MRC stimmers vs Deltec

[Corn]

what is the better skimmer? and why?

[Jar*Head]

Deltec is much better for so many reason

Quiet operation
Less electrical usage
Plug and play (work great out of the box)
efficient

[klasiksb]

The reasons Reefer listed don't necessarly make a deltec better, it just makes it quieter, more energy efficient, plug and play and efficient (whatever that means).

Better? Who really knows.

[Corn]

would you say that they skim the same and deltec is more energy efficient?

[Hop]

I would say it's apples and oranges. Both have pro's and cons. I still believe that when you hit the 1000 gallon barrier, the efficiency becomes a minor issue

[Corn]

I am just looking of a cheaper costing skimmer. I have a Euro reef 180 and a used MRC 4 with a blue line 70 that I got for 300$ so I don't know if I should sell them both and get a deltec to save me some $$$ on energy or keep what i have and hook up the MRC 4?

[Jar*Head]

I used to run MR3 dual becket injector w/Iwaki MD70RLT pump, IMO, deltec will blow becket injector skimmer out of the water . If you click onto my redhouse, i have ran 4 different skimmers, Euro Reef RC 500 with the third pump Mod, Dual H&S eheim pump with DIY protein skimmer body, MR3 w/dual injector, and BK400ext. My friend Skairik (Erik) own Deltect AP 702, another friend own Deltec 902 and Saurus (Clint) own H&S A-200 2x1260.

Like Hop said "both have pro's and Con's". Becket skimmer require more tuning, loud, higher electrical usage, not as efficient as NW skimmer, the size of the bubble is most important JMO.

I know lots of folks out there ran larger becket skimmer and they are very happy with it. also know a few who switch over to NW from becket

[HippieSmell]

I have an MR-2 that I love, and I find it hard to believe that the MR-4 won't handle your size tank with ease. I've never used a good NW, but the versatility of a beckett with a pressure rated pump is great.

[mburnickas]

Originally posted by Hop
I would say it's apples and oranges. Both have pro's and cons. I still believe that when you hit the 1000 gallon barrier, the efficiency becomes a minor issue

I agree. For me, the deltec looks muc "cleaner" then MRC. I would look at ,same as you, efficiency, how easy to clean etc.

[Corn]

that is what I was thinking I to have gone through a ton of skimmers in my day but the only problem with deltec is that if a part breaks then they are so $$$. for one pump that my friend had break it was 500 for the replacement and it was a mod ehime pump.

[Corn]

reefer how is the bubble king?

[mburnickas]

The is one issue here. What happens down the road. The purchase price is like 40% of the total price. How easy for parts, price of parts, watts of pump, longevity of pump....

[Corn]

I would agree with you mike if there parts brake all the time and cost 500 for a replacement then the energy saving will not off set the cost of running the bigger pump.

[cweder]

This would be very interesting to know purely from a skimming production point of view. I have an MR-4 and would love to have a quieter more energy efficient skimmer, but I am looking into a Bubble Master 250. Deltec too pricey for me.

[bernie lyons]

I've owned several very high end skimmers in 15 years and the two very best were the H&S 450 external ( 5x eheim pumps /pinwheel) and the MTC HSA-3000 dual beckett.
As far as bubble size the H&S does produce a smaller bubble but the water turnover rate per hour was certainly not as high as the MTC dual beckett . To compare which is better , well let me put some perspective on this : The Very large H&S 450 skimmer has 5 eheim pumps that run at 65watts per pump which equals 325 watts total . The MTC HSA-3000 dual beckett ran on an Iwaki 70 RLT pump which produced 275 watts total . So the beckett ran a little bit more effiecently in terms of hydro . Each skimmer was rated to handle over a 1000 gallon systems that are heavily loaded . In terms of effective skimming well , I once replaced the MTC dual beckett with an 4ft air driven ( 3 -air diffusers ) skimmer for experimental reasons to see whether or not the super fine bubbles from the air driven skimmer would provide a better skim . The system at the time was 260 gallons in total .
Well after two weeks of running my 4ft air driven skimmer on my system it was obviously apparent that it could not keep the tank anywhere as clean and healthy as the big dual beckett skimmer. So off came the air driven skimmer and I set up the MTC beckett back up again !!! Now if bubble size was the only criteria in judging what is considered a more efficient skimmer or a better performing skimmer than we are overlooking other aspects of what makes a skimmer perform well . There is NO dispute as to the FACT that air driven skimmers produce the SMALLEST BUBBLE size of ANY skimmer . including ALL types of pinwheel designs out there (bubble king included) !!! So why did my dual beckett outperfrom my air driven skimmer ? Well , water turnover rate , turbulence at the seperation point at the neck where the foam fractionization takes place , and construction all have a say in building an efficient skimmer design .
So the question is : which is a better skimmer, a deltec or a beckett ? Depends on the overall design and every manufacter has some good designs in their line up and some dogs !
Personally from my experience I would consider the large H&S pinwheel or the dual beckett from MTC !
Cheers
bernie lyons

