Are Deltec skimmers really worth the $$$?

cato · 06/01/2006, 12:41 PM

Are Deltec skimmers really worth the $$$? Or is there an equivalent cheaper alternative?

old salty · 06/01/2006, 02:09 PM

You should check out the Deltec forums for more answers. I plunked down many hundreds of dollars for a Deltec skimmer and am very happy with it. Is it "worth" it?? To me it is, but money is so relative.

I do believe that there are lower cost units which will offer similar performance, though I have no experience with them. There are a lot of Deltec owners who have purchased several skimmers who are probably a better source of info for this.

gcarroll · 06/01/2006, 02:11 PM

It is a well made product. Can't say if it is worth it. The H&S is a simular product with a slightly lower price. Other NW skimmers are comparible but the Eheim pump appears to be the secret behind the skimmer.

unmc2001 · 06/01/2006, 03:58 PM

I really debated this too because they are expensive. I found an MC500 in the for sale forum for $335 shipped and decided to give it a try. It has done wonders for my tank and this is the smallest and cheapest deltec. So I would say it was worth it but there could be cheaper skimmers out there that perform similar. The pumps and needle wheel are what make them work so good. Very well made product!

fishaholic911 · 06/03/2006, 10:12 AM

I love my ap600

BreadmanMike · 06/03/2006, 10:15 AM

I posted this in another thread last night... I love my skimmer!

Quote:

Originally posted by Aquaticman74
FWIW,

This is what my AP851 pulls out every 12 hours or so. This is plumbed off one of my overflow's on my BB 125 sps tank. I also have a BB 65 plumbed into this setup which holds a few LPS one RBTA and 5 clams.

The fish consist of:

2 Black Onyx Perc's
1 Chevron Tang
1 Red Sea Sailfin Tang
1 Longnose Hawkfish
1 Flame Hawkfish
1 Arceye Hawkfish
1 6 Line Wrasse
1 African Blueline Clownfish
1 Blue Hippo Tang
1 Starkii Damsel

Inverts:
10 Mexican Turbo's
10 Astrea's
20 Cerith's
1 Peppermint Shrimp
1 Cleaner Shrimp

This is a view of the skimmer(saltwater and metal blinds don't mix... please ignore my rusty blinds...)

RichConley · 06/03/2006, 11:20 AM

My tiny little turboflotor pulls out about hte same...and I have half as many fish...

BreadmanMike · 06/03/2006, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley
My tiny little turboflotor pulls out about hte same...and I have half as many fish...

your turbofloater's cup must fill up every two hours then....

unmc2001 · 06/03/2006, 12:06 PM

It is not always the amount that a skimmer pulls out but what is in the skimmate. I used to get quite a bit of skimmate with my remora pro but the skimmate didn't stink nearly as much as the deltec skimmate. When I empty my MC500 it stinks up the room and makes it smell like a raw sewage. This was the biggest difference for me when I switch. I get a lot of complaints from the wife which never happend with my remora pro.

mattseattle · 06/03/2006, 12:10 PM

I just bought a Deltec APF600 and it's worth every penny. I have it hooked up to my overflow and it started skimming 20 minutes after I hooked it up and has not stopped skimming since....well only when cleaning it!

so yeah I think it's worth the cost. I've owned Euro-Reef's and other skimmers and none compare to this...but then again I have not owned a H&S skimmer which they say is almost as good.

moonpod · 06/03/2006, 12:55 PM

The "is it worth it" question is fundamentally a matter of opinion. People who have 'em and love 'em will say yes. People who haven't used them or won't pony up will say no. There are always 6 ways to skin the cat and none of them are necessarily "wrong" or "the only way". Do Deltec skimmers work? Darn tootin. They work very, very well. Most Deltec users have tried "the alternatives" and you don't see 'em going back. It's not like you can't sell 'em used and get a good chunk of your investment back.....

