Need help deciding skimmer.
- Thread starter 46bfinGA
- Start date
manderx
New member
i wouldn't say i have a beef with them, just trying to be at least one person with the courage to speak my mind and help other people see through the 'reality distortion field' around them. i'd like nothing more than to see the market realize they aren't worth the current prices so that maybe there will be a 'correction'. remember that deltec *should* be cheaper than h&s based on euro pricing (and i've seen threads on the euro boards where they make fun of us for spending so much on deltec). i've met the guys at finsreef (*really* cool guys) and i've heard enough stories firsthand from people who've been to the deltecusa booth to have a pretty good idea why the pricing swaps on this side of the pond. it was sickening reading the over-the-top fanboyism in that meshwheel thread that just got closed (at least it was closed for the right reason this time, the insults at the end were just as sickening).
i've used 2 of them plus the stirrer, and all i can say is i'm glad i bought through marvin even though i had to drive 4.5 hours each way to get it and pay tax (and had to pay shipping too which was kinda weird). i've actually been biting my tongue for a while because i respect him so much and don't want him to interpret anything i say as an attack against him. he doesn't set the prices so no beef with him
.don't know exactly how you meant this, but the craftmanship is actually extremely good. everything is very clean and sharp looking. they just chose to use flimsier materials than you would expect for the price. though after dropping a cup once and seeing it flex rather than crack, it may be a good thing.
he was doomed the minute he said he bought it used...
edit: and i want to add to this point that i have a friend who bought a used skimmer that arrived broken. he mentioned it in a random thread, and the guy who sells that skimmer noticed and contacted him right away and sent him replacement parts free of charge. *that* is customer service.
tacocat
Premium Member
Deltec's stuff does perform well, and yes they do have their fanboys. ER had their fanboys. MRC had their fanboys five years ago. It goes in waves. I do like Deltec's kalkstirrer desgin, but hate their Ca reactor.
That meshwheel thread was funny. I can always count on DeltecRules for amusement.
Deltec does use flimsier materials and I have seen the glue seams deteriorate on their older units. I think this has changed somewhat. My FR509 looks great and my Ca reactor has been holding together. I meant "built well" comparatively speaking. Yes Deltec skimmers are NOT DAS skimmers.
When compared to H&S, Deltec is not built well. H&S is cheaper in price and features acrylic and PVC constuction. H&S uses thicker material and welds the seams. H&S uses a nice and easy to adjust o-ring sealed wedge pipe. They als use sweeps versus 90* elbows and SCH 20 plumbing for less restriction on the pumps.
That meshwheel thread was funny. I can always count on DeltecRules for amusement.
Deltec does use flimsier materials and I have seen the glue seams deteriorate on their older units. I think this has changed somewhat. My FR509 looks great and my Ca reactor has been holding together. I meant "built well" comparatively speaking. Yes Deltec skimmers are NOT DAS skimmers.
When compared to H&S, Deltec is not built well. H&S is cheaper in price and features acrylic and PVC constuction. H&S uses thicker material and welds the seams. H&S uses a nice and easy to adjust o-ring sealed wedge pipe. They als use sweeps versus 90* elbows and SCH 20 plumbing for less restriction on the pumps.
What else can I add? I have owned Deltec and ER. I've never had an H&S, but would like to try one out. I have no complaints at all over the support I've got from Deltec or ER. Both have been very good.
I do have an issue with what Deltec charges for replacement parts which would factor into future purchases.
Eheim NW replacement pump:
Deltec $600
H&S $300
ER $250
Eheim NW replacement impeller:
Deltec $250
H&S $110
ER $50.
I do have an issue with what Deltec charges for replacement parts which would factor into future purchases.
Eheim NW replacement pump:
Deltec $600
H&S $300
ER $250
Eheim NW replacement impeller:
Deltec $250
H&S $110
ER $50.
tacocat
Premium Member
Yeah, that's ugly. Actually with the H&S (ER probably as well), you can uses a standard Ehiem motor block. Not so with Deltec. Only the H&S volute and NW is unique. The Deltec is a modified Ehiem which is glued to the skimmer fittings (so you can't use an off the shelf block), and they use a 1262 volute.
As such, I don't have any comlaints about any of the "big three". :lol: I'd let the wallet decide. Usually when you deal with skimmers of this size, placement typically dictates the brand.
Oh yeah 46, check stupid things, like pump placement, which side of the riser pipe is the exit. Sometimes, these small things will affect your plumbing scheme in major ways.
At this time my tank is not even setup,im in the process of moving walls and cutting in a header for the tank.So as far as placement i wouldnt know where to start.I do know id like an external skimmer and i can pretty much adapt to anything other then that.So now i just need to decide between the H&S 250 or the RC500.Ive pretty much ruled out the Deltec because its a bit undersized from what i need.Thanks for all your help.
Unfortunately U-Can is right. There is no "industry standard" tests or specs. You see that just by how much the mfgrs ratings vary.
It may be simplistic, but the RC500 matches closely in spec, the 3 pump H&S and Deltec skimmers, especially since they use essentially the same pumps. There are probably some subtle differences, but I would expect similar performance. The 2 pump 10" body H&S is a smaller skimmer.
There are other considerations besides performance. I like the construction of the H&S better. The way the pumps are attached to the body is a lot better than ER.
If you are looking just performance, a 12" 3 Eheim skimmer over a 10" 2 Eheim skimmer seems pretty obvious.
Richard Durso (yes that Durso) uses an RC500. He has the old one with 2 Gen-X pumps and it seems to work quite well. I would think with 3 Eheims it would kick some major booty.
It may be simplistic, but the RC500 matches closely in spec, the 3 pump H&S and Deltec skimmers, especially since they use essentially the same pumps. There are probably some subtle differences, but I would expect similar performance. The 2 pump 10" body H&S is a smaller skimmer.
There are other considerations besides performance. I like the construction of the H&S better. The way the pumps are attached to the body is a lot better than ER.
If you are looking just performance, a 12" 3 Eheim skimmer over a 10" 2 Eheim skimmer seems pretty obvious.
Richard Durso (yes that Durso) uses an RC500. He has the old one with 2 Gen-X pumps and it seems to work quite well. I would think with 3 Eheims it would kick some major booty.