[Corn]

I just wanted to thank all of you that have posted for you input and knowledge. for me this has been one of the most stimulating threads that I have posted/read in a long time.
Matt.

[Corn]

one thing that I would like is a skimmer in is one that you will not have to mess around with all the time. what I mean is that I will not have to clean ever time that I do a water change. one that the pump clean and most important a reliable skimmer.
Matt

[Jar*Head]

Corn, if you worry about the cost of the replacement pump, go with H&S. Better quality, cost less and same performance.

My BK did a good job keeping my SPS healthy and happy. It using 58w.

Bernie, i agree with you on the turnover rate and better gas exchange. My MR3 also 48" tall with dual injector, also ran by MD70RLT. The only thing i don't like about the skimmer is loud and required more tuning than NW skimmer. Unless HSA is better design or more efficient then MRC skimmer.

[UCanDoIt]

Corn, if you're considering a Deltec, go with H&S instead, better quality built, less expensive replacement parts, 2 year warranty, consistent good customer service. Price is just a little less for the models that you might be considering.

If you want to go with BK, it is recognized as one of the best needlewheel skimmers ever built. But if you think Deltec replacement parts are expensive, BK is out of this world to replace their pumps. I think reefer14 is selling his BK, that's if it isn't already sold.

You should take a serious look at Bubblemaster as it is a new kid on the block, but performance and operating specs is outrageous. Pricing is extremely good for what it can do.

[Jar*Head]

Did i say i want to sell my BK? hehehehe, i was just kidding buddy. I am going to buy the DC pump as soon as it become available for US version.

I agree with ucandoit, replacement for the RD is crazy. My pump cost $1379 shipped.

[MrPike]

I have setup and maintained 3 MRC skimmers, 1 MR2, MR3, and an MR4. I have to say I am frustrated by how much time they take to properly maintain. On the other hand, I have recently modded an ASM with a meshwheel, and its pulling about the same air as a deltec does(apparently). If the deltecs pull anywhere near the same quality of skimmmate as this tiny modded G2, then I think your better off with a deltec.

Nothing against the MRC skimmers, I think for the price they are one of the best options.

[Jar*Head]

Originally posted by MrPike
I have setup and maintained 3 MRC skimmers, 1 MR2, MR3, and an MR4. I have to say I am frustrated by how much time they take to properly maintain. On the other hand, I have recently modded an ASM with a meshwheel, and its pulling about the same air as a deltec does(apparently). If the deltecs pull anywhere near the same quality of skimmmate as this tiny modded G2, then I think your better off with a deltec.

Nothing against the MRC skimmers, I think for the price they are one of the best options.

I feel your pain buddy. The water level, bubble quality never be the same

[bernie lyons]

reefer714 , the MTC beckett designs are easy to adjust and more importantly stays set up compared to the mrc becketts . As far as the noise is concerned I used simple pieces of sponge to muffle the injectors and it worked quite well .
The H&S as everyone agree's is the better buy compared to the deltec skimmers and is certainly better built !
Cheers
bernie lyons

[Jar*Head]

Man, i love the H&S A-450. If electricity aren't too darn expensive in CA. I would go with it instead. Here is my baby after 3 days of skimming.

Got nog?

[Jar*Head]

Here is my DIY skimmer body with dual H&S pump


24hrs later


The protein skimmer is 28" tall including collection cup. 6.5" neck, 9" OD main chamber