That being said, there will always be beckett fans, spray induction fans etc....that's why there is a marketplace.

jallen1964 · 06/03/2006, 02:01 PM

very true moonpod, I love my $200 remora pro, but who knows, when it breaks I might like a $400 deltec. I just spent $700 on new lights. Isn't spending money what this hobby is all about

flyingpolarbear · 06/03/2006, 03:25 PM

I have an AquaC EV-180 and it skims in fits and spurts. Very unpredictable like a cat. Sometimes I wonder if I should have bought a Deltec instead. However, I think the Deltecs are overpriced due to the weak dollar relative to the Euro, costs added for international distribution, etc.

I had a turboflotor for five years prior, and it worked pretty well, but the air line would get plugged up with salt every week.

Right now there does not seem to be any great skimmer on the market (performance at a decent price). It seems that the market is ready for a new model. Maybe something will emerge.

RichConley · 06/03/2006, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by flyingpolarbear
I have an AquaC EV-180 and it skims in fits and spurts. Very unpredictable like a cat. Sometimes I wonder if I should have bought a Deltec instead. However, I think the Deltecs are overpriced due to the weak dollar relative to the Euro, costs added for international distribution, etc.

I had a turboflotor for five years prior, and it worked pretty well, but the air line would get plugged up with salt every week.

Right now there does not seem to be any great skimmer on the market (performance at a decent price). It seems that the market is ready for a new model. Maybe something will emerge.

There are plenty of really nice skimmers out there for cheap money. I've seen $400 chinese skimmers that will skim the pants off of a $1000 deltec. The problem is, theyre $400 for like 3 months, and then the stores realize people want to pay more.

Psionicdragon · 06/03/2006, 05:11 PM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=749634

Should check that thread out before you decide. People are having good results with the clones.

fishaholic911 · 06/03/2006, 10:08 PM

The problem is, theyre $400 for like 3 months, and then the stores realize people want to pay more. [/B][/QUOTE]
What do you mean?

UCanDoIt · 06/07/2006, 06:51 PM

If you're considering Deltec, you won't go wrong. I've owned 3 Deltecs and have been happy with their performance and ease of use. I am referring to the recirculating AP series.

If you want similar performance, but slightly less expensive, H&S is a really good alternative as they use the same exact German made pumps. Stay away from the China pumps as they run hot so they put more heat back in the water as well as pull in less air as compared to the German made equivalents.

With that said, look through the Deltec USA forum and H&S/Fins Reef forum for more information.

Harville · 06/07/2006, 07:01 PM

Yes.

I'd buy it over again....

Bebo77 · 06/07/2006, 09:24 PM

i have a 702 and love it.. it like a honda to a ferrari... both will get you where you want to be but one will do it better then the other...

vanmle · 06/08/2006, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bebo77
i have a 702 and love it.. it like a honda to a ferrari... both will get you where you want to be but one will do it better then the other...

Yes, the Honda will get you there more often than the Ferrari will.

s3aL · 06/08/2006, 02:02 AM

I was abit skeptical at first with the price/quality of deltec. Not everyone can easily spend 500-1000 bucks on a skimmer without feeling abit "robbed". But I "ponied" up and went with deltec and would never go back to anything else. When I upgrade to a larger reef some day and its time to upgrade to a bigger skimmer, Deltec will be my #1 choice again.

-=DieselDave=- · 06/08/2006, 07:38 AM

I will say that it is the best performing skimmer that I have owned (AP701). I will also say that my older Euro reef skimmer that does not perform even 1/5th as well as the Deltec, is a better feeling build quality.
Just my cent,
David

sean_nj · 06/08/2006, 09:06 AM

It really depends on how much you pay for it. I bought a APF600 a little over 2 years ago for $557 shipped. I bought it because it was cheaper than an external EuroReef CS8-2 two years ago. At that time, I upgraded from MR-2, and did not know Deltec performance better than EuroReef.

