Skimmer suggestions please

[debby]

LifeReef has been outperforming other skimmers for decades.

Love my LifeReef skimmer.

 

[mikes686]

For a good price point with quality check out Simplicity. Great customer service as well!

I use a simplicity DC return pump and I love it.

 

[DSC reef]

@madweazl thank you for your input. Deltec was high on my list but available parts/service is a big thing with me. I'm not sold on DC so an AC skimmer is definitely an option.

 

[DSC reef]

I have ran both a reef octopus and a Skimz Sm202. Personally I wished that i would have stayed with the RO as it was always reliable and worked great. My SM202 will not keep its current water level inside the skimmer to save its life. It is on a dedicated pump with a gate valve.

Thank you very much for taking the time. This is the stuff that I like to hear and help make a decision. Real time use from reefers, thanks again.

 

[DSC reef]

@nightowl @mikes686 thank you very much, I totally forgot about simplicity and great customer service is a big plus.

 

[madweazl]

@madweazl thank you for your input. Deltec was high on my list but available parts/service is a big thing with me. I'm not sold on DC so an AC skimmer is definitely an option.

Yea, it is the only flaw in my mind; I keep a spare motor block and impeller on hand now and don't worry about it much but if you need something like yesterday, you're hosed. It's a shame because the skimmer is a workhorse and requires no supervision.

 

[Forsaken77]

I love my Deltec and ended up buying a larger one for the new build as well. Complete disassembly for maintenance or cleaning is done with a single thumb screw. No crazy bubble plates, odd shapes, or other gimmicks; the skimmer just works. With that said, support in the US is abysmal at best; Battlecorals and Marine Depot carry items but my experience with them hasn't been the best. The skimmer for the 150g was ordered on or about 20 Nov 2017 and received 24 Nov 2017. The body was cracked so I contacted the retailer to get it replaced (just the body, everything else was fine). Then I waited, and waited, and waited some more. The replacement arrived 16 Feb 2018; yes, it took almost three months! I would have pushed the issue harder if the tank build was being delayed but that wasn't the case.

The latest design (of the Deltec) will make maintenance a little easier as the down pipe flows better (an obstruction was removed that grew algae/bacteria etc. on the previous models). People can claim brand X is better or worse but if things were tested on an apples to apples basis, I doubt you'd find much difference between many them.

My opinion and I've stated it before, DC skimmers have ZERO realistic value. If the flow rate needs to be adjusted, it was improperly sized for the skimmer or there is another issue in the tank that needs to be addressed. All the DC fans can jump on the comment all you want (don't expect a reply), wont change my mind and I'm sure I wont change your mind but it's a waste of money now and when things need replaced. With the controller, you have an additional point of failure that isn't present with an AC skimmer as well.

With the minor rant out of the way, I've decided to plumb both systems into a common sump and because of that, have also decided to go with LifeReef for the system. I have the space to run an external now as well so that decision was easy (I'll take an external over an internal every time unless I'm constrained for space).

Where did you get your Deltec from? I had the same problem as you, the body arrived cracked. I contacted Marine Depot and had a brand new skimmer in a week and didn't have to return the busted one, pump and everything. They also sent me the one with the neck cleaner. So now I have 2 lids (one with neck cleaner, one without). Only the body was cracked, so now I have an extra pump as well.

The Deltec pumps are also cheap to replace. Marine Depot seems on top of it since they became the distributor in the US, at least in my case. Though they seem to carry more DC models than AC now

 

[Forsaken77]

I'll have to check that out. The 1440, thank you.

I double checked, it's the 1455. But the newer equivalent model on Marine Depot is the 1000ix, and the price went up about $100.

 

[Shooter6]

Might have missed the system total gallons, but if your looking to go big theres thisthis https://sbreeflights.com/protein-skimmers/62-skone-super-kamehameha-proteinskimmer.html never used it as i have a reef octopuss but this looks like a deal.

 

[Gareth elliott]

Came to mind as i just finished cleaning my skimmer,an eshopps x-160. But an adjustable water height skimmer section is definitely on my next tank build.
Built my current sump for my current skimmer but would have gone a little lower after seeing it on this tank. Hindsight [emoji23]

 

[JDowns]

I love my Deltec. Got it from Adam @Battlecorals. I wasn't initially sold on the DC pump either, but the ability to dial in wet or dry with just a button push on the controller is really nice. It's also a very quiet skimmer. Taking it apart to clean is also very simple. The 1000i has no problem keeping up with my 6-8 cubes a day for 21 fish in my 525xl.