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I got my a150 in yesterday (thank you very much finsreef). Here is a pic of someone else's a150. Mine looks identical so hopefully you guys don't mind that I am using someone else's pic.
EDITED (scottw)
First impressions...
The acrylic used on these skimmers are far superior to the extruded acrylic I've seen on other products (namely the TLF phosban reactor). I still think that from an aesthetic perspective, the cast acrylic used on other skimmers is better.
I believe the use of PVC for the base and the skimmer cup lid was a better choise than the ABS plastic used by deltec. I will say that the PVC lid on my euro reef cs 6-1 (hooked up on another tank) feels a little more "weighty" than the lid on my H&S.
The good news is that this thing is built like a tank. Support braces are used everywhere where any potential weakness may exist. I guess it goes to show that it's not necessarily the materials you use, it's how well you use the materials.
A note about the fittings..
The skimmer comes with several pieces of what seem to be something like schedule 80 pvc. What is interesting is that the slip fittings seem to have a loose fit. Whereas with american pvc (schedule 40 and 80), the fit with fittings is very snug. As a result, I had to use some teflon tape to ensure a water tight fit. (I didn't want to cement the fittings together as that seems to be a more "permananet" approach)
H&S's experience in building skimmers is also very evident. They have worked out a lot of the issues that euro reef seems to be struggling with. First, the fittings that attach the pump to the skimmer body use two different sizes, one of the in and one for the out. Seems simple but euro reef didn't think to do it and wound up with a beta tester who had an inverted pump. Second, the bracing on the potential week points. Third, a fitting that controls water level is standard on the entire line. Now that I have fiddled with this skimmer, I've come to realize that the biggest problem with my euro reef cs 6-1 is that stupid riser pipe. (That and the smug people who own that company, but that is a different story). Lastly, the stand. This H&S skimmer stands perfectly still on it's onw either with the recirc pump on or off. I wonder if euro reef could say the same about their skimmers.
Ultimately, I still believe that the materials in this skimmer are at best equivalent to the materials used in the higher end american skimmers. I believe the premium one pays to buy an H&S or a deltec really has to do with the skill and experience of the people who build those skimmers. If I had to do it again, I would definitely still buy the a150.
For those of you who are shopping for skimmers, give these skimmers a close look. They may cost a little more but ultimately, they are worth the money.
P.S. The a150 is kicking the crap out of the old ets reef devil I was previously.
EDITED (scottw)
First impressions...
The acrylic used on these skimmers are far superior to the extruded acrylic I've seen on other products (namely the TLF phosban reactor). I still think that from an aesthetic perspective, the cast acrylic used on other skimmers is better.
I believe the use of PVC for the base and the skimmer cup lid was a better choise than the ABS plastic used by deltec. I will say that the PVC lid on my euro reef cs 6-1 (hooked up on another tank) feels a little more "weighty" than the lid on my H&S.
The good news is that this thing is built like a tank. Support braces are used everywhere where any potential weakness may exist. I guess it goes to show that it's not necessarily the materials you use, it's how well you use the materials.
A note about the fittings..
The skimmer comes with several pieces of what seem to be something like schedule 80 pvc. What is interesting is that the slip fittings seem to have a loose fit. Whereas with american pvc (schedule 40 and 80), the fit with fittings is very snug. As a result, I had to use some teflon tape to ensure a water tight fit. (I didn't want to cement the fittings together as that seems to be a more "permananet" approach)
H&S's experience in building skimmers is also very evident. They have worked out a lot of the issues that euro reef seems to be struggling with. First, the fittings that attach the pump to the skimmer body use two different sizes, one of the in and one for the out. Seems simple but euro reef didn't think to do it and wound up with a beta tester who had an inverted pump. Second, the bracing on the potential week points. Third, a fitting that controls water level is standard on the entire line. Now that I have fiddled with this skimmer, I've come to realize that the biggest problem with my euro reef cs 6-1 is that stupid riser pipe. (That and the smug people who own that company, but that is a different story). Lastly, the stand. This H&S skimmer stands perfectly still on it's onw either with the recirc pump on or off. I wonder if euro reef could say the same about their skimmers.
Ultimately, I still believe that the materials in this skimmer are at best equivalent to the materials used in the higher end american skimmers. I believe the premium one pays to buy an H&S or a deltec really has to do with the skill and experience of the people who build those skimmers. If I had to do it again, I would definitely still buy the a150.
For those of you who are shopping for skimmers, give these skimmers a close look. They may cost a little more but ultimately, they are worth the money.
P.S. The a150 is kicking the crap out of the old ets reef devil I was previously.
, Lets get that skimmer up and running so I can see some pictures.
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