I sold it 3 months ago for $500 when I upgraded to H&S A200 2x1260. So I paid $60 for 2 years of usage.

Sean

06/01/2006, 02:09 PM	#2
old salty Genius Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Island of Misfit Toys Posts: 3,131	You should check out the Deltec forums for more answers. I plunked down many hundreds of dollars for a Deltec skimmer and am very happy with it. Is it "worth" it?? To me it is, but money is so relative. I do believe that there are lower cost units which will offer similar performance, though I have no experience with them. There are a lot of Deltec owners who have purchased several skimmers who are probably a better source of info for this. __________________ "The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers." Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: Out of the marine aquarium hobby

06/01/2006, 02:11 PM	#3
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	It is a well made product. Can't say if it is worth it. The H&S is a simular product with a slightly lower price. Other NW skimmers are comparible but the Eheim pump appears to be the secret behind the skimmer. __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ...

06/03/2006, 10:12 AM	#5
fishaholic911 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 2,822	I love my ap600 __________________ happiness is like peeing in your pants everyone can see it, but no one feels the warmth as you do. Current Tank Info: 80 gallon, vertex 150 skimmer, 2 mars aqua 165 watt leds and 2MP40WQD

06/03/2006, 11:20 AM	#7
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	My tiny little turboflotor pulls out about hte same...and I have half as many fish... __________________ NO TANKS!!!

06/03/2006, 12:55 PM	#11
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	The "is it worth it" question is fundamentally a matter of opinion. People who have 'em and love 'em will say yes. People who haven't used them or won't pony up will say no. There are always 6 ways to skin the cat and none of them are necessarily "wrong" or "the only way". Do Deltec skimmers work? Darn tootin. They work very, very well. Most Deltec users have tried "the alternatives" and you don't see 'em going back. It's not like you can't sell 'em used and get a good chunk of your investment back..... That being said, there will always be beckett fans, spray induction fans etc....that's why there is a marketplace. __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

06/01/2006, 12:41 PM	#1
cato New England Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CT Posts: 5,450	Are Deltec skimmers really worth the $$$? Are Deltec skimmers really worth the $$$? Or is there an equivalent cheaper alternative? __________________ -Cato I swear it's an illness... Current Tank Info: On Hiatus

06/01/2006, 03:58 PM	#4
unmc2001 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 301	I really debated this too because they are expensive. I found an MC500 in the for sale forum for $335 shipped and decided to give it a try. It has done wonders for my tank and this is the smallest and cheapest deltec. So I would say it was worth it but there could be cheaper skimmers out there that perform similar. The pumps and needle wheel are what make them work so good. Very well made product!

06/03/2006, 12:06 PM	#9
unmc2001 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 301	It is not always the amount that a skimmer pulls out but what is in the skimmate. I used to get quite a bit of skimmate with my remora pro but the skimmate didn't stink nearly as much as the deltec skimmate. When I empty my MC500 it stinks up the room and makes it smell like a raw sewage. This was the biggest difference for me when I switch. I get a lot of complaints from the wife which never happend with my remora pro.

06/03/2006, 12:10 PM	#10
mattseattle Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: seattle Posts: 1,332	I just bought a Deltec APF600 and it's worth every penny. I have it hooked up to my overflow and it started skimming 20 minutes after I hooked it up and has not stopped skimming since....well only when cleaning it! so yeah I think it's worth the cost. I've owned Euro-Reef's and other skimmers and none compare to this...but then again I have not owned a H&S skimmer which they say is almost as good.

