with he EHEIM pumps are "part" of the impeller assembly and cannot come loose or separate. We have to modify the impeller then glue and press the Pin-Wheel on to the modified part. Since this is a modification and is exposed to intense shearing forces, it is possible that the impeller can come loose though it is very rare. In addition, if this EVER happens, just send it to use and we will repair or replace it for free. We guarantee the impeller (not the magnet, shaft etc, ) for LIFE!
impeller failure 
