Should I avoid skimmers with an AquaBee??

Mr James · 08/22/2007, 11:06 AM

I was told by a reputable retailer that they are no longer carrying the Deltecs because of the wait list on the Aqua Bee pump replacement parts. That is a pretty harsh statement, I know!! But, I am looking for a skimmer to run a 240g system and don't want to have any downtimer because of parts availability. I see an H&S skimmer that fits my billfold and it uses an AquaBee. What do I do??

Henry Bowman · 08/22/2007, 11:11 AM

H&S has a great customer service reputation. I have one on my tank and it performs well. I have not had a problem at all with the aquabee pump. Take a look and or give a call to www.finsreef.com regarding replacement issues. They have always been very responsive and honest with me.

kodyboy · 08/22/2007, 11:30 AM

aquabees are excellent pumps, don't worry about it

Reef Sponger · 08/22/2007, 11:31 AM

My H&S A150's doing great! although I was very apprehensive in buying it because of all the bad notoriety on the AquaBee pumps locking up. But if you see all the problem threads on AquaBee pumps, they are with Deltec modified AquaBees and their fluidized calcium reactor AquaBees. None of the other companies seem to be experiencing any problems. A lot of German companies use AquaBees for their equipment.

For a 240g setup, you probably need to look at the H&S A200-1260 with the Eheim recirculating pump.

DeltecRules · 08/22/2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reef Sponger
My H&S A150's doing great! although I was very apprehensive in buying it because of all the bad notoriety on the AquaBee pumps locking up. But if you see all the problem threads on AquaBee pumps, they are with Deltec modified AquaBees and their fluidized calcium reactor AquaBees. None of the other companies seem to be experiencing any problems. A lot of German companies use AquaBees for their equipment.

For a 240g setup, you probably need to look at the H&S A200-1260 with the Eheim recirculating pump.

There is nothing wrong with deltec skimmer aquabee's. I had two deltec aquabee pumps running on two different skimmers and had zero issues and ran dead silent. You seem to enjoy bashing deltec, but fail to realize that only a small percent of deltec and H&S users post here on RC, how do you really know how many bad H&S aquabee's and Deltec aquabee's are out there? I seen some people post about there H&S aquabee not starting on the H&S forum before. Face it not every pump is going to be perfect there are going to be manufacture errors.

Mr James its best to check out the deltec forum in reef central here and you will see alot of happy users who use aquabee pumps without problems. You will also get superior customer service from Doug who goes out of his way to help people. The problems in the past with deltec aquabee's on skimmers was because of worn out grommets which are now replaced with red silicone grommets, and people not taking take of their pumps with proper maintenance.

For a 240 gallon system I would be looking at the ap851 which is a real beast.

Mr James I would contact doug about the replacement aquabee issue. That sounds like total bunk. Doug is the main USA distributor. Ask him in his forum.

Scott

Mr James · 08/22/2007, 02:44 PM

I am certainly not trying to start any issues here. Next to tangs, skimmers can become heated. My main question wasn't whether or not the AquaBee is a good pump, which I know it is. My question is regarding the quick availablitity of replacement parts.

Trust me, I would love to have a big dog Deltec or H&S, but I am not looking forward to a $1200+ skimmer.

Jim_S · 08/22/2007, 03:04 PM

This is a very interesting question.

Now that other manufactures are buying AB pumps and using them on their skimmers, it seems like the availablity has dropped.

However, I'm sure that companies like Deltec and H&S have taken steps to ensure that replacement parts are available for their customers. They come at a premium, but available nonetheless.

I will also say that you will not get the answers you are lloking for here on this site. Your best bet would be to call Doug at Deltec USA (The USA distributor of Deltec) and Brian or Eric at Finsreef (The USA distributor of H&S) and ask them first hand. They will be able to tell you whether or not what you have heard is true.

Now if you were going to buy an Orca made skimmer or a DAS, you might be in a more difficult situation when it comes to replacement parts. I don't think that either company has the same relationship with AB, and when it comes down to it, if there is a shortage for some reason, I'm sure H&S and Deltec will take priority over these two companies as far as parts are concerned.

Jim

Mr James · 08/22/2007, 08:42 PM

Good points Jim, thanks.

Roland Jacques · 08/22/2007, 09:08 PM

There does seem to be a shortage right now with ABs, I heard it was a customs issue, but you never Know.

I would try to find out a little more, before I invested money in a high end skimmer. If its just a customs issue I would not worry about it, those are normally worked out.

FinsReef · 08/22/2007, 09:48 PM

There is not a shortage of Aquabee pumps available to H&S or Fins Reef. All replacement pumps are in stock for H&S units. If a pump is not in stock, it can be shipped express from Germany in a period of 2 to 3 days.

chinzman93 · 08/23/2007, 06:08 PM

Good to know. I may have to pick up a spare, just in case!....

USC-fan · 08/23/2007, 07:43 PM

The AB were held up in customs and that is the reason for the shortages. Nothing to worry about. The wait for deltec AB might be longer since they mod them.

If you are looking for an AB pump skimmer you should check DAS out. A lot better bang for the $$$ compared to deltec and H&S.