06/03/2006, 02:01 PM	#12
jallen1964 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 49	very true moonpod, I love my $200 remora pro, but who knows, when it breaks I might like a $400 deltec. I just spent $700 on new lights. Isn't spending money what this hobby is all about __________________ over my head Current Tank Info: 130gal. TBS

06/03/2006, 03:25 PM	#13
flyingpolarbear Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Fullerton, CA Posts: 209	I have an AquaC EV-180 and it skims in fits and spurts. Very unpredictable like a cat. Sometimes I wonder if I should have bought a Deltec instead. However, I think the Deltecs are overpriced due to the weak dollar relative to the Euro, costs added for international distribution, etc. I had a turboflotor for five years prior, and it worked pretty well, but the air line would get plugged up with salt every week. Right now there does not seem to be any great skimmer on the market (performance at a decent price). It seems that the market is ready for a new model. Maybe something will emerge.

06/03/2006, 05:11 PM	#15
Psionicdragon Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 3,727	http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=749634 Should check that thread out before you decide. People are having good results with the clones. __________________ Economy sucks bad! Lets pray for the best! in the meantime, liquidation!

06/03/2006, 10:08 PM	#16
fishaholic911 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 2,822	The problem is, theyre $400 for like 3 months, and then the stores realize people want to pay more. [/B][/QUOTE] What do you mean? __________________ happiness is like peeing in your pants everyone can see it, but no one feels the warmth as you do. Current Tank Info: 80 gallon, vertex 150 skimmer, 2 mars aqua 165 watt leds and 2MP40WQD

06/07/2006, 06:51 PM	#17
UCanDoIt Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area CA Posts: 1,684	If you're considering Deltec, you won't go wrong. I've owned 3 Deltecs and have been happy with their performance and ease of use. I am referring to the recirculating AP series. If you want similar performance, but slightly less expensive, H&S is a really good alternative as they use the same exact German made pumps. Stay away from the China pumps as they run hot so they put more heat back in the water as well as pull in less air as compared to the German made equivalents. With that said, look through the Deltec USA forum and H&S/Fins Reef forum for more information.

06/07/2006, 07:01 PM	#18
Harville Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 320	Yes. I'd buy it over again....

06/07/2006, 09:24 PM	#19
Bebo77 Premium Nonpaying Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lost Posts: 14,377	i have a 702 and love it.. it like a honda to a ferrari... both will get you where you want to be but one will do it better then the other... __________________ Gabriel Current Tank Info: 300 Gal Envision Tank(98Lx30Wx26T) 120 Gal SoCalCreations Sump, Deltec TC2560, 2 LumenarcsMini 1 Reg on a light mover W Radiums 250& 400, Gallaxy ballasts, Red Dragon 10m3 return W/ 2 WavySeas, 2 6155 Tunze streams

06/08/2006, 02:02 AM	#21
s3aL Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Fairfield, California Posts: 847	I was abit skeptical at first with the price/quality of deltec. Not everyone can easily spend 500-1000 bucks on a skimmer without feeling abit "robbed". But I "ponied" up and went with deltec and would never go back to anything else. When I upgrade to a larger reef some day and its time to upgrade to a bigger skimmer, Deltec will be my #1 choice again. __________________ 58g oceanic (36x18x21) 36" Aquatinics 2x175w MH 2x39w T5 Deltec MCE600 3x Koralia 3's Litermeter3 Dual stage Ranco controller Matt

06/08/2006, 07:38 AM	#22
-=DieselDave=- King of the brown sticks Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Lake Stevens Posts: 335	I will say that it is the best performing skimmer that I have owned (AP701). I will also say that my older Euro reef skimmer that does not perform even 1/5th as well as the Deltec, is a better feeling build quality. Just my cent, David __________________ Thank you, David Current Tank Info: Elos System 100, Bubble King Mini160,.

06/08/2006, 09:06 AM	#23
sean_nj Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Princeton New Jersey Posts: 466	It really depends on how much you pay for it. I bought a APF600 a little over 2 years ago for $557 shipped. I bought it because it was cheaper than an external EuroReef CS8-2 two years ago. At that time, I upgraded from MR-2, and did not know Deltec performance better than EuroReef. I sold it 3 months ago for $500 when I upgraded to H&S A200 2x1260. So I paid $60 for 2 years of usage. Sean