Deltec vs Octopus?

[nikonosis]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6746892#post6746892 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tacocat
Yup, I bought an ASM G-3. I sold it without using it. The build quality ws poor. Build quality matters very little until it breaks. An ASM is subject to catastrophic destruction if dropped. A cast acrylic skimmer would probably just crack.

I'm not crazy about the idea of having my skimmer down for a few day/weeks if I accidently dropped the skimmer cup during routine cleaning.

I always wondered:

If ASM knows how to recirc their skimmers and it is a good mod, then why don't they sell them manufactured as recirculating skimmers to begin with?

You could always buy a couple extra skimmer cups in case you do drop one... and why is there so many people on these forums carrying their skimmers around and worry about them breaking if they drop them?

 

[dhnguyen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6746947#post6746947 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nikonosis
... and why is there so many people on these forums carrying their skimmers around and worry about them breaking if they drop them?

A very good question indeed. It seems we have lots of folks with butter fingers out there

No matter how idiot-proof you make a piece of equipment, it will only work and last as long as it is used properly. But I guess people like to have peace of mind that the equipment has been built to protect them against their own stupidity as much as possible.

 

[s10willy]

I carry mine when I need to clean the skimmer body. I would be very upset if my skimmer broke from a fall. Nobody anticipates dropping the skimmer, but when you combine wet items and wet hands with unforseen obstacles, such as pets, kids, etc., accidents happen.

 

[nikonosis]

right now I would really like to skimmate comparison pics between an asm g4 vs one of the octopus 200 needlewheels.

 

[nikonosis]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6747141#post6747141 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by s10willy
I carry mine when I need to clean the skimmer body. I would be very upset if my skimmer broke from a fall. Nobody anticipates dropping the skimmer, but when you combine wet items and wet hands with unforseen obstacles, such as pets, kids, etc., accidents happen.

have you ever dropped your deltec?

 

[dhnguyen]

So I guess the question is how much that peace of mind is worth to you as a consumer when purchasing a skimmer. Is it worth hundreds of Dollars more? It is your wallet afterall.

Accidents do happen and you're just as likely to slip, trip, fall and break your own neck when dealing with wet areas.

I personally have never dropped a skimmer but then I know to take my time and be extra cautious when doing so.



D.

 

[nikonosis]

to be honest i would think any skimmer would break if dropped.

 

[s10willy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6747178#post6747178 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nikonosis
have you ever dropped your deltec?

I have dropped the skimmer cup, luckily after it was cleaned, and it survived in one piece. I've never dropped the skimmer body. I have had a close call with my 14 month old daughter coming across my path. I was able to avoid her and keep the skimmer up. I don't think anybody anticipates these events.

 

[dhnguyen]

Along that same line of though... I wonder how many people become "extra careful" when moving their skimmers about simply because they know they paid a ton of money more on it

 

[dhnguyen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6747154#post6747154 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nikonosis
right now I would really like to skimmate comparison pics between an asm g4 vs one of the octopus 200 needlewheels.

I would really like to see this comparison as well.

 

[reefchow]

Skimmer efficacy

Skimmer efficacy

Remember, Nikonosis pictures of skimmate or bubble size are not going to tell you whether one skimmer is better than another. Currently, skimmer efficacy comparisons are highly subjective except quality of materials used. So if you compare a skimmer that are similar in size and uses a similar size pump, the chances are the the efficacy will be somewhat similar. Thus, the choice than becomes more quality based.

 

[tacocat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6747120#post6747120 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dhnguyen
A very good question indeed. It seems we have lots of folks with butter fingers out there

No matter how idiot-proof you make a piece of equipment, it will only work and last as long as it is used properly. But I guess people like to have peace of mind that the equipment has been built to protect them against their own stupidity as much as possible.

You seem to have a very positive attitude.

That is the problem with the ASM. I don't think they properly engineered their equipment. ASM utilizes a few tiny and easy to break tabs to secure the lid to the cup and the collection cup to the body. I have never broken one and I typically baby my equipment, but if it can go wrong in reefing, it will go wrong.

