Skimmers, how do these compare?

[Ga Liverpool]

Thinking of upgrading my skimmer (a uk made downdraft one) and looking at either of these...

A deltec AP850

or this beckett style one:
http://www.coralculture.co.uk/shop/p...roducts_id=320

I know you guys in the US know more about becketts than us in the UK where they havent been available, but as they are around the same price which would you go for.

Cheers

Gary

And does anyone use 'geos' beckett skimmer? whats the build quality and cost.

[Fins Reef]

Ga,
I would go with the Deltec over the Beckett, the pump OR6500 will not drive the beckett good, the generally do best with a high pressure pump. Also consider H&S if you can find them. Call Rob at www.clams.co.uk about the H&S, I think he also carries Deltec.

[Derek]

Gary,

I had a MRC-2(My Reef Creations) beckett skimmer. Nice skimmer but it needed an external pressure rated pump. I tried it with a MAG 18, but it didn't work as well as with a PCX-40 or PCX-55.

I have the Deltec APF600 and it is much easier to use than a beckett skimmer. The MR-2 needed to be tweaked almost daily for maximum performance. That being said with the correct pump that skimmer could pull more out of a tank in a day than anything I have owned.

Since the costs are so close I would go with the Deltec because of the ease of use and lower electricity usage.

Derek

[moonpod]

Unless that beckett unit is huge that thing is crazy priced (b/c OR pumps are not expensive though maybe the 6500 is). In the US Beckett skimmers are popular b/c one, they are cheaper than the needlewheel alternative in general and two like Derek says, when tuned, you can get amazing volumes of in particular wet skimmate--becketts are unparalleled in terms of the amount of air you can get through a single injector. To truly get good performance out of a beckett you need to use a true external pressure rated pump (think Iwaki or the new panworld knockoffs, GRIs or the genx externals), which in Europe is generally a bad idea b/c of electricity costs. Also, as Derek states, they kinda need to watched closer than needlewheel skimmers. For whatever reason, the injectors get clogged pretty easily (you wouldn't believe the things you'll find in them). Course I could be wrong and maybe the OR 6500 will work well, I've no first hand experience with that pump. That being said anything that can drive a beckett that you use submersibly=a lot of heat in the system.

I currently run an AP702 and compared to my old beckett (I've actually had a few b/c when tuned becketts are beasts of skimmers) it's sooo much easier. No maintenance except for cleaning the collection cup and container. If I spring for the selfcleaning head even that will go away.

[Ga Liverpool]

Thanks guys, reading between the lines Becketts are great skimmers ONLY if used with a high powered (= high electricity costs) pump.

I think ill go down the Deltec route in that case, ive found a used one that hopefully i can pick up

Thanks all

Ga

[fkadir]

Deltec's are great. I know a few reefers who are using it for a few months and am totally inpressed with the range of skimmers. Knocks the socks off everything else out there (in the same range of course). Not finicky and very easy to tune. Just set it once and your done. Way cool!

[losmandy]

Believe me. My AP850 is one of the best piece of equipment I ever bought for my reef.

Previous when I saw some deltec users talking abt their skimmer, I could not understand why they love it so much and what's so great abt a deltec skimmer until I started using it. You'll realise once you start using one. The are great...

This AP850 is my 3rd skimmer within a year (the previous one was as dual beckett). I never look back after firing the AP850.

No more choking injector (always happen when I am out on business trip, my wife would be calling me tell me there's something wrong with my beckett skimmer), I would be stress and couldn't work :P

I am so pleased with the AP850 that I ordered another deltec APF600 for my FOWLR. The fishes deserves a better skimmer :P

[mikester]

If I spring for the selfcleaning head even that will go away.

What do you mean "if" - you know you're going to do it eventually. I bet you've already had plumbers out to get quotes on running the lines.

[moonpod]

SHHHHH Don't tell my wife!!!!!

[fkadir]

Its very very tempting.. Have yet to see the SCH in person tho. All I ever saw are web-pics.. I do have the plumbing in place but still deciding on the SCH. Is it really worth the $?

[moonpod]

I'm SOOOO sick of cleaning the collection cup. That stuff is beyond gross. And smells really, really bad....the SCH takes care of that, BUT I don't have a drain. The RO line in is easy. The drain for the waste is not...

[fkadir]

I have got both but dunt have the $! lol!

[nbd13]

moonpod you could have it drain into a bucket or container w/lid and just empty the container every 4-5 days or so.

Nick

[mikester]

I'm SOOOO sick of cleaning the collection cup. That stuff is beyond gross. And smells really, really bad....the SCH takes care of that, BUT I don't have a drain. The RO line in is easy. The drain for the waste is not...

Nothing a jackhammer couldn't fix in about 5 minutes.

[moonpod]

moonpod you could have it drain into a bucket or container w/lid and just empty the container every 4-5 days or so.

Nick

Nick I can't tell you how gross that would be...

Mike....be good.