RE: Best Skimmer

I also do not buy the german stuff is better line, just because you pay more does not mean it works better!

A great way to go is to buy used, there are almost always skimmers f/s in all priceranges & you can get great deals. My skimmer was about 1/2 what it went for new & it's been awesome!!

Possibly call up premium aquatics & ask what they suggest. They carry ASM, Octopus, ER & a few other lines.

finally, where in Ohio are you
 
OK. You beat me to it! I was just thinking, this skimmer will set in a compartment in my sump. If I control the flow through that section, which I can do, it would be the same as a re-circulating skimmer. Correct? Am I smart or what...ha hha. Thanks for the input here I believe we're making some real progress.
 
I dont believe that running a skimmer with a feed pump is the same as direct feed. As the return water splashes into the sump many of the proteins immediately rise to the surface. Since the feed pump is at the bottom of the sump, it will miss a majority of the proteins, which will then pump back to the display.
 
All I know is that I have to empty my skimmer cup every other day or on the third day it overflows and my fish eat poop! My little deltec is the best skimmer I've owned, Plus height constraints were an issue. My LFS suggested the octopus first but it wouldn't fit, But now that I used it I wouldn't trade my 1250 for any other, My .02 cents. (HEY, the Germans have taken over the world!). My skimmer at work!
81436sump_pic2.jpg
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9172673#post9172673 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by corals b 4 bills
..... (HEY, the Germans have taken over the world!). My skimmer at work!
81436sump_pic2.jpg
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The world of reefkeeping... :lmao: A lot has been posted since I logged off. Couldn't resist looking as this was on top of the lighting forum. Well, logging off again, glad this thread didn't get too nasty like others have gotten. :D It's really hard to be objective unless one has owned all the high end skimmers (bigger models too) and compared. You've got to throw out those manufacturer's specs, they don't mean anything without first hand experience.

For those who have owned the Deltec AP600 or MCE600 and think that is representative of Deltec products, I would say those are the 2 worst skimmers that they produce. Still good, but not representative of the rest of their line of skimmers. I got rid of my AP600 in 3 months because it wasn't doing well on my 60g heavy bioload reef and ending up trading up to a APF600, no regrets, but a very costly decision to stay small because of limited real estate in my sump and a tank stand that was short. Just my 2 cents that the AP600, although a decent skimmer is not a good representative of the Deltec line. If you've seen the AP701 or AP851, or AP902, now that's representative of what a Deltec can do. :D Of course, because of cost of replacement parts and better warranty, give me an H&S skimmer... this was why it's still my recommendation for Randy1, but a little more than your budget.
 
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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9172078#post9172078 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by poppin_fresh
I dont believe that running a skimmer with a feed pump is the same as direct feed. As the return water splashes into the sump many of the proteins immediately rise to the surface. Since the feed pump is at the bottom of the sump, it will miss a majority of the proteins, which will then pump back to the display.
Click to expand...

I have an A150. I fed it with a pump for a couple of months and didn't see what the H&S hoopla was all about. Once I started feeding direct from my drain line, a world of difference.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9172761#post9172761 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by UCanDoIt
The world of reefkeeping... :lmao: I lot has been posted since I logged off. Well, logging off again, glad this thread didn't get too nasty like others have gotten. :D

For those who have owned the Deltec AP600 or MCE600 and think that is representative of Deltec products, I would say those are the 2 worst skimmers that they produce. Still good, but not representative of the rest of their line of skimmers. I got rid of my AP600 in 3 months because it wasn't doing well on my 60g heavy bioload reef and ending up trading up to a APF600, no regrets, but a very costly decision to stay small because of limited real estate in my sump and a tank stand that was short. Just my 2 cents that the AP600, although a decent skimmer is not a good representative of the Deltec line. If you've seen the AP701 or AP851, or AP902, now that's representative of what a Deltec can do. :D
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The same can be said of people who owned older ER skimmers and are basing and expressing their opinions on models that are not representative of the current product line.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9172949#post9172949 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
The same can be said of people who owned older ER skimmers and are basing and expressing their opinions on models that are not representative of the current product line.
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Burn me once, shame on you (ER), burn me twice twice, shame on me. ER has changed pumps several times on my older model... maybe they finally got it right, but I have no reason ever to trust ER again because of bad customer service to go along with a bad skimmer.
 
