Solid Performing HOB skimmers? Deltec MCE300?

[E.intheC]

For a while now, I've been searching for a new skimmer for my 34 gallon Solana. I was originally very excited about the AquaMaxx HOB-1, however it's been on perpetual back order since I can remember. I've actually purchased the skimmer 2x now, only to be told that it's on back order for another 3 weeks. :hammer: (Not the vendor's fault).

As such, I'm kind of done waiting for the AquaMaxx.

Has anyone bought the MCE300 recently? I can't seem to find any stores (local or online) that still carry this skimmer.

If not the Deltec, what other skimmers are recommended? I don't want the Tunze 9002 or most of the related models. I've considered, but remain skeptical of the (expensive) Super Reef Octopus HOB's.... The ATB Multi Use cone is no longer sold.

That leaves me with the Deltec. Otherwise, I'm looking for a quiet, reliable, solid performing skimmer.

 

[ReachTheSky]

Not much experience here but a friend of mine says that his AquaC Remora is working wonders for his 20g.

EDIT: I honestly can't remember if it was the Remora or the Urchin. Look up both, see which one fits your need.

 

[E.intheC]

Thanks for the recommendation. I have used the Aqua C before. My Dad has one running on his FOWLR also.

Honestly, I don't know how that company is still around. They are loud and don't produce much at all.. I do appreciate the help, though. :beer:

 

[ReachTheSky]

lol. Touche.

 

[Bigcefa]

Eshopps psk 75h is a great hang on, pretty quiet too

 

[reeftivo]

my vote is for the BH100
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-bh100-hang-on-the-back-protein-skimmer.html

I've used a few HOBs (stinkers and good ones) but not the eshopps. There are mixed reviews on them and they look like they sit very high off the tank. Thats why I never pulled the trigger on one back in the day. The psk 75h may still work well for your application though.

the MCE300 was overpriced plastic (had one!)

 

[reeftivo]

oh forgot that you probably dont want a pump in the tank.
others;
http://www.aquacave.com/Reef-Octopus-BH-1000-Hang-on-Back-Protein-Skimmer-P2275.aspx
http://www.aquacave.com/Reef-Octopu...-Protein-Skimmer-with-Filter-System-P960.aspx

 

[paul26]

I have a 36 gallon bowfront and i just replaced the aquac remora with the Reef octopus bh 90. It was like night and day. Some people have luck with the aqua c but i sure didnt. It ALWAYS overflowed,millions of microbubbles, never consistant. The bh 90 is AMAZING. The same night it started pulling out watery mud butt. Definitely would recommend the bh 90.

 

[snookman88]

Eshopps psk 75h is a great hang on, pretty quiet too

+1

the psk-100h is great too

 

[E.intheC]

oh forgot that you probably dont want a pump in the tank.
others;
http://www.aquacave.com/Reef-Octopus-BH-1000-Hang-on-Back-Protein-Skimmer-P2275.aspx
http://www.aquacave.com/Reef-Octopu...-Protein-Skimmer-with-Filter-System-P960.aspx

The first one is a bit scary too, because the pump is under the skimmer body. I worry about leak-points.

What is the noise level on the BH 100? I've heard a few people recommend these.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone

 

[E.intheC]

my vote is for the BH100
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-bh100-hang-on-the-back-protein-skimmer.html

I've used a few HOBs (stinkers and good ones) but not the eshopps. There are mixed reviews on them and they look like they sit very high off the tank. Thats why I never pulled the trigger on one back in the day. The psk 75h may still work well for your application though.

the MCE300 was overpriced plastic (had one!)

What other HOBs have you used? I'm curious to hear which ones you like and which ones you don't like.

 

[E.intheC]

http://socaltropicalfishoutlet.com/catalog/jns-ws1-skimmer-p-1509.html

Has anyone had experience with the above skimmer? Also, how about SoCal Tropical Fish Outlet as a store?

 

[Portsie]

I got a RO BH1000 a few weeks ago and love it. Has been pulling gunk from day 1. About as loud as my canister filter but with a slight sucking/draining sound. Small profile in and behind the tank.