I am OK with the design, but it is a consideration if you are a little less graceful.

Another feature I didn't like was the way the pump attached to the body. It was just a loose slip fitting, and when you mated the body to pump, the skimmer would not sit flat. It takes very little effort to dislodge to the skimmer from the pump if you happened to be working in the sump.

I think the ASM was built and engineered cheaply. Did it still work? sure, but I do apprecaite peace of mind when I am on the other side of the country.

 

[s10willy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6747231#post6747231 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dhnguyen
Along that same line of though... I wonder how many people become "extra careful" when moving their skimmers about simply because they know they paid a ton of money more on it

I doubt it. The thought of how much I paid for my skimmer never enters my mind when I am cleaning my tank or any component. If you feel the purchase was justified in the first place, why would you dwell on the thought?

Similarly, Reefchow commented on driving a Porsche. I don't think Porsche drivers alter their vehicle handling, just because of how much they paid for it.

 

[nikonosis]

there is alot of people that baby their items that they paid alot for. Maybe you just have enough money that you don't really care if you break your deltec because you can just go and buy another one.

 

[dhnguyen]

Ok how about this... Lets have a test on reliability and breakability instead.

Get some diferent skimmers and drop them accordingly. I'm really curious to know how much if any of this "peace of mind" build quality is perceived. Anyone wanna volunteer their skimmers for this test?

Seriously though I wish someone DID test this out.


D.

 

[dhnguyen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6747296#post6747296 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by s10willy
I doubt it. The thought of how much I paid for my skimmer never enters my mind when I am cleaning my tank or any component. If you feel the purchase was justified in the first place, why would you dwell on the thought?

Similarly, Reefchow commented on driving a Porsche. I don't think Porsche drivers alter their vehicle handling, just because of how much they paid for it.

Oh? I know a guy who owns a BMW M3 and he ONLY takes it out on the weekend and going no faster than the speed limit.

Same thing for many Harley Davidson owners I know.

 

[s10willy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6747311#post6747311 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nikonosis
there is alot of people that baby their items that they paid alot for. Maybe you just have enough money that you don't really care if you break your deltec because you can just go and buy another one.

I think the people that baby their items do so because they have been taught to take care of their possessions. They do so regardless of how much they paid for it.

I show no more or less care in carrying my Deltec than I would any other skimmer, but I don't want to spend any more money on replacing a skimmer or a cup than anybody else. Like someone else said earlier, there are other things I would like to spend my money on.

 

[s10willy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6747364#post6747364 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dhnguyen
Oh? I know a guy who owns a BMW M3 and he ONLY takes it out on the weekend and going no faster than the speed limit.

Same thing for many Harley Davidson owners I know.

May be, but do they alter their vehicle handling based on how much they spent on it? If the guy owned a BMW 318, would he drive it any different? Would the Harley owners handle their bikes, and their lives too, any differently if they were riding Ninja 250's?

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

My Euroreef wouldn't break if I dropped it -- pretty sure I could use it as a striking weapon and not break it. Okay, maybe if I dropped out of a second story window onto a hard surface. Heavy, thick, and extremely well bonded at the seams. I do baby it, though, whenever dealing with it -- but I don't think I have to.

The only way I would think you could really test skimmers against each other is to create two equal (volume, nutrient load) vats of fish poo and see which removes more over a set period of time. You'd have to use all brand new skimmers. It would be pretty awesome to see results on something like this, but obviously pretty expensive -- I doubt you'd have manufacturers lining up to donate skimmers for the test.

Pictures of nog are evidence of nothing as far as head to head comparison.

 

[dhnguyen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6747417#post6747417 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by s10willy
May be, but do they alter their vehicle handling based on how much they spent on it? If the guy owned a BMW 318, would he drive it any different? Would the Harley owners handle their bikes, and their lives too, any differently if they were riding Ninja 250's?

Yes actually in these cases they do. They drive slower and are more careful. The same fellow who owns said BMW also drives a Honda Civic for work and I tell ya he beats up that car on a regular basis redlining the engine at times.


D.