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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9172875#post9172875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dkh0331
I have an A150. I fed it with a pump for a couple of months and didn't see what the H&S hoopla was all about. Once I started feeding direct from my drain line, a world of difference.
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I know the answer will be subjective, but how much difference did you see in greater performance? I experienced the same when I first setup my H&S skimmer on my 175g, I just fed it by pump until I could get my plumbing redone. Then, it was a WOW effect! :D
 
You seem to have a personal ax to grind with ER. It is very apparent in your postings and the many PMs that you send to people who are considering one. It would be more valuable to the forum if you would just stick with technical merits of currently available products.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9173017#post9173017 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by UCanDoIt
I know the answer will be subjective, but how much difference did you see in greater performance? I experienced the same when I first setup my H&S skimmer on my 175g, I just fed it by pump until I could get my plumbing redone. Then, it was a WOW effect! :D
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I'll SWAG at least 50% Christine. I have zero need, want, desire inclination, etc to get a different skimmer, but if that day ever came about, the only skimmers I would consider would HAVE to be direct fed.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9173051#post9173051 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
You seem to have a personal ax to grind with ER. It is very apparent in your postings and the many PMs that you send to people who are considering one. It would be more valuable to the forum if you would just stick with technical merits of currently available products.
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No, no personal axe. But if you received a bad rap from a company, wouldn't you want to warn someone else about it, so they make a educated decision. I would do the same if I got a bad rap from a company like Deltec... and it wouldn't matter how well their skimmers work. So, in essence, ER does have very inconsistent customer service support and if you get them on a bad day, I feel sorry for you.

sjm817 - I hope that you don't feel attacked by any of my postings as I would not personally attack you as I do respect your opinions and have respected your opinions in the past as you've helped me. I just noticed that you've owned a AP600 as well and didn't see that earlier when I posted. I actually meant that comment for some others (not you, DeltecRules). :D OK, I'm logged off now...

Thanks for the response, dkh. I've always chalked it up to what hobbyist don't know, they don't know. One can argue this or that all we want, but unless you've owned a high end skimmer and fed it directly from your overflow... goodbye all, sorry if I stepped on anyone's toes. :wavehand:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9173017#post9173017 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by UCanDoIt
I know the answer will be subjective, but how much difference did you see in greater performance? I experienced the same when I first setup my H&S skimmer on my 175g, I just fed it by pump until I could get my plumbing redone. Then, it was a WOW effect! :D
Click to expand...

Thank you! I have been trying to beat the direct feed idea into peoples heads over at the ASM thread to no avail. I dont think people believe how much better ANY skimmer works when it gets totally raw water. Skimmate will probably more than double even on a cheap skimmer.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9173424#post9173424 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by poppin_fresh
Thank you! I have been trying to beat the direct feed idea into peoples heads over at the ASM thread to no avail. I dont think people believe how much better ANY skimmer works when it gets totally raw water. Skimmate will probably more than double even on a cheap skimmer.
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As I was editing my last post, I saw this, so this will be my last post on this thread... I'm not a DIY kind of girl, so if I did it myself, it would probably leak all over the place. I probably paid $150-$175 to have my aquarium technician redo my plumbing for me... it was well worth the changed, even added to the cost of my H&S skimmer. There's nothing like having a WOW! effect on any piece of equipment as it really makes you feel good that you bought the right piece of equipment or made a change that makes you feel it was the best thing to do. ASM people are just closed minded, but what they don't know, they don't know. :D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9173424#post9173424 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by poppin_fresh
Thank you! I have been trying to beat the direct feed idea into peoples heads over at the ASM thread to no avail. I dont think people believe how much better ANY skimmer works when it gets totally raw water. Skimmate will probably more than double even on a cheap skimmer.
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This is also true that keeping your sump turn over as low as possible will help in this. Most people for some reason still insist and recommend much tronger return pumps than are needed.

Ignorance is bliss I guess :)
 
WOW, great thread here if I do say so. Sounds like maybe re-evaluate the budget and buy the best or higher line I should say. After all look at the cost of the corals we're protecting. Great advice here, still not sure what to do. I'll re-visit some of the websites of the skimmers we've talked about and think some more. Anyone else, please feel free.
 
I shouldn't say all the ASM people wont listen. There are a few poeple like myself that have recirced and direct fed them we all agree that its the best mod anyone can do to a skimmer. Most people get so set on doing pointless mods, like adding a gate valve, that they miss the one that really works.
 
Can you show or explain how to do this mod? Maybe it should be a new thread. I'd love to try with existing asm skimmer and future skimmer.
 
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