Wife gave me the Ok to buy a new skimmer.....now which on?

[frizzo1983]

Well if you consider changing your cup once every 2 weeks a lot I guess so but last time I checked that is just regular routine maintenance!!! With the new controllable pump and the simple fact that it is not sicce that is a huge cost saving. I cant even tell you how many sicce pumps have been replaced on skimmers. And im sorry to say this but typically all product that are made in Germany will always stand the test of time. Although BK skimmers are in fact extreamly good skimmers god help your wallet if you ever have to replace any pieces in that pump. If you compare pricepoint to say deltec bk this skimmer will compete and probably out perform.

[sphelps]

I personally hate the SM300, the 250 is a much more stable skimmer. I swear the 300 was originally designed for one pump but later discovered it needed more punch so they threw on a second dinky pump help out. The result seems to be inconsistent water level probably relating to the smaller pump not handling the head pressure from the large skimmer. Three people I know personally with this skimmer had this issue. It's footprint is also pretty ridiculous.

Any skimmer with two or more pumps is simply a shortcut around producing the right pump for the body.

The way the market is trending I personally wouldn't invest in a new skimmer that doesn't use a DC pump.

[Skimmerking]

Originally Posted by sphelps

I personally hate the SM300, the 250 is a much more stable skimmer. I swear the 300 was originally designed for one pump but later discovered it needed more punch so they threw on a second dinky pump help out. The result seems to be inconsistent water level probably relating to the smaller pump not handling the head pressure from the large skimmer. Three people I know personally with this skimmer had this issue. It's footprint is also pretty ridiculous.

Any skimmer with two or more pumps is simply a shortcut around producing the right pump for the body.

The way the market is trending I personally wouldn't invest in a new skimmer that doesn't use a DC pump.

good answer
However Steve look at the Deltec like the 701 with a single pump,
702 with a dual pump a amazing skimmer too.

the BK 300 Ext uses the 2500 pump I believe and has only the 1 pumps the internal one has 2 pumps doesn't make sense.
any of the deluxe models uses the RD 2000 and the RD 2500 200,300 ,400 Deluxe Int and EXt

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by Skimmer King

good answer
However Steve look at the Deltec like the 701 with a single pump,
702 with a dual pump a amazing skimmer too.

the BK 300 Ext uses the 2500 pump I believe and has only the 1 pumps the internal one has 2 pumps doesn't make sense.
any of the deluxe models uses the RD 2000 and the RD 2500 200,300 ,400 Deluxe Int and EXt

I was referring to the super marine 300 which is an internal. I assumed that's the model you were referring to as that's what Doug was using last time I checked. The deluxe models are different but these days a little outdated to be purchased new for that kind of money.

I don't want to say too much on the deltecs but personally don't have the same feelings for them as you. The 702 breaks two of the rules I already mentioned as well as uses an outdated design. My hands on experience with the deltecs is the build quality lacks, supporting large pumps on the thin extruded plastic shell is a failure waiting to happen. I repaired a few units back in my aquarium biz days. Not sure if much has changed since then.

[lastlight]

not much has changed. their new pumps are total garbage. build quality of any bk and also my low end vertex omega are leaps and bounds beyond the old and also the new 'high end' deltecs. same extruded materials i had on my very first skimmer (asm)