I brought a DAS ex-2 for a 240gal[330gal+ system] tank i will be setting up. It comes with 2x AB 2001 for $400. If you plan to run only one skimmer on your system i would get the DAS EX-3 which comes with 3x AB 2001 for around $650.

08/22/2007, 11:06 AM	#1
Mr James Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kernersville, NC Posts: 6,192	Should I avoid skimmers with an AquaBee?? I was told by a reputable retailer that they are no longer carrying the Deltecs because of the wait list on the Aqua Bee pump replacement parts. That is a pretty harsh statement, I know!! But, I am looking for a skimmer to run a 240g system and don't want to have any downtimer because of parts availability. I see an H&S skimmer that fits my billfold and it uses an AquaBee. What do I do??

08/22/2007, 11:11 AM	#2
Henry Bowman Reefing since '87 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Allegheny Mountains of VA Posts: 2,162	H&S has a great customer service reputation. I have one on my tank and it performs well. I have not had a problem at all with the aquabee pump. Take a look and or give a call to www.finsreef.com regarding replacement issues. They have always been very responsive and honest with me. __________________ Have a good'un Current Tank Info: 90 gl SPS dominant / upgrade in the works

08/22/2007, 03:04 PM	#7
Jim_S Timo Boll Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,333	This is a very interesting question. Now that other manufactures are buying AB pumps and using them on their skimmers, it seems like the availablity has dropped. However, I'm sure that companies like Deltec and H&S have taken steps to ensure that replacement parts are available for their customers. They come at a premium, but available nonetheless. I will also say that you will not get the answers you are lloking for here on this site. Your best bet would be to call Doug at Deltec USA (The USA distributor of Deltec) and Brian or Eric at Finsreef (The USA distributor of H&S) and ask them first hand. They will be able to tell you whether or not what you have heard is true. Now if you were going to buy an Orca made skimmer or a DAS, you might be in a more difficult situation when it comes to replacement parts. I don't think that either company has the same relationship with AB, and when it comes down to it, if there is a shortage for some reason, I'm sure H&S and Deltec will take priority over these two companies as far as parts are concerned. Jim __________________ We will survive in this world of competition, shooting guns and our ammunition... Bradley Nowell Current Tank Info: We're recreating the ocean in our livings rooms. With that said, I've had some ups and downs.

08/22/2007, 09:08 PM	#9
Roland Jacques Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 2,848	There does seem to be a shortage right now with ABs, I heard it was a customs issue, but you never Know. I would try to find out a little more, before I invested money in a high end skimmer. If its just a customs issue I would not worry about it, those are normally worked out. __________________ Roland

08/23/2007, 06:08 PM	#11
chinzman93 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 72	Good to know. I may have to pick up a spare, just in case!.... __________________ "I've got a fever.....and the only prescription is MORE COWBELL!!" Current Tank Info: 90 in-wall mixed reef. 30 gallon sump. MSX 160 skimmer. Aquatinics TX5. Ocean Runner 2500. 2 Hydor Koralia. ACII DC8.

08/22/2007, 11:30 AM	#3
kodyboy Moved On Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,990	aquabees are excellent pumps, don't worry about it

08/22/2007, 11:31 AM	#4
Reef Sponger Moved On Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: TX/USA Posts: 696	My H&S A150's doing great! although I was very apprehensive in buying it because of all the bad notoriety on the AquaBee pumps locking up. But if you see all the problem threads on AquaBee pumps, they are with Deltec modified AquaBees and their fluidized calcium reactor AquaBees. None of the other companies seem to be experiencing any problems. A lot of German companies use AquaBees for their equipment. For a 240g setup, you probably need to look at the H&S A200-1260 with the Eheim recirculating pump.

08/22/2007, 02:44 PM	#6
Mr James Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kernersville, NC Posts: 6,192	I am certainly not trying to start any issues here. Next to tangs, skimmers can become heated. My main question wasn't whether or not the AquaBee is a good pump, which I know it is. My question is regarding the quick availablitity of replacement parts. Trust me, I would love to have a big dog Deltec or H&S, but I am not looking forward to a $1200+ skimmer.

08/22/2007, 08:42 PM	#8
Mr James Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kernersville, NC Posts: 6,192	Good points Jim, thanks.

08/22/2007, 09:48 PM	#10
FinsReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Shelby,NC Posts: 323	There is not a shortage of Aquabee pumps available to H&S or Fins Reef. All replacement pumps are in stock for H&S units. If a pump is not in stock, it can be shipped express from Germany in a period of 2 to 3 days.

08/23/2007, 07:43 PM	#12
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	The AB were held up in customs and that is the reason for the shortages. Nothing to worry about. The wait for deltec AB might be longer since they mod them. If you are looking for an AB pump skimmer you should check DAS out. A lot better bang for the $$$ compared to deltec and H&S. I brought a DAS ex-2 for a 240gal[330gal+ system] tank i will be setting up. It comes with 2x AB 2001 for $400. If you plan to run only one skimmer on your system i would get the DAS EX-3 which comes with 3x AB 2001 for around $650.