Deltec Skimmers Seem Very Cheaply Made

[Forsaken77]

I had ordered a Deltec 1455 on Black Friday week and the body came cracked, with the water level adjustment pipe broken right off the skimmer, leaving a hole in the body.

Marine Depot was excellent in getting it replaced because it ships directly from Deltec in Kansas.

The new one came and it looks used, or they test them. Because I can see a water line they didn't completely wipe away. Anyhow, I'm grateful because they shipped me a complete skimmer, meaning I have an extra pump and cup.

However, the skimmer seems really cheap, like worse than AquaMaxx. There's nothing holding the body down to the base. It just sits in a groove and there's a red screw that sticks into the back of the water level pipe to keep the body down. It's a very thin plastic, not acrylic. And there's no bubble plate or anything to reduce turbulence.

Maybe I'm nit picking, but I hope I made the right choice. I can easily see that tiny red screw breaking when lifting the skimmer out of the sump because that's the only thing holding it together. The screw doesn't even screw into the body, it just sticks into a hole so the body can't move up.

Were Deltecs always made this flimsy? I thought they were supposed to be a great skimmer. It just makes me nervous because I can't test it out yet and I'm getting buyers remorse looking at the quality of the skimmer.

 

[Brew12]

I had ordered a Deltec 1455 on Black Friday week and the body came cracked, with the water level adjustment pipe broken right off the skimmer, leaving a hole in the body.

Marine Depot was excellent in getting it replaced because it ships directly from Deltec in Kansas.

The new one came and it looks used, or they test them. Because I can see a water line they didn't completely wipe away. Anyhow, I'm grateful because they shipped me a complete skimmer, meaning I have an extra pump and cup.

However, the skimmer seems really cheap, like worse than AquaMaxx. There's nothing holding the body down to the base. It just sits in a groove and there's a red screw that sticks into the back of the water level pipe to keep the body down. It's a very thin plastic, not acrylic. And there's no bubble plate or anything to reduce turbulence.

Maybe I'm nit picking, but I hope I made the right choice. I can easily see that tiny red screw breaking when lifting the skimmer out of the sump because that's the only thing holding it together. The screw doesn't even screw into the body, it just sticks into a hole so the body can't move up.

Were Deltecs always made this flimsy? I thought they were supposed to be a great skimmer. It just makes me nervous because I can't test it out yet and I'm getting buyers remorse looking at the quality of the skimmer.

That is interesting. I just picked up a Deltec SCA 1660 on Black Friday and I love it. Much better than the Aquamaxx or Bubble Magus that I have previously used.

I do agree with the red screw securing the base. Not sure why they felt the need for it to be a quick release setup. Its not like there is any reason to just leave the base plate in the sump.

I can tell you that despite not having a bubble plate it was much easier to dial in than my previous skimmers and started pulling an amazing amount of gunk out.

 

[Forsaken77]

That is interesting. I just picked up a Deltec SCA 1660 on Black Friday and I love it. Much better than the Aquamaxx or Bubble Magus that I have previously used.

I do agree with the red screw securing the base. Not sure why they felt the need for it to be a quick release setup. Its not like there is any reason to just leave the base plate in the sump.

I can tell you that despite not having a bubble plate it was much easier to dial in than my previous skimmers and started pulling an amazing amount of gunk out.

I thought the 1660 has a bubble plate, or a small little nozzle that goes on the top of the pump? The 1455 doesn't even have that. It's just an open pump with no attachment.

That red screw is the 3rd revision to that part of the skimmer. It was first a knob that actually screwed into the pipe but kept breaking, then they added a wing nut, now it's the red screw that doesn't "screw" into anything, lol. That's what I mean about the build quality. This is your third revision of that piece and that screw is the best you can do? It's essentially like sticking a toothpick through the hole to hold the body on, lol. I think they do mean for you to leave the base in the sump. After taking off the red screw & body, you just slide the pump forwards to detach it. So I think they mean for the base to stay. Because lifting the whole skimmer up by just that screw will snap it quickly.

Maybe they have it down to a science. I'm just going by build quality and the super simplicity since the tank isn't up yet and I've no way to check it.

What size tank is yours on? I got the 1455 for a 180 because I read that Deltec sizes their skimmers accordingly, though I was initially considering the 1660. I just didn't want to oversize too much and not get good skim.

 

[Brew12]

I thought the 1660 has a bubble plate, or a small little nozzle that goes on the top of the pump? The 1455 doesn't even have that. It's just an open pump with no attachment.

