<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9102708#post9102708 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by REEFER714
I have run ER RC500 and also did the mod to add the 3rd pump on it. i also own custom skimmer using 2x1260 pump from H&S and now i'm running BK400ext. There is different between ER and H&S protein skimmer. H&S 1260 produce finer bubble compare to the Sedra-5000. I have not seen the 1262 in action so i don't know but a buddy of mine who has the CS500 RC with 2 eheim 1262 he wasn't impress and upgrade to A-200 H&S 2x1260. The only problem i notice with ER which prevent them from having fine bubble is the Cone where the reaction chamber transition into the neck and collection cup. The cone is too flat and the neck is small. I use 6.5" neck on my custom protein skimmer with 2x1260 and it was great. If you check out Loc01 who just finish his homemade protein skimmer using 2x Gen X 4100 also using 6.5" neck.
There is no different between H&S, Deltec and BK but the electrical usage. My BK using 58w while the A-300 using 150w and the Deltec 1003 using the same.
Little confused on the models here. There is no CS500 RC with 2 Eheim 1262. There is a CS400 with 2x Gen-X 4100, and there is the older RC500 with 2x Gen-X 4100. The current RC500 has 3 x Eheim pumps. None of them use the Sedra 5000. It think that older RC 12's used the Sedra pumps.
The 6.5" neck sounds like it works well. The RC500 has a 5.5" neck. What is the size of the neck of the H&S 3x1260 and the Deletc 703? (they dont list the spec). If you compare a ER RC180 (8" x 24" body 1 Eheim) to a Deltec 701 (8" x 24" body 1 Eheim), the Deltec has a 3.5" neck and the ER has a 4.5" neck.
H&S sells the A200 2x1260 which is the same body they use with the single pump. That skimmer is only large enough to handle a single pump. IMO, neither ER, H&S or Deltec are perfect. They all have their ups and downs, depending on the model.
For a single Eheim powered RC skimmer, I'd get the H&S. Its only $100 more than the ER.
For a 2 pump Eheim, ER doesn't make one. H&S A250 2 x 1260, (they should stop selling the A200 x1260 IMO) or the Deltec 702/902 depending on the height you have available.
For a 3 pump Eheim, the RC500 is really a bargain. It is $650 less that the comparable H&S and about $1600 less than the comparable Deltec. In fact, you an get an RC500 for less than the H&S 2x1260.
! From what I have read there is a difference in build quality on some of the high end skimmers, but I wouldn't call an ER crap. Maybe your LFS guy is just showing some bias for the skimmers that he likes.
