MCE300.......... hate it

[Major Stare]

I upgraded in the new year to a Deltec MCE300.

Problems to date.........
(1)Micro Bubbles in the tank, my tank is always full of micro bubbles.
(2)Return plate is useless, did Deltec give up designing at that point?
(3)Inlet pipe sucks in air and looses it efficiency.
(4)In the event of a power cut, the skimmer will not self prime and start.
(5)Cleaning the collection cup is easy but where it fits is always full of waste and this is impossible to remove, thus reducing the efficiency of the skimmer.
(6)It doesnt actually remove that much waste.

I hate it, i hate it, i hate it.

Anyone else had these problems?

[arrows]

I have the MCE 600 and done the following to improve it,

(1)Micro Bubbles in the tank, my tank is always full of micro bubbles.
Turn down your air tube, this may well help to stop this.

(2)Return plate is useless, did Deltec give up designing at that point?
I removed mine and fitted a 90 elbow and some pipe so water discharges just on the water surface.

(3)Inlet pipe sucks in air and looses it efficiency.
Is the pipe inlet well below the water surface and if it is then one of the fittings is loose this should not happen.

(4)In the event of a power cut, the skimmer will not self prime and start.
It will stop if your inlet issues are solved, it should self prime.

(5)Cleaning the collection cup is easy but where it fits is always full of waste and this is impossible to remove, thus reducing the efficiency of the skimmer.
Turn off the skimmer and let the water level drop then get an old tooth brush or bottle brush in there and give it a good clean, you need to keep this clean for the skimmer to work at its best.

(6)It doesnt actually remove that much waste.
Probably down to your issue with number 5


It should be an effective little unit and i am sure once you have got on top of your issues your start to like it, good luck but if you want any more assistance do not be afraid to ask.

[quebee2006]

Originally Posted by Major Stare

I upgraded in the new year to a Deltec MCE300.

Problems to date.........
(1)Micro Bubbles in the tank, my tank is always full of micro bubbles.
(2)Return plate is useless, did Deltec give up designing at that point?
(3)Inlet pipe sucks in air and looses it efficiency.
(4)In the event of a power cut, the skimmer will not self prime and start.
(5)Cleaning the collection cup is easy but where it fits is always full of waste and this is impossible to remove, thus reducing the efficiency of the skimmer.
(6)It doesnt actually remove that much waste.

I hate it, i hate it, i hate it.

Anyone else had these problems?

got to agree with you a bit.
1) i fitted a micro bag over the degassing plate which stopped all bubbles.
2) yes degassing plate is worse than useless.
3) found if i let all air out of the skimmer including the big chamber it didnt get clogged with air, but yes i had/have the same problem till i realised this.
4) agree
5) i manage to remove all the waste and have never had a problem removing it either although i do have to twist my hand right round which can be difficult.
6) got to agree with you there, i have to clean mine every 2 days or it stops skimming.

however i have had 3 skimmers on my tanks and the mce300 being the best out of v2 400skimmer and a prizm skimmer.

what did you upgrade to? i was thinking of upgrading also as i dont think this is such a great skimmer when i have seen others pull out masses of muck.

i am considering buying the mce600 which seems to have some good reviews.

i have the mce300 on 240litre tank.

infact i am unsure if its good or not. needs a lot of tweaking, its a pain the the bum when doing water changes as i have to fill it back up cause the water level drops so low it virtually empties. i do get lots and lots bubbles but think the collection cup could be better designed to collect better.

[Major Stare]

Cheers guys,

Im going to strip it down tomorrow and fully clean it. Then try and stop the micro bubbles in the tank

I upgraded to the MCE300 from an AquaMedic Bio star. Before that i had an MCE600 which i also hated (spent more time at Deltec than in my tank)and before that a Prizm

The skimmer hangs on the back of my Jewel Vision 180.

[arrows]

jon,

Stick with it mate, if you get it cleaned and set up correctly your have a very effective unit for your tank.

[quebee2006]

i have a microbag with phosphate remover in it, the degassing plate is pushed into the bag with all of the media at the back of the plate, i then put the plate in and then used an elastic band to attach the bag to the tube which the degassing plate sticks into. you need to ensure that the bag is quite free at the back so the water kind of free falls into the media. if the bag is close to the degassing plate you get a trickle.

hope that makes sense.

oh and leave the skimmer running without air for a good 5-10 mins so all air is pushed out of the whole skimmer. fixes the bubbles collecting in the inlet pipe.

[Bradden]

Sorry to heard you're not happy with the skimmer. I was thinking of upgrading my Chromis with one.

If you want to get rind of it I'll make you an offer

[MrFish]

Originally Posted by Major Stare

I upgraded in the new year to a Deltec MCE300.

Problems to date.........
(1)Micro Bubbles in the tank, my tank is always full of micro bubbles.
(2)Return plate is useless, did Deltec give up designing at that point?
(3)Inlet pipe sucks in air and looses it efficiency.
(4)In the event of a power cut, the skimmer will not self prime and start.
(5)Cleaning the collection cup is easy but where it fits is always full of waste and this is impossible to remove, thus reducing the efficiency of the skimmer.
(6)It doesnt actually remove that much waste.

I hate it, i hate it, i hate it.

Anyone else had these problems?

1 - I can't get rid of mine, I run the output over floss now which gets rid of most but not all.
2 - True, it does nothing
3 - Mine doesn't have this problem.
4 - Mine does, it must be your air leak causing it.
5 - I use a large diameter pipe cleaner brush to clean down inside.
6 - Mine removes loads.

You need to set the air flow up correctly though, and keep an eye on it, adjusting if required, just as any skimmer or it won't work very efficiently.

I'm pleased with mine apart from the micro bubbles.

[ickypimp]

i found my 600 needed alot of tweaking in the week following comissioning....finding the right air and cup height combo to bet the perfect skimmate is tough but once dialled in it is a belting bit of kit... love mine

[mikk1301]

hey jon my v2 400 is going spare ow the 8fter is up and running,£40 quid to you or a hotel/motel room