 

[ghostman]

I would avoid the Deltec 300. I've had one and had trouble dialing it in. It has an odd collection cup design, and doesnt really seem to live up to the Deltec reputation IMO. That said, I don't know of a hob alternative that would work. I just wasn't happy with the 300.

 

[reeftivo]

What other HOBs have you used? I'm curious to hear which ones you like and which ones you don't like.

Remora pro
BH100
DBH300F
Bermuda rogue hob
Warner marine h2
Mce300
Mce600


The remora worked out of the box but it was too loud and the injector was a clogging nightmare. Even when maintained well, it lost performance over time.

The bh100 was great. Break in was looong. Even after a good vinegar bath and scrubbing it took me three weeks to get consistent foam. After that it performed well. The otp pump was big and at the time generated too much in heat and energy for my liking. The Octo dbh300f was big but worked well for months until I decided to mount an eheim 1250 externally on it. It worked great for a week, then I decided to re plumb the intake and ruined the skimmer-arrrgg!
The Bermuda Rogue is very nice and has the anti clog venturi injector. It's huge though and would be better suited to larger applications. I was running a mag 5 on it and it was in tank. It had a very wide return wall that has a bubble trap which mounts to it. I didn't use the bubble trap on it because my overflow wouldn't allow me to Mount it. Poor planning on my part since I never could eliminate micros so I ended up doing a trade with it at my lfs.
Warner Marine (now aquamaxx hob has the design); it skimmed great too after a week or so after break in but the skimmer was a nightmare with micros. I directed the elbow towards the back wall of the tank and even directed the effluent into a sponge but the micros never totally subsided. I ended up trading it for an AC Jr. And tunze ato.
Mce300 is waaaay overpriced for what you get. Thin plastic body and the noise was unbearable. I initially thought the maxi Jet was cavitating but soon realized the pump had no vibration buffer. With the thin body of the skimmer, the noise only amplified. It skimmed good when it skimmed but overall was too loud , finecky and a pain to get the pump out for any type of maintenance.
The mce 600 was one of the best hob's for me however the aquabee pump was its ultimate breaking point for me. After a few months the air intake was clogging weekly. So badly that I would need to ream it out with the blunt end of a drill bit. It skimmed so well that I dealt with it until the start up issues started persisting. At that point I took it off lineand shelved it.

Bottom line would be that of them all I had the best experiences with the Octo skimmers

Edit: forgot to mention the atb multi use. Have one as well. It never performed well as an hob. I would get decent air numbers but it performed much better in sump.

 

[E.intheC]

Thanks for the input on those skimmers! I have the same feelings on the Remora. I'm surprised you didn't like the ATB. Maybe the bio load wasn't enough for the skimmer?

The Deltec MCE300 is definitely out. The noise that you and a few others described is enough to dissuade me. It's too bad about the Aquabee pump on the 600. I've never used an Aquabee pump, but have heard mixed reviews on their reliability. They're expensive to replace (if they're even available) so that knocks the 600 out also.

I wonder if there's a small cone that can be placed inside the Solana's rear chamber... i could buy the cone and a smaller pump could be used.

 

[Michigan Mike]

I wouldn't worry about the BH-1000 pump being underneath the body. Better access than an internal pump and no one wants a big honking pump in the tank like the BH-100.

 

[Dapg8gt]

Reef octopus BH90. I've had one for a few months and it works great. Not too Loud but you can hear the air being chopped up but it's not excessive. It's easy to dial in and broke in in a day. No micro bubbles on break in basically just skimmed a little wet at first but it's a great skimmer , cheap and has all the features you want, external pump, bubble plate and it's easy to use. I got it for under $200 shipped its running on a HEAVILY stocked 45 gal .

 

[GSMguy]

I have had the MCE 500 and 300 since 07. The 300 is a decent skimmer for anything under 20g the 500 will handle much more. I'm running the 500 on my Nuvo 38 currently but it was on a 20l for the last three years.

When I bought my deltecs the customer servivce was great now it is almost nonexistent.

 

[Reeferz412]

I own a Warner Marine H2 and it skims well but man it is a hassle to do maintenance. I am switching out for Eshopps PSK 100H. My Sedra pump is on its last leg as well. If I turn off the power it doesnt turn back on. Its a set and forget skimmer but sometimes a pain to deal with.