What is the best HOB for your buck?

I have only ever used the reef octopus bh100f.

since i have no point of comparison, my views aren't fair.

Having said that, I would never recommend this skimmer.


My main issues are that I have to take the pump out every 4 months or so to clean it of Ca deposits or it will quit working and also that it is very loud compared to others I have seen in action.

 

another Deltec MCE600 vote from me
or 2 votes , as I have owned 2, the 1st one being reason enough to look no further when purchasing a second HOB

Steve

 

I have only used an eshopps PSK-200 and it's also a monster at its job
.
Pros:
- Great skimming (dry or wet) little
- Very little adjustments needed
- Once broken into, it emits extremely little micro bubbles that will never get in your tank.
- The pump in it is virtually silent (I don't know the brand)

Cons:
- Bulky as hell. The pump is placed next to the reaction chamber by an elbow, making the footprint 17.5" x 9"
- The pump has a pinwheel design and I had to replace it after 4 months of use. New one has been holding up very well though.
- No drain hose for collection cup.
- When turned off and back on, you need to blow on the air intake to get the bubbles started.
- If you're not a skimmer savy or never see a skimmer working, the fact that it comes without almost any assembly instructions makes it frustrating.

All together and since I don't have any other point of comparison, I would say it's working more than well for me. For the money I've spent on it, it's doing a great job. and I empty the cup every 2 times a week.
Being that I don't have anything to compare it with, I won't cast a vote on this one.


I hope this helps somebody.

- Mag.

 

+100 after running my Deltec for only a few days it absolutely destroys the performance of my Remora. It has made my water crystal clear (was always a bit hazy with my Remora from the sides) in hours and also took off the surface protein that was always present. I am getting a nice 1/2 cup of skimmate every few days whereas my Remora would take 2 weeks to get the same amount. It's absolutely worth the high price tag, so happy I got it.

No offense to Remoras but if it's all you know, you don't know what you're missing, as I thought mine was "good" now realizing how weak it was compared to a Deltec. It's pretty damn cool to actually get what you pay for!

 

+1 I run the bh100f model on my 55 sps dom reef, and when I get my overflow going again on my 46BF too.