Skimmer Thread

[jawwad2004]

Damn, I have been following this DAS craziness for quite some time. Doesn't seem worth getting. Just go with the deltecs.

 

[jackson6745]

I miss my beckett

 

[cali_reef]

I miss my beckett

I know someone with a small Barr single beckett you can kiss.

 

[cali_reef]

One more shot for DAS!!

Yeah you should be getting a skimmer that works and some money back as well for all of your trouble.

Third skimmer body should be on the way tonight. I feel I need to give them a chance to proof them selfs, this crack body is not 100% their fault. Anyone can screw up but not everyone can admit to it and make it right, Johan from DAS is trying to make it right. I gave MRC the same latitude but Andy and his local dealer didn't make it right, worst yet, they decided to lie about it.

 

[cali_reef]

Damn, I have been following this DAS craziness for quite some time. Doesn't seem worth getting. Just go with the deltecs.

I have a problem giving Doug twice the amount I am paying for the EX-3 for small performance gain. The idea of paying $380 premium on a "modified" $120 Eheims 1260 motor without an explanation what the modifications are just kills me. I had a none modify 1260 on my AP701 and I really can't see the $380 improvement. The AP902 I would get have 2X of this mystery "modified" pump :headache: . Deltec does have a better quality skimmer body and will perform better because some slight differences, I will try to incorporate those difference on the DAS when I get one that is acceptable(= not broken).

 

[spykes]

perice good luck man. DAS isnt that bad but i dont know you can modify a ehiem. I think your paying 2x more for the NW they slap on it.

 

[Pedro]

With all the exposure this issue has gotten, i would be very very surprised if anything is wrong with this one. I would imagine that the top dog himself certified this one. Good luck.

 

[alrha]

personally, i wouldnt mind paying more for the peace of mind of knowing that everything is optimal quality and works as efficiently as possible.

I am considering a Deltec myself, but wonder if i should wait for the Tunze Master DOC skimmers as they may be quieter and use less wattage.

 

[jawwad2004]

I have a problem giving Doug twice the amount I am paying for the EX-3 for small performance gain. The idea of paying $380 premium on a "modified" $120 Eheims 1260 motor without an explanation what the modifications are just kills me. I had a none modify 1260 on my AP701 and I really can't see the $380 improvement. The AP902 I would get have 2X of this mystery "modified" pump :headache: . Deltec does have a better quality skimmer body and will perform better because some slight differences, I will try to incorporate those difference on the DAS when I get one that is acceptable(= not broken).

I totally understand you. Trust me, forking over 850 big ones for my apf600 was no easy task. Ive been through about 5 skimmers until I hit the deltec, and honestly Im never going back to anything less. Even though there is dremel work done on the eheims, and you're probably right that a $380 premium is no way justifiable, but the peace of mind with deltec's customer service and the fact that the body's have better craftsmanship, it makes it all worth it. I also think that Deltecs are like houses, they grow in value! Think about it, Deltec's raised their prices in about feb, and I wont be surprised if they do it again in the next six months. So basically what I am trying to say here is that resale value of the skimmer is great and constantly growing.

 

[cali_reef]

perice good luck man. DAS isnt that bad but i dont know you can modify a ehiem. I think your paying 2x more for the NW they slap on it.

There is nothing special about the needle wheel, it is a plastic needle wheel with a few pins cut off for the US, the european magnet carries the same part number. The 1260 actually uses a forward shaft plate from a 1262, essentially making it a 1262 since both water pumps uses the same magnet but different intake\shaft plate. The only mystery mod I can see on the my Deltec 1260 is the outlet port has been grind down for a smoother flow, anyone can do that with a dremal and should not cost $380.

 

[cali_reef]

I also think that Deltecs are like houses, they grow in value! Think about it, Deltec's raised their prices in about feb, and I wont be surprised if they do it again in the next six months. So basically what I am trying to say here is that resale value of the skimmer is great and constantly growing.

I don't plan on making money from my hobby, this is truly a hobby for me. I spent 8 hours a day at work(minus a few hours spent on RC and MR) analyzing and planning residual values on airplanes, the last thing I want to do is to come home and justify the extra money spent on a skimmer by planning how much I can get back when it doesn't work out for me.

The DAS is basically a copy of a AP702 with a 8" diameter chamber but few inches taller, pretty close in total water volume. It uses three Aqua bee 2000/1 pumps with needle wheel and a venturi like the APF600. The body is made from extruded acrylic and the same thickness ABS is used for the base, neck, and the flange and lid on the cup as the Deltec. The cup disconnect fitting is almost identical to the AP701 I have, but larger. One thing the DAS don't have is a 45 deg Ell on the outlet of each needle wheel pump in the skimmer body like the Deltec, this will help to fill more of the skimmer body with little bubbles. I will pick up three of those to make it even more like a Deltec at a much cheaper price.

YES!! the glue joints suck and I hope they don't leak, the acrylic is also not as nice and strong as the Deltec. But if it performs close to a Deltec than does the poor glue joint justify the almost $1,000 price difference? I can buy a spare collection cup for less than $50 while Deltec charges hundreds for a much smaller cup on a APF600. I think Doug needs to get a better contract with Deltec directly and cut Saxby's hands off from the US hobbyist.

 

[jawwad2004]

Hahaha @ your last paragraph.

I mentioned the resale value just in case you wanted to upgrade to a larger skimmer.
Honestly, I do agree that Deltec USA is raping the hobbyists by charging so much money. Obviously more people would go with the deltecs if they were cheaper, but I guess deltecUSA feels that they cater to "high class" hobbyists and want to maintain that image.

In all honesty, Im glad DAS is allowed to make something similar to the deltecs. It give us, the consumer a break and variety.

 

[Jonathan]

well said cali reef.
how tall is the ex3?
has anybody used a dwyer airmeter on one the DAS skimmer pumps? if so how much air is it drawing?

what is saxby's relation to deltec? owner? mega dealer?

 

[alrha]

whatever it is, i'm sure he's making a shiny penny on it.

 

[Pedro]

Anybodu know where i can order the dwyer air meters? I went to their site but there were all kinds of different meters. I just want to one commonly used on skimmers. Give me a direct link if you have it. Thanks.

 

[jhale]

the DAS do have crappy joints, and cheap extruded acylic, but the ex-2 I got works just fine. and the area that gets the most use, the connection of the cup to the body is very strong and well made. if there is a need you can also order spare parts for the DAS from petorama.net I looked and the parts are very inexpensive.

 

[stingnyc]

Anybodu know where i can order the dwyer air meters? I went to their site but there were all kinds of different meters. I just want to one commonly used on skimmers. Give me a direct link if you have it. Thanks.

Pedro,

Do a search on RC. Some guy is selling used ones for $12 or 15 shipped.

-Steve

 

[scarf_ace1981]

euroreef ES5-2. it has a sedra rated for 350gph. i want something stronger, what do you guys suggest?

:help: pedro said it's fine w/ this pump but i figured it can kick a little more ass

 

[Pedro]

For anybody else that is interested, here is the airflow meter.

http://www.dwyer-inst.com/htdocs/flow/SeriesRMPrice.cfm

Here's also an interesting thread to get an idea of foam level within the skimmer.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=818119&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

For those who have trouble searching RC, try this.

http://reefcentral.com/search.php?menu=11

 

[Jonathan]

here's a thread that tells you the air meter you need and the fitting to connect it to airline.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=835776