That red screw is the 3rd revision to that part of the skimmer. It was first a knob that actually screwed into the pipe but kept breaking, then they added a wing nut, now it's the red screw that doesn't "screw" into anything, lol. That's what I mean about the build quality. This is your third revision of that piece and that screw is the best you can do? It's essentially like sticking a toothpick through the hole to hold the body on, lol. I think they do mean for you to leave the base in the sump. After taking off the red screw & body, you just slide the pump forwards to detach it. So I think they mean for the base to stay. Because lifting the whole skimmer up by just that screw will snap it quickly.

Maybe they have it down to a science. I'm just going by build quality and the super simplicity since the tank isn't up yet and I've no way to check it.

What size tank is yours on? I got the 1455 for a 180 because I read that Deltec sizes their skimmers accordingly, though I was initially considering the 1660. I just didn't want to oversize too much and not get good skim.

Yes, the 1660 does have a nozzle. I wasn't aware that the 1455 didn't. I'm also wondering if they use thicker acrylic and plastic for their build on the 1660. Nothing about it other than the little red screw said cheap to me.

I have a 187g and I almost went with the 1455 but I tend to.. umm... spoil my fish?

 

[ksfulk]

I have a 1456 (1455 but DC pump) and I love the thumbscrew release. It allows me to remove the skimmer for cleaning without having to take the cord/pump out of the sump, since it winds out through the side of my stand into the "dry" side. Its pretty handy. Adam (@Battlecorals ) sent me an additional thumbscrew to replace the factory one, as they are a bit prone to breaking, so he said. My original is still in the skimmer after 16 months with no issue and monthly cleaning. There is no bubble plate at all on the 1455/56, but that doesnt stop it from being a beast. Ive had Vertex skimmers and other "higher" quality skimmer, but none have worked as well as this one. These pictures are from the skimmer dropped into the sump and running for 17 days from when the tank was went.

 

[mtraylor]

I just watched the video at marinedepot. The skimmer features look pretty cool. Easy to maintain it seems. Looks like a really nice skimmer to me. I have never owned one though. Personally I would not buy a skimmer with that thin plastic stuff...only because I"m sure I would drop it sooner or later and break it. I always find one that has solid body. Just be careful with it while trying to take out of the sump for cleaning.

 

[madweazl]

I absolutely love the thumbscrew design because it is ultra simple to disassemble. The volute on the input of the pump also holds the body in place. I've been running a 1350 on my 75g for about a year and a half now without issue. I recently picked up a 1455 for the 150g and like the original post, mine was cracked in the exact same place (havent received a replacement yet). Their packaging obviously needs some work but outside of that, I have nothing bad to say (now that things are more readily available in the states anyways).

Edit: you can pull the entire skimmer out of the sump without issue (I do it monthly for a complete tear down and clean).

Best I can tell, the volute is getting pushed into the motor block somehow and that pushes back on the output tube, resulting in the damage.

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[Forsaken77]

I have a 1456 (1455 but DC pump) and I love the thumbscrew release. It allows me to remove the skimmer for cleaning without having to take the cord/pump out of the sump, since it winds out through the side of my stand into the "dry" side. Its pretty handy. Adam (@Battlecorals ) sent me an additional thumbscrew to replace the factory one, as they are a bit prone to breaking, so he said. My original is still in the skimmer after 16 months with no issue and monthly cleaning. There is no bubble plate at all on the 1455/56, but that doesnt stop it from being a beast. Ive had Vertex skimmers and other "higher" quality skimmer, but none have worked as well as this one. These pictures are from the skimmer dropped into the sump and running for 17 days from when the tank was went.

Where does the water exit the skimmer? Is it where the red screw goes in? I haven't had a chance to look it over.

 

[Brew12]

Where does the water exit the skimmer? Is it where the red screw goes in? I haven't had a chance to look it over.

Yup, that is the exit port that controls water height.

 

[Forsaken77]

I have a 1456 (1455 but DC pump) and I love the thumbscrew release. It allows me to remove the skimmer for cleaning without having to take the cord/pump out of the sump, since it winds out through the side of my stand into the "dry" side. Its pretty handy. Adam (@Battlecorals ) sent me an additional thumbscrew to replace the factory one, as they are a bit prone to breaking, so he said. My original is still in the skimmer after 16 months with no issue and monthly cleaning. There is no bubble plate at all on the 1455/56, but that doesnt stop it from being a beast. Ive had Vertex skimmers and other "higher" quality skimmer, but none have worked as well as this one. These pictures are from the skimmer dropped into the sump and running for 17 days from when the tank was went.

