WARNING Juwel tank and Deltec MC500 skimmer

stoneage

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Mar 2, 2003
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I recently bought a Deltec MC500 skimmer because all the adverts claim its specifically designed for a Juwel tank and I already knew that fitting a skimmer was going to be a problem after trying and failing to fit a Red Sea Prism model. Unfortunatley the Deltec skimmer is just as difficult to fit, if you have kept the Juwel filter in place you can only fit the skimmer on the left hand side of the tank, also due to the way it sits above the level of the top of the tank it wont fit down the left hand side because of the lighting unit. This leaves one only one postion it can posible be fitted, ie along the back of the tabk on left hand side, unfortunatley this position is occupied by the pipes to an external filter which cant be repositioned. Even if I wanted to install it in this position I would have to cut a large hole 8 inches by 2 inches in the plastic lid to do it. This effectively means I have wasted my money :mad2
 
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Here is a pic of my Juwel tank, 3 weeks ago, I have the Red Sea skimmer but bought an expensive light unit instead of using the one which came with my tank, the skimmer would not of fitted with the original hood without some modification(hacksaw) LOL. Think it looks better TBH

DSC00746.jpg


80/100LB of live rock later looks much better now :D
 
lampshade said:
Here is a pic of my Juwel tank, 3 weeks ago, I have the Red Sea skimmer but bought an expensive light unit instead of using the one which came with my tank, the skimmer would not of fitted with the original hood without some modification(hacksaw) LOL. Think it looks better TBH

DSC00746.jpg


80/100LB of live rock later looks much better now :D

Cant say I ever heard of them and ive been reefing for a long time.Must be a local thing. What type of corals are you planning to keep?
 
Juwel tanks are a German design they are very popular freshwater tanks in Europe. Unfortunately they are not designed for marine use and are sold as complete freshwater units which the casual aquarist won't need to upgade.
There are obviously ways I could install the skimmer with a lot of cutting and repositioning, due to this being a retrofit but its the fact the advert implies that the skimmer is Juwel compatable that is really annoying me.

Mine is the Vision 260
http://www.theaquariumshop.co.uk/ishop/1029/shopscr58.html
 
I've modded a couple of juwel tanks, and invariably end up using an electric saw at one point. Upgrading the lighting to T5 used to cause absolute hell, but the newer light bars make life much easier
 
I have a Jewel tank at home and have tried a Deltec MC600 but am currently running a MC500 on it and its working just fine for me. normally they suggust removing the internal filter, but I have kept mine in cause I want the powerhead. I found the tank needed very little adaptation, just a small cut out in the lid, which surley all tanks need some sort of adaptation to accomodate skimmers, filters etc. I will try and take some pics tonight to show you how mine is rigged up.
 
Actually, having looked at your pic, why dont you use the MC 600 HOT skimmer, as you have no lid on your tank anyway, you can fit one of those wherever you like on the outside and you wouldnt have to adapt your tank in anyway.
 
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