Which Skimmer? Deltec? H&S?

[1SickReefer]

I'm planning my new tank upgrade. I currently have a standard 120 with a 40g sump with a Deltec AP600.

My new tank will be 7x2x2 84"X24"24

I've been looking at the Deltec AP851 for $1133.

I've also been looking at the AP702 and AP902. Both are considerably more money.

I was hoping to hear that the AP851 will do the job on my new tank. It Will be 210g plus sump which is going to be be the 120.. about half full so say 60g

270gallons.. The Deltec website says exactly that.. 270 heavy stocked.

Will this skimmer keep up like it says it will? or do you think I should just bite the bullet and go with the AP702?

I guess my last question is, if not the Deltecs listed above, what skimmer would you buy for a 270 SPS system, with a healthy fish load?

Thanks for the help.

 

[BreadmanMike]

As a former owner of an AP851 and a new owner of an H&S 200 3x2001... I like the way the H&S is made. Other then material differance, the 851 will skim your tank nicely.

I'd go with an H&S though.

 

[gsoaxionsk8]

i agree, i have never owned a deltec but i am running a H & S and i have nothing but good things to say about it. Hands down this is one the best things i have ever bought for my tank .

 

[1SickReefer]

Just looked at the A200 3x on AO. rated to 500g 1399.99

I like that it has a bigger intake and output, the only thing I can say I don't like is having to service 3 pumps lol...

No real details on the AO site. how much water to feed to skimmer? and is that 500g rating for a heavy load?

The Eheim 1260 must be one hella of pump to match 3 AB's.

I looked at the A200 2x1260 also for 1600.00

Man I cant decide.... I know I cant go wrong with either but....

 

[BreadmanMike]

I'm running the in-sump model, so I can't answer the feed question. If you go to finsreef's forum, Brian can answer questions like that for you.

I'm not a big fan of the recircs, even if you gravity feed them. I know they add 10% more skimming capacity, but they also cost more.

 

[sjm817]

Stay away from the A200 2x1260. The 200mm (8") body is too small for 2 pumps. They have a A250 (250mm 10" body) that is much better.

For the price of the A250 or 702, you could get an ER RC500 which is a 12" body 3 Eheim pump beast. It is similar in spec to an A300 or 703.

For a single Eheim pump skimmer, I'd get the H&S A200.

There is also the ATI BM250...

 

[BreadmanMike]

Speaking of ER, Jeff said he'll be releasing some 10" models in May if you're not in a hurry.

 

[Reef Sponger]

I'm doing the same research and pretty close to pulling the trigger on an H&S skimmer.

 

[1SickReefer]

Thanks for the replies guys, I looked the ATI BM 250, what is it rated for and can it be used out of sump?

I'm not a fan of ER based on several threads I have seen on very bad CS.

 

[JRaquatics]

I know price is not a concern since you have a deltec, which I find to be way over priced for the craftsmanchip you recieve, and if money is not an object I would recomend a H&S also. If money is an object look into Aquaeuro USA or the new Hydor skimmers? I might be getting an Aquaeuro USA next week since the hydors still have not come into the states.

 

[sjm817]

ATI BM 250 is rated for 500G+, and is internal only. I would disagree about ER customer service. My exp has been very good with ER CS as has many others. There is another vendor who has been mentioned in this thread who has been having some CS issues lately. For some reason, people seem to ignore that.

 

[ridetheducati]

A250!!

 

[1SickReefer]

I'm looking heavily at the H&S line..

Aquaticman74, I like your first recommendation the A200 3XF2001 is really looking good. The H&S should skim circles around the AP851 that's just my first thought.

Can I get some more info, some pro's and cons from the current users. Height is of no concern, It will be beside my sump in the new fish room. Sump will be my current 120 the center section will be one big fuge.

I can get past the 3 pump maint part of it. I want the biggest and best I can get for about the max Price of the A2003xF about 1400 is my max.

JRaquatics, Yes price is of concern. I still have to report to a higher power . She has a hard time seeing the difference in skimmers once we reach this dollar figure, she thinks I'm crazy for spending 1400 on a piece of plastic and a little black motor lol. If price was of no concern, I would have went with the AP1006 yesterday

If I was to buy an H&S who should I buy it from? Definitely a company with excellent CS is a must, please recc. a few so I can check them out plz.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[1SickReefer]

SMJ,

I see that too in the "other" forum... This is why I am looking for another company... It does not go unnoticed
I will take a look at the ER line, I def want an Eheim or Aquabee pump.

 

[Reef Sponger]

I am making the same decision soon. Almost ready to pull the trigger on a H&S. It looks like performance, consistency, quality construction, warranty and cost & availability of replacement parts gives H&S the edge. I've surfed through the Vendor Experience forum and there seems to be excellent feedback there as well as the sponsored forums.

 

[sjm817]

Another thing to consider is replacement parts costs. Deltec replacement parts are very expensive (like 2x for an Eheim pump) compared to H&S and ER.

 

[Jar*Head]

Go with H&S dude.

 

[Goodwood]

I will go H&S next time around, they get a pretty good buzz on here.

 

[USC-fan]

ATI BM250 or the DAS ex-3

Both of these would be the best choice for the money. If you don't want to put the BM in you new fuge just buy a ruddermade bucket and plumb it into your set up.

 

[1SickReefer]

Ok you guys are selling me on the H&S, Now which model, the A200 3xF2001??