Is there anything I should know, being there's no instructions, so I don't damage the skimmer? Like does the silencer get pushed all the way down through the hole off the body, or do you just push it snug? I realized that only one side of the silencer comes off, so that would be on top obviously.

The best water depth? I mean you have the dc version and I the ac, but what is your optimal depth?

Is it best to leave the air valve fully open?

 

[madweazl]

Mine came with a manual in the skimmer body. 5.5-9.5" is the recommended depth.

 

[madweazl]

Is there anything I should know, being there's no instructions, so I don't damage the skimmer? Like does the silencer get pushed all the way down through the hole off the body, or do you just push it snug? I realized that only one side of the silencer comes off, so that would be on top obviously.

The best water depth? I mean you have the dc version and I the ac, but what is your optimal depth?

Is it best to leave the air valve fully open?

What air valve?

 

[Forsaken77]

What air valve?

On the air line that goes from the silencer to the pump, there is an inline air valve. Maybe this is a new addition, or just on the ac model?

 

[Forsaken77]

Mine came with a manual in the skimmer body. 5.5-9.5" is the recommended depth.

I know the recommended depth. I was asking if you found a sweet spot.

 

[ksfulk]

Is there anything I should know, being there's no instructions, so I don't damage the skimmer? Like does the silencer get pushed all the way down through the hole off the body, or do you just push it snug? I realized that only one side of the silencer comes off, so that would be on top obviously.

The best water depth? I mean you have the dc version and I the ac, but what is your optimal depth?

Is it best to leave the air valve fully open?

My silencer is just set into the hole, I dont smash it down or anything. As for the water depth - I think its sitting in 7.5 -8", Im not sure. I just put the skimmer in and plugged it in. I turned the skimmer valve until the foam column was just in the neck at an idle. I havent turned down my pump or anything, I havent throttled back the DC pump or plugged the air line at all (Mine doesnt have a airline valve at all). Literally just plug in and adjusted it once, aside from cleaning it monthly, I dont mess with anything for 16+ months. Dont overthink it

 

[Forsaken77]

My silencer is just set into the hole, I dont smash it down or anything. As for the water depth - I think its sitting in 7.5 -8", Im not sure. I just put the skimmer in and plugged it in. I turned the skimmer valve until the foam column was just in the neck at an idle. I havent turned down my pump or anything, I havent throttled back the DC pump or plugged the air line at all (Mine doesnt have a airline valve at all). Literally just plug in and adjusted it once, aside from cleaning it monthly, I dont mess with anything for 16+ months. Dont overthink it

Do you have the version with the manual neck cleaner? I ordered the regular model (that arrived shattered) and got sent the one with the neck cleaner. So I have both lids, which is cool. Just wondering if it works well. Adam at BC's said it's not worth the extra money.

I'm just leary because I can see the skimmer's been used before and can't test it yet.

 

[madweazl]

I know the recommended depth. I was asking if you found a sweet spot.

I didn't mess around with the 1350, I set it at 8" depth and it worked great from day one. The 1455 has the same recommended depth so I'll start at same point; they aren't finicky at all. Once set, you'll rarely have to mess with it. Keeping the water level of the output tube between the lid of the body and the collar for the collection cup works fantastic.

 

[sebastiaan1985]

Running a 1456 on my setup and are happy with it, very easy to disassemble and maintain.
Currently am having some issues with keeping it dialled in, but that is an issue of my sump with one of the baffles coming loose..

Great benefit of the DC-pump is that there is an additional way to dial it in.
Owned another Deltec before and really love the quiet operation and in my experience they are solid, prefer the build quality over my previous Tunze skimmer.

 

[Fritzhamer]

I came from a Bubble King to my Deltec. It’s the third Deltec I’ve owned and they aren’t made as well as they used to be. That being said they are less than half the price of what they used to be! I prefer the way they are now. The red screw is great! My bubbleking required a foot long flathead mechanics screwdriver to disassemble and it took some time to do. My Deltec can be field stripped in about five seconds with just my hands. I think it’s a great design. Performance wise it’s equal to if not better than my BubbleKing was. Exactly what I’ve come to expect from Deltec.

 

[delv2323]

Where is the pump made? What about the body? Haven't had a Deltec since an AP702 which was all German made I think...